Proposed DAU Solution
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| Our final prototype |
Our client, Defense Acquisition University (DAU) is responsible for the training and career development of members of the Acquisitions, Technology & Logistics (AT&L) workforce of the Department of Defense. This workforce is 130,000 strong and must keep up with ever-changing requirements to do their jobs. DAU delivers face-to-face, online, and blended courses as well as a number of informal learning assets to meet this need.
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| Our initial conceptual framework consisted of four parts - the user community was later dropped because this is something DAU already has. |
In our project, we were tasked with examining how DAU can best utilize the latest technologies to support the educational needs of the workforce. We examined three areas of emerging technology: social media and web 2.0 tools, immersive virtual worlds and gaming, and mobile technology. Through our initial research, we defined two key areas of need at DAU: how to select the most appropriate technology within DAU's constraints and how to implement these technologies. We have proposed an online tool to meet these needs.
The tool was initially conceptualized to have four components:
Resources: This is where the meat of the tool will reside. Throughout our initial analysis at DAU, we heard repeatedly that developers and designers need to use technologies that have been proven in the classroom. This is where that proof will live in the form of a series of white papers about technology use in education.
Online Decision Tool: No one has time to read all those research papers. This tool was conceived with the idea that decision-makers at DAU need research-supported answers quickly. This tool will use our research, as well as DAU's specific needs, to help users make decisions about technology selection.
Training: So you've made a decision on what technology to use - now what? How do you implement appropriately in your class? This section of the tool will include tutorials on implementation and examples of best practices.
User Community: Many stakeholders at DAU pointed out problems with duplication of work and lack of sharing of resources. We have included an online community to provide a place for users to ask and answer questions and to share resources around new technology.
We developed this framework into a a web-based performance and decision support tool for DAU called Learning Asset Technology Integration Support Tool ( LATIST). Take a look at the initial wireframes and the decision aide and factors grid prototypes that I created for our team. We worked with Bean Creative to create our prototype in WordPress. We also contracted with In-Brief Videos to create introductory videos. The rest of the content was designed and developed by our GMU team.