Initial results of web based blended learning in the field of air cargo security

Abstract

With the currently implemented high standards in passenger screening, air cargo is being perceived as the security chain's weakest link in civil aviation and therefore becomes an attractive target for terrorists. Detailed regulations exist to harden air cargo against terrorist attacks. Blended learning training methods can be used to enable screeners to detect suspicious consignments even in situations when technical measures (e.g. x-ray) do not indicate any threat In this study, blended learning was conducted at a handling agents premises at a Swiss airport in three courses (seven trainees in total) and evaluated subsequently. Results show a very high satisfaction with the training and very high scores in the final exam. However, trainees repeatedly skipped text inside the web based training (WBT) leading to the conclusion that the WBT has to be optimized in terms of presentation modes. Suggestions on how to create even more engaging WBT content can be found in various methods of classification of computer based training (CBT) and are discussed in this paper.