- Week 2
- Educational Technology paper:
Professional organization that uses technology in education that is directly involved in my field of work would be the U.S. Army. Since the beginning of my career eight years ago I have constantly been involved with numerous exercises and battlefield simulations. Technology used to the fullest to train to days soldiers without firing a real round. This training is more realistic than one could produce in the field and closer to the realism of true combat.
The Army's simulation center (simcenter) is a room using videos, laser technology, LAN, computer modeling of proposed tactics and satellite communication to depict a true battlefield to include the use of field artillery and close air support. This teaches the commanders at all levels when and how to use their ground troops and when best to use the supporting elements. The soldiers on the ground are using lasers to depict actual casualties on the enemy forces. The Army's use of this type of technology is definitely an educational tool to keep the force well prepared to fight the country's battles if necessary. Using these tools, also helps in controlling the cost of training. Corps level exercises can be trained while being hundreds of miles apart.
- Curriculum resource:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson, 10 Sept 1997 Robert Gotzmann
Army Training Support Center, (1997) Action Officer Development Course, Link
The Army has recognized the importance of keeping its soldiers educated and on top of today's technology. In doing so the Army has established numerous web sites to keep them informed on today's technology and any changes in their particular field of expertise. One web site I use is the Army's Training Support Center (atsc-army.org/atdls.html). This site allows me to take professional development courses available via the Internet.
One course in particular, Action Officer Development Course, allows me to train and stay in touch with the operational side of staff functions in a battalion or higher organization. The web site is well organized in that it is organized as a table of contents similar to any text book. This provides a familiar reference to the student who may not be familiar with the Internet. It also provides me with the same data as the Army's Combined Arms and Services Staff School (CAS3) which is six weeks long. When I attend the course in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas definitely giving me an advantage over my peers. Again, the Army has recognized the use of technology to keep its soldiers informed and on top of the education process without having to attend a classroom. At the end of the course; the student takes a final exam via e-mail and upon completion receives points towards promotion.
The Army has always been on the leading edge of technology and has realized the importance in using this technology in keeping its soldiers informed and trained. This web site is critically important to soldiers in remote locations. Soldiers in these locations are very limited in resources available to them and the Internet has been established to help them maintain their educational progress.
- News article:
Internet brings high school home
In high school classrooms of the future, there are no broken pencil leads and no teachers breathing down your neck.
Varma, Kavita, September 10, 1997 USA TODAY.
This article summarizes and provides basic information concerning the use of the Internet to educate high school students. These schools are characterized by distance learning and a relatively low cost education. The classroom size is limited to the number of students with access to this technology and equipment.
Very good article reference school in cyberspace, sounds great at first, however, as I read through the article I wondered where the students would get the one on one experience that is so important in today's society. I think the idea is sound for undergraduate and graduate level work. K-12 is not just taking tests and reading, it is interaction amongst one another and dealing with social problems. This is also part of the educational process and maturing as an adult.
I also wonder if the student is doing the work themselves and will the educational value in the US fail the students in the future. Again, there is a place and time for everything and substituting a classroom for the Internet in K-12 is just not sound. A teacher provides the supervision K-12 students need to maintain a focus on affective learning.
In retrospect, I do see the use of this type of technology to help students living in rural communities where commuting is not feasible. This use to educate (Internet) children with disabilities and where children are unable to leave their homes due to illness, is a suitable alternative to receive an education. I also see using this in the event of unforeseen days off such as natural disasters and severe weather days.
- Educational Technology paper:
- Week 3
- Educational Technology paper:
Robert Gotzmann
Headquarters, Department of the Army, (1997) US Army Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, OK.
In the Army, every branch (Aviation, Infantry, Armor and Field Artillery to name a few) publishes a professional journal to ensure everyone stays in tune with the newest systems, tactics, techniques and procedures, education and current events. The sub-title to the Field Artillery journal is the "Professional Bulletin for Redlegs".
