Advanced distributed learning science and technology program - answering the challenge of a critical skilled labor shortfall in the U.S.

摘要

Any future learning system must provide a comprehensive solution, which addresses education and training requirements to help solve the serious and chronic labor shortages in both the military and civilian communities. This is a critical national problem with compelling national security implications. In this age of networked, global competition, it is clear that the U.S. must maintain a highly skilled and motivated civilian work force, and this has obvious implications for the industrial-base that is the foundation of the U.S. defense establishment. Secondly, all military services are currently facing manpower shortages, which have inevitable consequences on service readiness. There are not enough skilled personnel, and we face a shortage of teachers to teach the requisite skills. The potential of IT-based education and training to address these deficiencies is undisputed. Independence from time and location of the learning experience reduces logistical cost and makes the training accessible to many more subjects at any time. Scalable net-centric delivery of instruction allows instruction to occur on any device or in any environment. Reusable content makes it possible to produce an abundance of high-quality instruction more efficiently. The use of content-embedded knowledge, such as virtual actors and coaches, can greatly improve cognitive skills development. Finally, in a very real sense, IT-based learning can serve as a force-multiplier for the educational community, since educators will be able to communicate effectively with more students.