DAU collaborates with local organizations to create two new continuous learning modules: Javits-Wagner-O'Day program. Cost as an Independent Variable - JWOD - CAIV - Distributed Learning - Defense Acquisition University

Program Manager, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Kelly Nieves

Over the past decade, the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) at Fort Belvoir, Va., has worked diligently to develop ways of harnessing the power of the World Wide Web and deliver interactive course material online to the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L) workforce. Recently, DAU completed development of online Continuous Learning (CL) modules on the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program and Cost as an Independent Variable (CAIV).

The AT&L workforce can now access information on JWOD and CAIV whenever and wherever they wish by logging onto the DAU Continuous Learning Center (CLC). This article will describe how DAU collaborated with a local business and universities to develop these JWOD and CAIV online modules.

DAU Continuous Learning Center

In 2001, DAU recognized that the AT&L workforce needed "Just in time" access to current information on policies, procedures, and programs that impact their ability to perform their jobs. In response to that need, DAU created an online CLC at http://clc.dau.mil.

DAU Professor Bob Faulk currently serves as director of the CLC. Since it was formally launched in July 2001, this Web site has provided access to modules that members of the workforce can access wherever and whenever they need specific information on a wide range of topics. To date, the CLC Web site hosts 35 modules. The site also has other capabilities that allow the workforce to collaborate on projects with others who are not physically located at their customary work sites. DAU will continue to leverage the power of this Web site to serve the emerging training and educational needs of the AT&L workforce.

DAU Graduate Internship Program

In 2001, it became increasingly evident that it would be necessary for DAU to find creative new ways to supplement its limited resources to produce new CL modules in a cost-effective manner. DAU also wished to create mutually beneficial partnerships with local organizations.

To meet these e-Learning and organizational goals, DAU created a graduate internship program. The goal would be to establish relationships with local universities offering graduate programs in education (specifically in the areas of e-Learning and online instructional technology), with the purpose of designing and developing new online modules in response to the professional development needs of the AT&L workforce.

Graduate students participating in this internship work with DAU faculty who serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the project. The SMEs ensure that the content for the module is complete, current, and accurate. They also work with a mentor at DAU, Dr. Kelly Nieves, who currently serves as Program Manager of the Distributed Learning (DL) Team, through a contract with Advanced Technology Solutions, Inc. (ATSI). She and the DL Team provide support services for DAU's Center for e-Learning. Nieves works with the graduate interns to ensure that the online module is instructionally sound and meets DAU's technical standards.

Each graduate intern's semester project is to work on a project to design and develop an online CL module. The local universities have the opportunity to partner with local organizations to ensure that their graduate programs of study are truly preparing their students with the skills required to succeed in their chosen fields. Graduate students benefit from the opportunity to work on the analysis, design, development, and production of e-Learning projects by putting into practice what they are learning through their program of study Thus, the graduate internship program is designed to provide a "win-win" situation for all participants.

Graduate students selected to participate can choose to perform various tasks during their internship.

Graduate interns can choose to work on a specific portion of a CL module project. This work can include: The Analysis and Design phases of the project. Under this option, graduate interns are responsible to deliver a management plan detailing an analysis of the target audience and learning objectives of the module. They also turn in an outline of the lessons to be included in the module and a prototype lesson for the online CL module. The finished design will, in all respects, be ready for development and programming. Upon acceptance, DAU proposes that 3 credits be granted for the semester. This course may be a project, seminar, or internship format.

The Development and Implementation phases of the project. Under this option, graduate interns develop scripts, graphics, storyboards, and tools (e.g., site map and Frequently Asked Questions) for the entire CL module in HTML/Java Script, adhering to DAU's technical standards for online material. The graduate intern will also be responsible to work with DAU faculty and Center for e-Learning staff to make arrangements to have the newly completed CL module uploaded onto the CLC Web site.

Graduate interns can also choose to complete work on all phases of a CL module project. In this case, they are responsible for all deliverables associated with the Analysis, Design, Development, and Implementation phases of the projects as described previously