The basis for artillery is to have rounds (bullets) on the target, the closer the better. The journal is very helpful in that the articles are up to date and written by soldiers and leaders in the field experiencing it first hand. As you read the articles it may or may not help you decide one particular course of action to best help you on that same piece of equipment or situation. The journal is also helpful in keeping one informed on new tactics and weapon systems of the future. As I hinted before the journal its self is written by field artillery leaders. This ensures great articles on today's artillery systems dealing with the artillery community.
The Army is always wanting to keep its soldiers informed. This journal is just another example of that. This journal is branch oriented and written to keep the artillery community informed and up to date.
- Curriculum resource:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson, September 17, 1997 Robert Gotzmann
US Army, PERSCOM (Personnel Services Command), (1997)
The Army has recognized the importance in keeping its force well informed on issues and topics that are related to the Army Corps and its personal. The Army's PERSCOM web page is just one of many sites that keeps its force well informed and better yet up to date on issues concerning individual soldiers personal military career.
Personnel Services Command or better known as PERSCOM is the Army's human resource management center. All actions concerning promotions, officer and enlisted management, (new job locations), jobs available for a particular military occupation specialty, to name a few are accessible to the soldier right on their own desk tops. Prior to the web page all of this data and information had to be sent via phone, mail or not at all. This caused delays in updating personal records or even missing that assignment you were hoping for. Currently you can e-mail directly to PERSCOM to update any records or just to ensure all is well for your next promotion board.
You can talk directly to the PERSCOM Human Resource Director if you have any questions concerning your file or if you have any questions with up coming changes to the new evaluation (officer) system as an example. This web site also allows you to directly access the Army's web page to keep you informed with the newest topics concerning the Army. The PERSCOM web page even allows you to access the City Nets Washington D.C. Subway Searcher. Just input your location and destination and the site will give you the times of departure and which subway line to take.
The Army continues to stay on top of today's technology. This web site is just another fine example of the Army keeping its soldiers in formed with topics and in touch with their own personal military files. This also ensures soldiers are responsible for keeping their military records in order and up to date. The tools have been established now we as leaders need to ensure soldiers use them.
- News article:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson, September 17, 1997 Robert Gotzmann
Cable News Network, Inc. February 8, 1997 CNN Interactive, www.cnn.com
This article summarizes the President's continued commitment to give all children the right to learn. The article explains the multi-million dollar grants given to three states, Illinois, Mississippi and New Mexico for the purchase of computers and "technology literacy challenge grants". These grants in particular are funded to educate our teachers on the abilities and uses of computers and Internet services to aid in their educational process. This will allow children in the most isolated rural towns and the poorest inner city schools the same access to computers and Internet knowledge.
$500 million dollars is budgeted for education technology, to reduce the Internet access costs to schools. The article also states that 65% of schools have been connected to Internet access, compared to the 35% three years ago. However, the same survey used to find this data showed only 20% of public school teachers use this technology to help in their curricula. Another point worth mentioning is that only 13% of public schools required teachers to be computer trained.
I totally agree on the program set fourth by the President to ensure all children have the ability to use the Internet and become computer literate. This technology is the future and we as a nation need to stay on top of this technology and knowledge. This starts with educating the young. However, these programs are dollar intensive as you can see from the figures above. We need to ensure standards are set and that these tools are not mismanaged or not taught at all. If that were the case, an injustice would be done to the future of our children and a nation as a whole. Teachers need to become computer literate as do all leaders in any type of organization.
- Educational Technology paper:
- Week 4
- Educational Technology paper:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson, September 24, 1997 Robert Gotzmann
Paper#1, week 4 ERIC reviewEducation Resource Information Center (ERIC), 1997, Assessment and Evaluation.
When the assignment was given I knew nothing about ERIC. On the ERIC clearinghouse web page, I was very surprised to see the amount of information and tests available to teachers to help in their curricula.
After reading the history of ERIC and browsing the clearing house web page, I was intrigued at the age of the of the system and the scope of information available to our educators. ERIC, as a tool, keeps our education system in tune with today's needs. Additionally, the center provides professional feedback to educators.
The ERIC clearinghouse I chose dealt with assessment and evaluation. I chose this one hoping it would give me some insight into personnel evaluation systems. I was amazed at the resources available to any instructor.
