To Make Army PME Distance Learning Work, Make It Social
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Authors
Kimball, Raymond A.
Byerly, Joseph M.
Issue Date
2013
Type
Reports
Language
Keywords
Distance Learning
Alternative Title
Abstract
ARMY DISTANCE LEARNING (dL) for professional military education (PME) is not living up to its full potential. PME dL courses are seen as the poor relations of resident courses, and soldiers are counseled to avoid them if at all possible out of a belief that they will negatively affect career progression. With the return of competitive selection for resident attendance at Command and General Staff School, dL courses are likely to further sink in reputation and standing. This article proposes an immediate fix for dL PME courses to make them more relevant for participants and thereby enhance their standing in the PME hierarchy. The fix is to incorporate social learning, using a variety of resources to connect learners in conversation around professionally relevant content. The Army’s soldier-student
population is familiar with and prefers social learning over individual study. Moreover, the Army already has a robust social networking system established. Introducing a social component into dL PME can, if done properly, increase the relative value of these courses and bring those more into line with the Army’s stated doctrine for learning environments.
Description
Citation
Raymond A. Kimball, Joseph M. Byerly. "To Make Army PME Distance Learning Work, Make It Social". Military Review, 2012.
Publisher
Military Review