Are there guidelines for creating adaptive and personalized training experiences with DITA in defense?

Creating adaptive and personalized training experiences in the defense sector using DITA involves following specific guidelines to meet the unique needs of learners. Here are the key considerations:

1. Content Chunking: Break down training content into smaller, reusable chunks using DITA topics. This enables content to be more adaptable for different learners and scenarios. For example, in a DITA-based artillery training, each topic could cover a specific artillery piece, making it easier to customize training for different equipment.

2. Metadata and Profiling: Use DITA metadata and profiling attributes to tag content with learner-specific information, such as experience level or role. For instance, in tank warfare training materials, profiling could help identify content relevant to tank operators versus maintenance crews. This enables content personalization based on learner characteristics.

3. Conditional Processing: Implement conditional processing in DITA to deliver tailored content. For defense cyber training, DITA can be used to provide different levels of difficulty in a single topic. Learners can access content based on their skills, ensuring a personalized learning experience.

Example:

Here’s a simplified example of how DITA content chunking and profiling can be used to create personalized training for artillery personnel:


<topic id="artillery101" audience="beginners">
  <title>Artillery Basics for Beginners</title>
  <p>This topic covers the fundamentals of artillery operation for new recruits.</p>
</topic>

<topic id="artillery101" audience="experts">
  <title>Advanced Artillery Techniques for Experts</title>
  <p>This topic provides in-depth insights into advanced artillery tactics for experienced operators.</p>

In this example, two different topics are created. One is tagged for beginners, and the other is tagged for experts. Depending on the learner’s profile, the appropriate topic is delivered, ensuring personalized training.