The Advanced Distributed Learning program is apparently a US Dept of Defense supported initiative working on developing DLE, which collaborates with various other entities world wide they call “Co-Labs”, including academic groups, but apparently focused on the needs of military training? Whatever the exact funding mechanisms, they are working in a lot of areas that PSA is focused on, and it’s worth an examination of their site to discover the breadth of what they are up to.
We can sympathize with their notable difficulty in actually spelling out what it is they are doing. If PSA experience is any guide, this usually indicates they are really trying to comprehensively address learning in a new way in the new learning environment, and finding the right words to describe all of that is beyond their present capabilities.
…for good reasons…primarily because its too early to say what can be done, and how all these elements can be brought into focus in a understandable structure.
The vision of the ADL Initiative is to provide access to the highest quality learning and performance aiding that can be tailored to individual needs, and delivered cost effectively at the right time and at the right place.
The ADL Initiative has laboratories in two locations: Alexandria, VA and Orlando, FL. These Collaborative Laboratories (Co-Labs) provide the opportunity to prototype and test the latest learning technologies and innovations for the development and delivery of ADL technologies for the DoD. Research and prototyping at the two Co-Labs is primarily focused on various efforts to enhance the next-generation learning environment for the next-generation learner under the umbrella of a comprehensive Training and Learning Architecture. Products and services provided at these facilities include
Next Generation Learning Environment
Learning Registry
Games for Training
Instructional Design
Intelligent Tutors
Mobile Learning
Adaptive Training Research
SCORM® – Learning Standards
SCORM® Testing
Virtual Worlds
3D Repository
The US government has a lot of programs; to date PSA hasn’t systematically searched out all of what is going on for online learning in various Federally supported programs and projects. We did encounter the Carnegie Mellon program a few years ago now, that was developing what they called “support” material online for established university 101 level courses, and was visiting NMSU because NMSU was one of the consortia of participating institutions.
Kudos to Gary for this link.