Transitions in eLearning environments: The Australian Army Diane Newton Allan Ellis

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Transitions in eLearning environments The
Australian ArmyDiane NewtonAllan Ellis

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Research project
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• Research into impact of eLearning
• Initial exploratory research-understand learning
  context and issues
• Historical documents
• Trial course evaluations
• Observation of classes
• Pilot interviews (managers, developers,
  designers, instructors)
• Reports and papers

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Why eLearning?

• Manager interviews
• Minimise disruption to units, trainees and
  families
• Deliver standardised training across locations
  and members, including reservists
• Create an instructor surge capacity
• Reduce training costs
• Most importantly, optimise quality of learning
  experience shift from training delivery to
  learning facilitation

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eLearning transitions
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• 1993-individuals, Army Doctrine Electronic
  Library (ADEL) CD-ROMs
• 1996-Strategic support Defence Efficiency
  Review, TECHSIM
• 1998-Regional Training Centres, flexible learning
  centres
• 2000-Training Technology Centre
• 2003- Australian Defence Organisation, Project
  DOMAIN, Shareable Content Object Referenced
  Material (SCORM)

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CD-ROMs or Web?
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• Soldiers spend time in field training
• Limited bandwidth reliability of Defence
  Restricted Network access to computers and
  Internet
• Optimise learning experience
• ADO directive ThinQ LMS, Evolution (Outstart)
• Distance Learning (reservists) trial

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Training Command Army, 2003, Technology Based
Training Sampler
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Animation safe practical skills problem solving
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Training Command Army, 2003, Technology Based
Training Sampler
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First Aid compulsory training
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Training Command-Army, 2003, Technology Based
Training Sampler
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Scenario problem solving exercise
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Army HQ Training Technology Centre, 2004
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Introduction
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Army HQ Training Technology Centre, 2004
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Lesson
Army HQ Training Technology Centre, 2004
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Summary
Army HQ Training Technology Centre, 2004
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Quiz
Army HQ Training Technology Centre, 2004
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Course designers and developers
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• External pressures-rapid change, change in
  autonomy
• Learners needs-main priority
• Changing skill set-new programs learning
  environment
• Technical-limited bandwidth, ADO requirements
• Cultural-decision-making, authoritarian
• Need to build on existing skills, consultation
  communication

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Instructors
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• Learners needs- main priority
• Changing role-facilitator, mentor, changing
  skills
• Student relationship- less questioning, control,
  authority
• Learning environment- standardised, provides
  background, updating content
• Culture- tradition, decision-making
• Need for consultation, communication, flexibility
  in delivery

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Further research
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• Impact on learning (theory, practical retention
  in field)
• Impact of different contexts of learning
• Students characteristics perceptions
• Instructors perceptions role
• Measuring effectiveness of eLearning
• Relationship with military culture
• Online LMS role
• Web communications role
• ??

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Contacts

• Diane Newton
• dnewton_at_scu.edu.au
• Allan Ellis
• aellis_at_scu.edu.au
• School of Social Sciences
• Southern Cross University
• Lismore, Australia