An Cosantóir

ELearning | 15 eLearning: The Way Forward BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOGRAPHS BY SGT MICK BURKE IT applications training has evolved significantly in the De- fence Forces since 1997 when the then Director of Signals, Col Seán Brennan, and the staff of the Military Administration School (MAS) signed the first contract to incorporate ECDL as an IT qualification standard for DF personnel. This involved face-to-face (F2F) training and testing in one of six designated centres: the MAS in the DFTC (the administration centre for the programme) and satellite centres in 2 E Bde, 4 W Bde, 1 S Bde, and the Air Corps and Naval Service colleges. In 2011 the six centres trained over 191 DF personnel on the ECDL. However, in 2007 the Director of Defence Forces Training (DDFT) established a project to develop an eLearning suite for IT applications. The project manager, Sgt Will Fitzgerald, says that the eLearning suite incorporates both training and testing and is based on ECDL Syllabus 5, which includes modules on information and technology (theory); using the computer and managing files; word-processing; spread- sheets; presentations and drawings; databases; communi- cations and information. At the National IT Training Conference in 2011 it was an- nounced that by the beginning of 2012 all ECDL Test Centres would move away from manual testing to online testing using the Automated Testing System (ATS). DDFT funding of €26,000 in 2012 equates to 100 eLearning accounts and sufficient numbers of test credits for over 300 personnel. The DF is maximising its return on this investment by not only conducting F2F and eLearning courses at home but also providing the option of ECDL training, using CD-ROMs, to troops serving overseas. Currently 65 members of the Irish contingent serving with UNIFIL are undertaking the course. The MAS, D CIS, DFHQ CIS Coy and DFTC CIS Detachment were central to the delivery of the ECDL programme. Sgt MAS Instructor staff with the Best Practice award for ECDL. Pádraig Ging (ECDL Co-ordinator and Defence Forces Point- of-Contact for ECDL Training), Sgt Sandra Murphy (Deputy ECDL Co-ordinator), Sgt Sinéad Wearen and Cpl Mick Cully are members of the team whose expertise and knowledge was key to the success of the entire ECDL project. In 2012 the DF led the way again, winning the Best Practice award for ECDL at the 15th National IT Training Conference. This award recognised the high standards of DF ECDL training at home and abroad, and is testament to the quality of instruc- tion and instructional staff who conduct ECDL training. Entry to the eLearning scheme requires no application: simply ring your local test centre and indicate your interest to under- take the eLearning. The staff of the training centre will register you for an eLearning account at a cost of €40. You can then log in to the eLearning suite on any internet PC (work or home). However, personnel need to be aware that training is done in their own time and requires a considerable effort to complete. You must complete the seven modules within an acceptable time period; these modules are continually assessed and moni- tored by the test centre staff. Each test centre advertises walk-in test days for the differ- ent modules and you can call the test centre to reserve a place. On completion of the final module exam your results will be marked up on the TMS, thus (if you have passed) resulting in the course being registered on the PMS (AF 43/AF108) and you will be awarded an ECDL certificate. The project for all DF ECDL Test Centres was launched on 16th eLearning launch with ICS and DF staff, instructors and students ICS SKILLS Conference (Best Practice Awards Defence Forces) © Mick Langan (2012) March in the MAS by Maj Gen Ralph James (D COS Ops), Mr Jim Friars (CEO ICS Skills) and Mary Cleary (ICS Skills) and the first batch of testing using the new ATS has been completed (see photo below). It is with thanks to all the stake holders through lots of con- sultation and testing that this project has been made pos- sible, these include: DDFT, D CIS, MAS, BTCs, DFHQ CIS IT Ops, Air Corps and Naval Colleges, Capt Helen McQuaid (IT Offr SSU), Lt Col Anthony Bracken (OC MAS), ICS Skills and Enlight. www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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