Distance Learning: Has the Training Culture Kept Up With the Technology Available
Abstract
The principal problem encountered in the conduct of this project centered around difficulties developing script-based DL classes from a traditionally didactic style block of instruction. While the instructors at USASAM are facile in platform-based instruction, converting that instruction to the written word, in a fashion that was easily and accurately processed by the student, proved challenging. The process required multiple editing steps, to ensure the lesson was both technically and grammatically sound. This process was time consuming, and competed with the myriad other duties of our busy instructor/writers. The ultimate product was excellent, but the process took considerably more time to execute than originally planned. One of the major technical issues as far as capturing valid time metrics involved the inability to record data to the hard drives of the computers used in the computer classrooms. These computer resources were not USASAM's, and the DL classroom administrators would not allow new software to be downloaded onto their computers. This resulted in hand-written, best guess estimates of actual time being spent on by individuals on the various computer-based lessons. There were also some technical difficulties secondary to security issues. Existing firewalls hindered the abilities of the USASAM staff to review CTA developments. This slowed decision making with respect to design choices and clarification of the authors' intent in several of the lessons. USASAM access to products in development improved significantly during the second half of the project, as security issues were successful resolved.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA395561
Entities
People
- Joseph Mckeon