Lesson 2: Shift Length

Many tasks that require intense attention to details present special challenges to most workers. Airport security officers who screen luggage must focus all of their attention to make sure that no illegal items pass their security checkpoint. An important question security management officials must ask is how a security officer’s effectiveness is affected by the amount of time that he or she spends performing a challenging task, such as screening luggage. It’s up to you to provide the answers. Are you ready for this challenge?

Doing the science

1. Select the Simulation tab to open the Airport Screener simulation.
2. Read the instructions provided.
3. Click once on the timer to set the shift time to 3 minutes.
4. Click on the right green arrow five times to start the conveyor belt. Do not speed up or slow down the conveyor belt during this or any other test.
5. Do not pause or reverse the conveyor belt during this or any other test.
6. Do not use the "Magnify" button during this or any other test.
7. If you identify a dangerous object in a suitcase, click on the "Alert" button.
8. When time runs out, a report presents how well you did. Record the number of prohibited items you missed in Table 1.
9. Click once on the timer to set the shift time to 6 minutes. Repeat steps 4–8.
10. Click once on the timer to set the shift time to 9 minutes. Repeat steps 4–8.
11. Enter data from four other students in Table 1. Find and record the average number of misses for each shift time in Table 1.