Using Technology to Support the Army Learning Model

Abstract : This research identified the successes and challenges of implementing technology in U.S. Army Centers of Excellence courses to meet the objectives of the Army Learning Model (ALM; TRADOC PAM 525-8-2). The findings provide TRADOC with insights of the facilitating and limiting factors that potentially affected the return on investment (ROI) of developing part-task and whole-task training products. Overall, there were more limiting factors found for the use and sustainment of part-task trainers which was due in part to the high-level of in-house capabilities and sustained interactions of stakeholders required for the planning and development of the products. For both categories of products, instructor training is a critical factor in maximizing the use, effectiveness, and the ROI of the products. Also for both categories of products, a significant finding was that little to no objective usage or student performance data was collected to verify that the products met the training intent, improved Soldiers performance, and supported the tenets of ALM. Due to this lack of objective data, Army decision-makers lack a vital means of gauging whether these technology-based training tools support the successful implementation of ALM and, in terms of ROI, the extent to which the products were a sound investment.