Technology-based training in the Australian Army: a decade of development

In the space of a decade the Australian Army has moved from developing its first CD-ROM training package (Army Doctrine Electronic Library – ADEL), to the establishment of a series of technology-based Regional Training Centres using staff produced CD-ROM packages (developed in Macromedia Director™) and in 2004 to the development and deployment of browser-based packages for networked delivery (using Outstart’s Evolution®. and ThinQ’s™ Learner Management System) over the Defence Online Management and Instructional Network (DOMAIN). Implementing such changes within an inherently traditional, hierarchical organization has required vision and determination by individual champions supporting technology based training supported by systematic planning. The major driver has been the new focus on learner facilitation rather then training provision. This paper outlines the key stages in this evolution and suggests some of the challenges that lie ahead.