CMR working group, Moscow, 25 June 2001

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FIRST MEETING DCAF-WORKING GROUP 25. JUNE 2001
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• Civil-military relationsExpert formation and
  e-learning
• How can e-learning facilitate expert formation in
  the field of civil-military relations?
• Hans Born h.born_at_dcaf.ch
• Antje Fritz a.fritz_at_dcaf.ch
• DCAF, Geneva

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• Expert formation in the field of
• Civil-military relations (CMR)
• Expert formation is a tool for promoting
  democratic CMR
• Expert formation aims at empowering professionals
  working in the field of CMR
• Learning not for  school but for life 
• Learning by discussion among professionals

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• What are the educational elements
• of e-learning?
• Some examples
• The complete course (e.g. lectures) on the web,
• Discussion via forum, chats and mailing lists
• Online exams/tests with direct feedback
• Tutoring via e-mail
• Download course material from the web
• Maintaining network of alumni via forum, chats,
  mailing lists
• Virtual library on the web

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• How can e-learning contribute to CMR-education?
• Students can take part in CMR education from any
  location and at any time
• E-learning is not hindered by political frontiers
  
• Interactivity allows for flexible adjustment for
  different knowledge levels of students
• E-learning facilitates direct communication and
  joint learning projects

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• E-learning
• some problems possible solutions

• Anonymity could harm commitment
• E-learning requires extra human labour
• Internet penetration rate

• Building strong learning communities
• Enhance motivation for learning
• Increase internet penetration rate

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• Main challenge
• E-learning could be beneficial to expert
  formation in the field of CMR as it bridges
  distances in time and space as well as political
  frontiers.
• However, the main challenge will be to create and
  maintain a solid and strong learning network of
  commited students