Out of all the material that I saw, nothing came across to really assist me in the assessment and evaluation of job productivity of my subordinate leaders. However, if I was a teacher or needed to develop any test or curriculum, I would definitely use this ERIC site to start my instructional development.
- Curriculum resource:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson, September 19,1997 Robert Gotzmann
Paper#2, week 4 Web Site CritiqueMargo Ross, 1997, http://users.gisco.net/users/toross/
I found the home page very interesting and informative. The author has incorporated numerous pictures and graphics in the sub-files. This stimulates an interest and invites the student and/or browser to dig deeper into the subject.
I did discover some areas that may need to be revised/revamped to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the home page.
First the opening page has the definition of Geography as "the ongoing exploration of countries, states, regions, etc". However, the author's main focus (emphasis) in the home page is in U.S. History only.
I also felt the Seminal Indian sub-file was visually distracting to read. The smoke clouds (signal clouds) were a nice touch but the text was to small and difficult to read.
In addition, I also clicked onto the sub-file that noted a warning "no file found". I believe this was a mistake in the hypertext mark-up language (HTML) file.
Finally, I want to stress the point that triggering and maintaining the readers interest is critical. Most of the sub-files succeed in doing this, but there are some sub-files needing more graphics, pictures and better use of coloring to keep their interest.
Overall, I feel the author has created an informative teaching tool that stimulates learning while also promoting computer technology to conduct research in history.
- News article:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson, September 25,1997 Robert Gotzmann paper#3, week 4
Business Wire, September 24, 1997 Nashville, Tenn. www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/sr_headline.sh?/bw.092497/483711
Very interesting article (aimed at families moving) dealing with school locations, school calendar and information dealing with the community surroundings. I thought this web-site could be very helpful for the many families moving in the Army.
The web-sites focus is on K-12, with over 106,000 individual school web-sites accessible through the American School Directory (ASD). Parents educators and students can fine pertinent information dealing with the location of the school (with maps), teachers, curricula and a personal link between the educators, parents, the community and the school and to the students themselves.
The information is updated periodically and therefore the site provides up to date information to the browser. The school does not need to have its own computer or an Internet provider. The information can be updated from a home computer or from a public library, "using the Online Update form".
I fined this article very useful, in that today's society, many families move. This would provide the user much information on public school systems and even private schools available in communities where they might be moving. Parents, students and teachers can exchange information regarding their schools and even school districts to help in the decision of which school to attend.
- Educational Technology paper:
- Week 5
- Educational Technology paper:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson, September 29, 1997 Robert Gotzmann paper # 1, week 5
ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading and Communication Skills, Bloomington, IN.
ED 32885 Mar 91 Increasing Comprehension by Activating Prior Knowledge, ERIC Digest. Christen, William L.; Murphy, Thomas J.
The learning theory I chose was Constructivism. I found this theory interesting. I first heard of it in my other graduate class (GRED 653). I thought it would give me a little more insight into this theory and what other professionals understand and know about this learning theory. By definition Constructivism is "a philosophy of learning that is founded on the premise that we all construct our own understanding of the world we live in, through reflection on our experiences. We use the "rules" and "mental models" we generate in this process to make sense of experiences. Learning is the process of adjusting our mental models to accommodate new experiences".
The thrust of the research was to increase learning from text materials by the use of an extensive vocabulary and background knowledge. The author's approach was to teach student's key words and background knowledge (information) on the subject matter prior to the students reading the subject matter. This would enable the students to understand key words and would make them more interested in the lesson. The research demonstrated that by activating such knowledge the result was increased comprehension. This increased comprehension resulted, without correlation to the specifics or depth of the background information.
I totally agree with this theory in that your experiences and prior understandings help influence your current framework of understanding and learning. This is evident with the degree I am enrolled in, ITMM. The educators (students) in the classes are faster and somewhat in-tune with the terms and tasks used in the educational field, which are being presented in the classes. I find myself listening harder and reading the text more than once to truly understand the material. The experiences and knowledge you have gained previously provides a process to generate "our mental models" (to conceptually understand what is being presented) to help in new experiences.
