Air transportation career field benefits from mobile learning

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • Air Mobility Warfare Center Public Affairs
FORT DIX, N.J. (AFPN) --  Two Airmen with the Air Mobility Warfare Center’s Mobility Operations School are helping fellow air transportation Airmen keep up on their training -- no matter where they are in the world.

The effort, called mobile learning or “M-learning,” refers to the use of handheld devices when used to enhance operational efficiency and provide global access to training.

“It is an evolving area of the distance learning revolution of which the capabilities have yet to be fully realized,” said Master Sgt. Steven Minard, the superintendent of the Mobility Operations School’s air transportation branch. Sergeant Minard, along with Tech. Sgt. Jeff Norway, the NCO in charge of instructional systems and standards for the mobility operations school, are spearheading the initiative.

Sergeant Minard said M-learning uses personal data assistant devices, tablet-size personal computers and other like technology because of their ability to access the Internet through wireless connections.

“The PDAs run flash animation -- the same software program used for all air transportation career field courseware,” Sergeant Minard said. “They can send e-mails and instant messages. Some even approximate the power of traditional desktop and laptop computers. These mobile devices can be loaded with hours of training and require no network connection, wireless or otherwise, until the user updates content or uploads assessment results to a system capable of tracking mobile learners.

“Using this technology to deliver training and reference material literally anytime and anywhere has great potential for our career field,” Sergeant Minard said.

As an example, Sergeant Minard referred to an air transportation Airman in upgrade training status who is preparing to deploy. On this deployment, the Airman will be in austere conditions and work in a duty section he might not be familiar with.

“Prior to deploying, this Airman can upload hours of web-based training courseware from an online learning management system to his personal digital assistant,” Sergeant Minard said. “He also can upload relevant regulations, forms and other supporting material that his supervisor advises him to take along. Once he deploys, despite having no Internet capability, he can access his training ‘on-demand.’ He can use the previously uploaded reference material to educate himself on assigned tasks.”

Sergeant Minard said the Airman can also take end-of-course tests and later download the results to the learning management system, thereby ensuring credit for training accomplished.

“With this effort, the Airman completes all upgrade requirements and returns to his stateside duty station current on his training and prepared for greater challenges,” Sergeant Minard said.

In order to determine the effectiveness of M-learning, Sergeant Norway said the Air Mobility Warfare Center is conducting a pilot project in partnership with the AMC.

A select group of Airmen will be provided instructions on PDA operations and the training materials that will be available before the next Air Expeditionary Force rotation. Additionally, a control group will be established that does not posses this technology.

A group of Airman remaining at home station will also be issued PDAs to test the effectiveness in a non-deployed environment. A technical support help desk will be set up to answer any questions and monitor the progress of each individual for the duration of the deployment.

“Once the Airmen complete a lesson, they will receive immediate results -- validation,” Sergeant Norway said. “The PDA can then be loaded into the docking station to record and track a trainee’s progress at any time.”

Sergeant Minard said M-learning research supports an AMC challenge to test new ideas to enhance the way AMC does business.

“M-learning is in its infancy, and ideas surrounding its use currently mirror standard e-learning on a smaller scale,” Sergeant Minard said. “However, more complex e-learning tools such as simulations, virtual environments and tag eaders can also be ported to these machines. As the benefits of M-learning become better understood, innovative ways to use the technology and create dynamic, highly mobile training environments will evolve.”

“These possibilities extend far beyond the air transportation community,” Sergeant Norway said. “With wireless capability, simulations and virtual environments, Air Mobility Command and the Air Force could find innovative ways to make use of this technology and fundamentally change the way we train, operate, and employ job skills in the future. It can provide increased operational efficiency, improved production, and increased quality, all while saving money and manpower. The possibilities are boundless.”