Paul Ashman , School Social Sciences, Southern Cross University. Email: pashma10@scu.edu.au

Allan Ellis , School Social Sciences, Southern Cross University, Email: aellis@scu.edu.au

Keywords

Distance Learning, Web, CD-ROM, Australian Army

Abstract

Promotion from Private to Corporal is seen as the most crucial step in a soldier's career. As such this step receives a disproportionate amount of organisational and personal attention compared to any other course run in the Australian Army. During 2004 the role of a Corporal was reviewed with the result that course competencies were increased and aligned for both full-time Australian Regular Army and Active Reserve Corporals. This case study will review why this pilot course was targeted for delivery by distance, its failure and subsequent revision and development as a distance training method using a Web-based delivery platform.

It is crutial that Army understands that how it applies distance learning processes will impact upon how the success of its training programs are percieved, this will then reveal the opportunities for the organisation to move forward to correct any faults. And, with using a Web-based training system Army will have to deal with organisational issues such as the cultural resistance to learning via distance training, the use of technology and the evolving role of instructors. The complexities inherent within the Australian Army's current distance learning strategy are identified. The problem for Army is to adopt a Web-based distance training approach while integrating its cultural traditions; that is, value traditional authoritarian instructor/student relationships, belief in success as a foundation, resisting change while maintaining evolutionary not revolutionary processes.