- Curriculum resource:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson, September 30, 1997 Robert Gotzmann paper #2, week 5
Army Training XXI, A vision for Army Training XXI, 11 June 1996 Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) www.dist.moroe.army.mil/abxxi/atxxi-hp.
As the Army continues to advance in technology and to maintain the force ready to defend our nation, it has focused its efforts to produce a coherent, integrated training system and strategy for FORCE XXI (push to digitize communications, targeting and maneuver control, a high tech Army). The Army is also downsizing in personnel from 1,250,000 at the beginning of the Gulf War, to 475,000 strong today. With this the Army needs to ensure its personnel are equipped and can use the tools that will carry the force into the 21st century.
The Army is focusing its efforts on equipping its force and ensuring the proper documentation and standardization of training requirements are maintained. In other words, as the Army gears towards technological equipment the right resources have to be established. The soldiers who will be operating that equipment in the 21st century have to be taught the proper use of that equipment. The Army will do this by establishing training products and training outputs associated with the acquisition of weapon systems and training aids, devices, simulators and simulations.
I find this change to the Force XXI very exciting for the Army and me. The Army is looking forward to the 21st century and how the force will best be able to defend the country and take care of its soldiers. With this new state of the art equipment, the Army should be able to do more with fewer personnel. At least, this is the concept with some of our leadership. However, this is another subject to be discussed at a later date. The FORCE XXI package is outstanding and these changes will allow us to maintain the force with the best equipped soldiers and the most technological weapon systems.
- News article:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson, 1 October 1997 Robert Gotzmann paper #3 week 5
CNN interactive, Downloadable term paper: A Web of cheating? September 7, 1997, Rusty Dornin.
This particular news article caught my attention, in that we think of the Internet as a helpful tool, which it is, however, just like everything else, society and people have taken advantage of this system. For a student to submit (on-file papers) a paper without researching a particular topic and by a sweep of the mouse a "Genius Paper" is in hand.
The article describes the different price ranges, which Web sites to utilize and the process in which to receive the desired subject information. Prices range from $9.95 to $29.75 and you get access to pre-written papers for an entire year. College presidents and professors attempt to justify the use of this resource by stating, "students who are inclined to cheat are going to cheat regardless of the technology. I think it's sort of a cynical notion to think that this new tool is going to spread the incidence of cheating." One suggestion was that teachers would have to make writing more inventive or creative, for example, requiring the student to produce a flyer, or a drama, or write a document in first person.
I found this article to be somewhat controversial. The truth is, the Internet is an extremely useful and accessible resource. The abuse of the system is inevitable and if an individual wants to cheat or plagiarize than it will be accomplished with minimal risk. With the advancement in computer technology a lot of instructors are encouraging the use of computers and the Internet in the classroom, so where or how do you draw the line? I feel it basically falls back on the individual students' morals and ethics. One has wonder what other misuses are going on in the Internet. Unfortunately, corruption and dishonesty will occur regardless, but I firmly believe that the positive definitely outweighs the negative when discussing the utilization of the Internet.
- Educational Technology paper:
- Week 6
- Plan:
GRED 614 Dr. Ferguson, 6 Oct 1997, Robert Gotzmann
Outline for Curriculum Plan1. I am a battery commander for Charlie Battery 2d FA, Training Support Battalion (TSB). I am the supervisor for five Senior Non-Commissioned Officers. Responsible for the training and evaluation of three force package 1, Reserve Component Forces.
2. I plan for the annual training (AT) the three units will conduct in the summer months. This training takes place in Gagetown, Canada and Ft. Drum, New York.
3. The target audience for this training at my level is the senior battery leadership, I especially look at the commanders ability and his troop leading ability.
4. Charlie Battery Commander, Field Artillery Training Support Battalion charged with increasing the training readiness of Reserve Component forces by providing externally resourced and evaluated lanes and situation training exercises during inactive duty training and annual training for selected force support package 1 units and enhanced brigades.
