Applying interactive Learning tools in the Advanced Warning Operations Course

Content developers of the Advanced Warning Operations Course (AWOC) created or upgraded three interactive tools to help students maximize learning performance owing to their relevancy in NWS operations. These tools include the Volume Coverage Pattern Explorer (VCPExplorer), and the Interactive Hail Detection Algorithm (HDA) toolkit, and BUFKIT. In order to be an effective tool in AWOC, there were three desirable goals to be achieved. One goal to be met was that the tools needed to easily address some aspect of the forecaster's job. As an example, the VCPExplorer allowed forecasters to immediately determine how vertical sampling uncertainty can affect the radar estimated hail size of a storm. The VCPExplorer helped the forecaster visualize the height uncertainty in a context of the job environment. As a second goal, the tool needed to be useful in operations. One operational application with the HDA toolkit allowed forecasters to view the internal decision making process of the HDA thereby helping to increase expertise just before a severe weather event. BUFKIT was completly integrated with operations as a model sounding tool. Major functions in BUFKIT have help links to facilitate quick learning. A final goal that helps increase learning was to make sure that these toolkits could be used for research by forecasters. This presentation will show how these two tools satisfy the three goals.