Elearning! Magazine: Building Smarter Companies via Learning & Workplace Technologies.
Issue link: http://elmezine.epubxp.com/i/714072
22 August / September 2016 Elearning! Learning! 100 100 E-learning is a new area for NATO and during the past six years, the organiza- tion has taken it from being virtually un- known to 90,000 users largely due to Al- lied Command Transformation. Norfolk, Va.-based Allied Command Transforma- tion acts as a think tank for capability development, education and training and exercise planning for NATO. Allied Command Transformation's sup- port to the NATO International Security Assistance Force, (now Resolute Support) in Afghanistan with 12 hours of online pre- deployment training has enabled more than 50,000 augmentees from 35 nations to pre- pare themselves with no classroom or resi- dential training for deployment into opera- tional theatre. is course requested by the ISAF Commander has met and exceeded their goals of reaching a dispersed and mul- tinational audience across the world. Over the past eight years, the small training organization has worked hard to create online delivery of education and training, which is an important step in the future of NATO education and train- ing. Effective use of media promotions, web awareness and sound fiscal return on investment has influenced leaders to accept and now demand more e-learning creation use for NATO. Additionally, the challenge of reaching a dispersed audience around the world quickly with full tracking and visibility has led to the success and acceptance of e-learning. Individuals participate in e-learning in many countries: NATO School Ger- many, NCISS Italy, NDC Italy, NMIOTC Greece. Collective e-learning training takes place in JFTC Poland and JWC Norway. It also supports NATO Nations Centres of Excellence and Partnership Training and Education Centres. Using the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), the program focuses on blended learning tactics such as ADL, CBT, Immersive Training, mo- bile learning and Transmedia learning. Servers work on NATO networks using open source soware where production is done both in-house and under outside contracts. e program offers direct sup- port to its users. Many considerations were taken into account when the program was devel- oped: e creators wanted to make sure it would be assessable at all user levels, meet stringent security requirements while allowing maximum user access and be considerate on non-English speaking users. e platform design needed to be functional, a combination of interaction and information and utilize authoring tools that require thought and action. Allied Command's initiative has led to two major effects: the continuing demand for access to learning management serv- ers with more than 2,000 new users per month and the new demand from all areas of NATO for course development and creation of online services, leading to the organization to expand its budget and manpower team. NATO is a first time Learning! 100 Award Winner. HEAR FROM THE WINNER: Allied Command Transformation NATO's Global E-learning Program Pictured: Paul Thurkettle, NATO E-learning Program Manager, Allied Command Transformation AREA OF EXCELLENCE COLLABORATION Effective use of media promotions, web awareness and sound fiscal return on investment has influenced leaders to accept and now demand more e-learning creation use for NATO.