5. The goal and outcome of the training is to ensure the units are ready to support and defend the U.S. if called upon in the event of a national crisis. To do this we evaluate the unit against the Army standard and their unit Standing Operations and Procedures (SOP's). This is graded on a Training Assessment Model that has been approved by the Defense Department, evaluated unit and their state command. This evaluation is sent back to the Department of Defense. The outcome should be all "Go's" in all areas evaluated.
6. The calendar is attached, I want to outline the weeks of training we do to gear up for the annual and inactive duty training. This will consist of understanding and knowing all uses of the units specific equipment (howitzers) and the unit SOP's. Also, the lane development and set-up of that lane. This would also consist of the write-ups and evaluations my team and I conduct. ID Field1 Field4 Field5 Field6 Field7 Field8 Field9
1 week one: 0700-0800 To be trained Activity Location Trainers References Uniform
2
3 Monday 2nd FA TSB CTT Training FT Drum Btry NCOICs STP 21-1SMCT BDU's
4
5 Tuesday 2nd FA TSB Maintenance FT Drum SFC Smith Apropriate -10 BDU's
6
7 Wed 2nd FA TSB Lane Develop FT Drum CPT Gotzmann Oplan 98 BDU's
8
9 Thursday 2nd FA TSB Lane Recon FT Drum CPT Gotzmann Oplan 98 BDU's - Portfolio:
GRED 614 Dr. Ferguson
Robert Gotzmann
8 October 1997Input to portfolio project
I want my portfolio to represent an outline on how we, the Training Support Brigade (TSB) plan and design a training lane for the annual training for the Reserve Components. The following is a list of some of the systems that will be used:
1. Lane standards, Army doctrine for that specific task.
2. Overhead slides.
3. Videos
4. Army manuals.
5. Training aids.
6. Diagrams, butcher board
7. Army Internet web page, concerning that topic.
8. Training Assessment Model (TAM).
9. Occupation time standards, spread sheets.
10. TSB evaluation forms, T and E O's, Training Evaluation Outline.I think this will workout well and my team and I can use this constantly to set-up these lanes.
- Plan:
- Week 7
- Educational Technology paper:
- Curriculum resource:
- News article:
- Educational Technology paper:
- Week 8
- Educational Technology paper:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson Robert Gotzmann
21 Oct. 1997Technology paper, week 8 paper#1
I chose the Instructional Development Institute (IDI) model because it is one of the most widely publicized ID models in existence. It is also used to tackle large-scale problems and I thought it would work well with my plan to change the Inactive Duty Training (IDT) for the National Guard prior to their evaluation at their Annual Training (AT) in the summer months. My current job with the Army is to evaluate numerous National Guard units throughout the Northeastern United States. This involves evaluating/critiquing live field exercises in an effort to determine if any foreseeable problems or training deficiencies may need to be addressed or improved upon. I basically act as a liaison between the Active Duty Army and the National Guard, in an effort to improve the readiness rate of these part-time soldiers.
As the current plan stands, the National Guard are observed and evaluated one weekend on a nonofficial basis one time prior to their Annual Training (AT). This nonofficial weekend could come just two weeks prior to their AT evaluation which does not give the soldiers much time to adjust or make changes to areas in need of correcting. Time is a very valuable resource to the National Guard. The units get together as a whole one weekend a month to train and update personal records. For my organization to show up one weekend prior to their AT evaluation does not give the unit a chance to fix their downfalls.
I have used this model to establish a plan to evaluate the guard more often and make their AT evaluation more realistic and knowing the unit was given the chance to establish the standard prior to their arrival in the summer.
1. Needs Assessment: The National Guard units need to be evaluated more frequently than just one weekend prior to their annual evaluation. This would allow the guard unit a chance to correct and establish standards that would aid them in their attempt to succeed at the AT. This would also allow the evaluating team the opportunity to establish a working rapport with unit leaders and soldiers as well as monitor the units progress.
2. Design: The National Guard has twelve weekends to train and prepare for the upcoming AT season. In the case of artillery, certain levels of training must be completed prior to moving to the next step. The tables range from 1 to 12. Table 1 being the easiest soldier skill to master while Table 12 being the hardest, to include battalion live fire exercises and also the AT evaluation. I believe my organization needs to be at all table training exercises in an effort to ensure that the training is conducted properly. This also enables us to establish a foundation in which to measure the training potential within the unit.
