Defence

Defence Personnel Executive

Online learning workshop a hit

Singing along to a hearty rendition of 'Rawhide' is not something you would normally expect to do at a workshop on online learning, but this is what over 130 delegates did at this year's Online Practitioners Workshop in Canberra.

By Gai Brodtmann

Over three days, delegates from Defence's online development community were challenged to think and talk about latest trends in online learning by some of the best international and national e-learning, flexible learning and futurist experts.

Through a range of plenary and breakout sessions, participants explored future directions for online learning and looked at lessons learnt in project managing and developing content for CAMPUS, Defence's online training program. And from all accounts, they went away excited about the possibilities, armed with new skills and knowledge.

'The program was very innovative,' said Lieutenant Colonel Andre Greenberry, Commanding Officer from Army's Training Technology Centre in Sydney.

'There was plenty of time for interaction and lots of opportunity to relate to and interrogate the presenters. The event was also very conducive to networking,' he said.

'One of the highlights was the motivational speech by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, which underscored the fact that Defence's e-learning program is supported from the top.

'The workshop was also well patronised by civilian and military personnel and contractors,' he said.

According to Brett MacDonald, Director, Defence Business Training Centre (DBTC), which incorporates Defence Flexible Learning Systems, some participants said it was the best workshop they had ever attended.

'This was very pleasing feedback for an internal event. To get the number of people we had, and the level of speakers, including Elliot Masie—futurist, analyst and editor of an e-newsletter that is read by over 50 000 business executives worldwide—was a significant achievement for the DBTC.

'One of the highlights was an interactive session, where participants took part in a flexible learning approach that has been adopted in the United States.

'Delegates also went away with a lot more information on the role of the new integrated DBTC. Everyone has expected that, because we have achieved so much, our scope is endless. The workshop provided us with the opportunity to outline that our role is, in fact, quite limited.

'So now people involved in developing online content in Defence have a clear understanding of what DBTC is here to do and what their groups are responsible for. The workshop really clarified roles. Once we've embedded the integrated DBTC, I think next year we will focus more on flexible learning options, rather than e-learning,' he said.

Flexibility was also a key message delivered by the Head, Defence Personnel Executive, Major General Mark Evans, in his official opening address to the workshop.

'We have to be able to deliver the training required by the Australian Defence Force in the most flexible manner possible,' he said.

'In order to defend Australia and its national interests, Defence must remain a responsive and adaptive organisation.

'In the international arena, we do have a reputation of being a highly effective force despite our relatively small numbers, whether acting alone or with our allies. This highly respected capability depends upon us continually improving the quality and accessibility of our training and education to all Defence personnel, Australia-wide and overseas.

'While it will never meet all training needs, our online training system, known as CAMPUS, is a great step forward in providing affordable and accessible quality training in areas ranging from administrative business skills through to front-line operational and peacekeeping missions.

'The greatest challenge is to make online learning agreeable to learners, especially isolated learners who do not always have the benefit of the context of what they are trying to learn,' said Major General Evans.

This was the very point made by the leader of the singalong, online learning authority, Paul McKey, who said the way forward for e-learning and flexible learning was not about technology, but people.

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