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| A Patriot Breeze by Dr. M. Abel |
Technology is here to stay while the development of
higher levels of skill to effectively handle that technology is important. A paper by Eparu & Atanasiu (2014)
discusses the need to raise technological abilities through online training by
encouraging higher levels of military systems development. The human ability to
develop strategy and make political decisions is enhanced through proper
systems and technological knowledge that allow for a more collaborative
response to threats.
The nature of the battlefield has changed. Data and
information can be drawn from thousands of data points to understand the situation
and the potential for threat. Understanding how data can lead to better
conclusions of current and future activities is important for improved
performance.
The far majority of militaries are simply not
prepared to measure, collect and properly use new information effectively.
Misinterpretations of the data, improper measurements, and a lack of
capabilities to act decisively on that information appear prevalent.
Officers have some difficulty in understanding this
macro data or solve problems using that data in unique ways. More complexity
requires a different way of handling competing information, weighing and
balancing options, and coming to conclusions in difficult situations.
Those decisions also impact the specific use of
technology on the ground level. There is a natural chain-reaction throughout
the battlefield as new data is decided on and those decisions are spread
quickly to change specific activities. Individual soldiers will need to use
technology based equipment to respond quickly and effectively to emerging
threats.
You can see this example in enemy troop movements
that are not yet completely formulated but are nevertheless represented
sparsely in the data. Officers will need to interpret the change of events, make
a decision that counters risks and raises opportunities, and then send their
decisions to multiple battlefield components that use their individual tools to
respond.
The author’s conclusion is that all modern
militaries update knowledge using e-learning methods. The development of higher
functioning ranges through the use of verbal, decision-making, information
gathering, analysis and a whole host of contributing skills that can be taught
online. Game simulation is only one of the skills needed to accomplish military
goals. E-learning programs can be more effective through developing learning
policy, measuring performance, applying learning resources, maintaining learning
standards, and satisfying users.
Eparu, D. & Atanasiu, M. (April 24-25,2014) New
training for successful military action. The
10th International Scientific Conference eLearning and Software for
Education