3. Development: This would be established, as I have mentioned above, on the use of the Field Artillery Tables 1 - 12. The standards are already established in the Field Manual 6-50. The unit would be assessed based on those standards established by the Army. Using these tables would also keep the National Guard focused on its mission and training plan. Again time is the biggest hurdle for the National Guard. The units are expected to maintain the same standards as the active duty units with less time allocated. The key plan would be to keep them focused on the training that is the most important and critical to their mission.
4. Implementation: We are currently in the process of conducting our training in conjunction with this plan. I have seen a complete turn around of units when it comes to the training and basic understanding of what is expected of them. This plan is still in the initial stages, however, I have seen great success between my team and the National Guard.
5. I have conducted numerous evaluations of the Guards potential and understanding of Army doctrine and standards. The units were unable to perform to those standards. The system of coaching, teaching and mentoring was not working, with one visit prior to the AT evaluation.
This system has already provided numerous rewards. It has enabled the active and inactive units to establish a professional rapport and partnership between one another.
This model consists of more steps than I have provided. In this model they also include the use of a prototype and since this change to our evaluation has just begun this will be our initial model.
- Curriculum resource:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson Robert Gotzmann
20 Oct. 1997 paper#2 week 8http://www.spartanics.com/products/m70.htm
As I have mentioned previously in other class papers, the Army has used the most advanced technology to maintain the highest training standards but in addition basic technological tools are utilized. This tool is a weaponeer which is used by every soldier no matter their field of expertise or technical proficiency.
The weaponeer machine is a tool used to train soldiers on the correct and safe way in which to use a rifle. The use of this machine ensures that every soldier meets or exceeds the Army standard in basic rifle marksmanship. The weaponeer is a plastic rifle with a light beam attached which focuses on teaching the soldier correct breathing methods and trigger squeeze control without actually shooting a live bullet. As a result of this training, most soldiers qualify on the rifle range the first time without any retraining required.
The Army has developed this cost effective machine to ensure all soldiers are adequately trained and qualified in the most effective but yet safe manner. The weaponeer can be used in any room and requires little training or teaching instruction. The breathing and trigger squeeze control methods are the most important aspects in marksmanship and this tool, when used correctly, can enable any soldier to become a expert marksman.
- News article:
GRED 614, Dr. Ferguson Robert Gotzmann
20 Oct 1997USA TODAY, Schools struggle to utilize technology, Tamara Henry October 1997. http://167.8.29.8/plweb- cgi/idoc.pl?5086+unix+_free_user_+cgi.usatoday.com..80+USATODAY_ONLINE+US ATODAY_ONLINE+NEWS+NEWS++education%26technology
In our class discussions we have validated how important technology is in the classroom and how to educate the students using this modern technology. The article I have chosen for this week discusses how schools are not using computers as a teaching tool for various reasons.
Schools have made progress integrating technology to benefit their students, for example, installing updated hardware and linking students to online services. The school districts have the computers and money to buy this technology, however, 26% of teachers lack the training to fully utilize computers for instruction. Fifty-nine percent of the American schools have out dated computers that can no longer be used effectively. Only 3% of the American schools are successfully on target with integrating technology with the academic curriculum. The schools that utilize this technology to educate their students have shown a dramatic increase in learning.
The amount of money the U.S. government is spending on this technology, $4.5 billion last year, is phenomenal as well as wasteful if this statistic is accurate. Prior to issuing the hardware to schools, I feel the administration must agree to include funding for proper computer/equipment training and teacher education. Teachers need to realize the importance of this technology because computers are part of our future and students must be knowledgeable with this technology in order to succeed in the 21st century.
- Educational Technology paper:
- Week 9
- Sound:
- Pictures:
- Network:
- Sound:
- Week 10
- Flowchart:
- Gantt chart:
- PERT chart:
- Gantt chart:
- Flowchart: