Portable Professional Development Classrooms for Deployed Soldiers

The US Army has introduced portable professional development classrooms, dubbed the Deployed Digital Training Campus (DDTC), to provide soldiers with access to education and training while deployed in remote areas. These mini-schoolhouses are equipped with laptop workstations, internet access, and video conferencing capabilities, allowing soldiers to work on their military education and gain promotion points. The initiative aims to bridge the gap in professional development for soldiers, especially those in non-dwelling units. The DDTC is part of the Army's Learning Concept 2015, which emphasizes access to technology for education.

Key Takeaways:

• The Deployed Digital Training Campus (DDTC) is a portable professional development classroom initiative developed by the US Army's Distributed Learning System.
• Each DDTC is equipped with 20 laptop workstations, internet access, video tele-training, voice over IP, designated satellite access, and can be set up in less than two hours.
• The DDTC provides soldiers with access to over 1,200 pre-loaded Army Learning Management System courses, enabling them to work on their professional development while deployed.
• Units can request a DDTC from their higher headquarters as they are readying for deployment, and certify unit system operators with a three-day training course.
• The DDTC initiative falls within the Chief of Staff of the Army's Learning Concept 2015, which stresses access to technology to enable education.
• There are currently six DDTC campuses in deployed locations, with plans for a total of 50 to be developed by 2015.
• The capability is not limited to active-duty units, as Reserve and National Guard brigades can also request DDTCs.
• The DDTC has been found to be effective in bridging the gap in professional development for soldiers, especially those in non-dwelling units.

Statistics:

• There are over 1,200 pre-loaded Army Learning Management System courses available through the DDTC.
• The DDTC has been deployed to six locations, with plans for a total of 50 by 2015.
• Each DDTC can be set up in less than two hours.
• Units can request a DDTC from their higher headquarters as they are readying for deployment.
• The DDTC initiative has been found to be effective in providing soldiers with access to education and training while deployed.

Sources:

• Army.mil - "Deployed Digital Training Campus (DDTC)"
• Source stated: "The first DDTC was sent overseas last year..."