ERIC Number: ED453393
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2001
Pages: 106
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: ISBN-0-8330-2990-8
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Army Distance Learning: Potential for Reducing Shortages in Army Enlisted Occupations.
Shanley, Michael G.; Leonard, Henry A.; Winkler, John D.
The potential of distance learning (DL) to expedite the U.S. Army's efforts to redress personnel shortages in Army enlisted occupations was studied by evaluating how DL-based training strategies might affect skill shortages in the following occupations: helicopter repairer; electronic switching system operator; microwave systems operator/maintainer; and signal support systems specialist. The criteria used to assess the effectiveness of DL-based training strategies were changes in shortages and changes in costs per shortage filled. The study established that, with proper support and monitoring, DL could make basic noncommissioned officer course and advanced noncommissioned officer training possible earlier in the select-train-promote sequence. DL could begin before scheduled residence training courses are available, be taken in small pieces on a "continuous" basis, and occur at trainees' home station. Furthermore, modularized DL courses could allow "testing out" of already mastered material and enhance the type of self-development training that can accelerate the institutional training process. The study also indicated that using DL in the contexts identified could significantly lower the marginal cost of reducing skill shortages. (Information on measuring the effects of DL-based and non-DL-based strategies on shortages and the length of reclassification courses under DL is appended. Thirty tables/figures are included. Contains 19 references.) (MN)
Descriptors: Aviation Mechanics, Change Strategies, Comparative Analysis, Cost Effectiveness, Delivery Systems, Distance Education, Educational Change, Educational Finance, Educational Needs, Educational Policy, Electronic Technicians, Enlisted Personnel, Instrumentation Technicians, Job Training, Labor Needs, Learning Modules, Military Personnel, Military Training, Needs Assessment, Outcomes of Education, Policy Formation, Program Costs, Program Effectiveness, Technical Occupations, Training Methods
RAND, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138. Tel: 877-584-8642 (Toll Free); Fax: 310-451-6915; e-mail: order@rand.org; Web site: http://www.rand.org. For full text: http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1318.
Publication Type: Books; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Department of the Army, Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: Arroyo Center, Santa Monica, CA.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A