Jean C. Jones
Program Manager
CNET Electronic Schoolhouse Network

Video Teletraining (VTT) was first proposed for the Navy in 1988 as a way to provide effective training to a greater number of students, with fewer instructors while simultaneously reducing training costs. After an extensive feasibility study identifying training requirements for VTT, network implementation began in 1989 with four east coast sites and one network hub in Virginia Beach, VA. By 1993, VTT had proven to be a viable, cost effective method of training that was also required on the west coast to link training commands coast to coast. The west coast hub was established in San Diego, CA with three remote sites in California and Washington state. Today there are 25 Classrooms nationwide, including two shipboard sites on the CESN, and 58,000 students and conference attendees have used the network since 1989.

Shipboard Training

Shore to ship training on VTT was demonstrated in 1993 using INMARSAT satellite communications on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Although the concept of shipboard VTT training was proven successful, INMARSAT rates were too costly to continue beyond the demonstration phase. During this time, the CNO’s special project, Challenge Athena, began to offer expanded communications to deployed ships by using commercial satellites as a supplement to military satellites providing a high data rate T-1 duplex link to a 2.4 meter antenna shipboard. The USS George Washington and the USS Carl Vinson were the first ships to receive Challenge Athena communications and VTT was implemented on the ships as one of the uses of the new communications system. The ships are scheduled on the CESN as any other remote site, providing training and conferencing opportunities to the deployed Sailor.

Since 1989, 68,000 students and conference attendees have used the CESN in 25 classrooms nationwide.

Network Description

The hubs and remote sites are linked by dedicated FTS-2000 landlines at a fractional T-1 data rate of 384 kbps. Each hub uses a VTEL Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) to connect sites in any desired combination simultaneously. The MCU also switches between the sites at a selectable interval for continuous monitoring by the instructor, and will automatically display a site that is speaking or asking a question creating virtual eye-to-eye contact. The CESN is interoperable with commercial and military network sites globally by accessing the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).

Classrooms

Each classroom has a seating capacity for 24 students at tables installed with push-to-talk microphones. A student camera in front of the classroom is keyed to the student’s microphone and zooms in focusing on the student that has pushed the button opening the microphone. Once the microphone is open, all sites involved in the course or conference will automatically (in less than one second) see and hear the remote site student. This voice activated site switching feature is an automatic function of the MCU and does not require the instructor to manually select sites.

VTT classrooms have two 40-inch monitors in front of the classroom for the students to view the instructor, graphics, or other sites. A 40" monitor in the back of the classroom enables the instructor to see the remote sites, and an adjacent 25" monitor is used to preview graphics.

Training Aids

Instructors have a wide variety of graphics equipment in the VTT classroom to enhance their training. Most instructors present graphics using Power Point software on the classroom computer, which is connected to a VGA to Video Converter. The instructor can illustrate on a Microfield Softboard that replaces the chalk board, and stores the created illustrations on disk. The instructor can also use a VCR, ELMO copystand (overhead projector), slide chain, PEN PAL electronic annotation pad, and a Still Image Recorder which records 50 transparencies (or hard copies) on a 3" disk. All the graphics components can easily be selected by touching the icons on the AMX Controller touchscreen installed on the podium.

As the instructor is teaching to in-house students, a camera in the back of the room is automatically focused on the instructor and tracks him as he moves about the room. Remote site students are able to see the instructor anywhere in the classroom as he (or she) teaches. Under the instructor camera in the back of the classroom is a 40" monitor automatically scrolling through (in 20 second intervals) and showing the instructor all of the remote sites involved in the course convening. When a student asks a question, auto scroll is immediately overridden and the student is seen and heard by all sites.

Instructor Training

All instructors must complete a one day VTT Instructor Training course prior to teaching on the network. The goal of this training is not to change the way the instructor teaches but to support the instructor with the necessary technology to enhance instruction. The course provides the qualified military (or civilian) instructor with the basic knowledge and skills required to conduct training in a distance learning environment. Training focuses on the methodology and technology of distance learning which differs from the standard group dynamics of a confined traditional classroom environment. The course familiarizes the instructor with classroom equipment, graphics modification, interactive teaching techniques, management of the classrooms, and facilitator duties.

Course Selection Criteria

Most of the courses taught on the CESN are softskill administrative type courses that do not require a "hands on" lab or the manipulation of equipment. These courses most readily lend themselves to VTT, and are usually one week or less in length. Historically, short courses of one to two weeks in length that have a high demand and are well attended are the best candidates for VTT. Courses, convening dates, times and locations are advertised by a quarterly message and are published in the Catalog of Navy Training (CANTRAC), available to every Training Officer Navy-wide. Reservations for VTT courses are processed the same as traditional courses through the Quota Control office at the training command.

Future Initiatives

Future plans for the CESN include the implementation of additional shore based and shipboard classrooms and increased interoperability with other networks to share classroom resources. Demonstration projects expanding the capabilities of VTT that are currently being conducted are:

• The implementation of interactive instructor/student computers in VTT classrooms to teach a Reserve management software course between three CESN sites.
• Using Interactive Electronic Training Manuals (IETM) on computer workstations installed in CESN classrooms to enhance lecture training received on VTT.
• Teaching courses on VTT that earn a rating specialty/skill or a Navy Enlisted Classification Code (NEC) to determine the feasibility of using distance learning for longer courses requiring a hands-on lab.
• Collaboration with Old Dominion University to offer off duty college degree/certificate programs that have been specifically tailored for Navy personnel located at CESN sites.

Conclusion/Lessons Learned

VTT offers the opportunity to expand the horizons of military training, conveniently reaching students in or close to their work place, without the disruption of travel away from home. The effectiveness of VTT depends on a multitude of factors that can be divided into two categories:

• The Instructor must be a subject matter expert and establish credibility with the students.
• The Instructor must complete the VTT Instructor Training course.
• The Instructor must coordinate with the site facilitator and mail course materials prior to the convening.

• Standard operating procedures for the daily operation of the network must be complied with by all remote sites.
• Centralize scheduling and data collection at one location.
• Promote business on the network by constantly marketing the capabilities and cost savings of distance learning and conferencing on VTT.