Whether public or private, leading learning organizations are those that innovate to create competitive advantage.
by David Vance
December 27, 2009
What makes an organization a leading organization? Whether public or private, leading learning organizations are those that innovate to create competitive advantage. Air Education and Training Command (AETC), the U.S. Air Force’s recruiting, education and training arm, does just that: It leverages innovation in pursuit of greater effectiveness, efficiency and success. <p>The Air Force has a heritage rooted in technology and innovation. From its earliest days, airmen have sought better ways to dominate the domains in which they operate — air, space and now cyberspace. Today, developing superior capabilities that enable global vigilance, reach and power proves vital to U.S. security. Leading learning innovation is the key to developing the nation’s future airmen and these superior capabilities. </p> <p>Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, commander of AETC, recently stated that, in addition to recruiting, education and training, innovation must be one of AETC’s core competencies. He believes, as a global leader, that education and training programs must be cutting edge.</p> <p>So just how is AETC pursuing innovation to establish cutting-edge learning programs? First, we used Lorenz’s vision to “deliver unrivaled air, space and cyberspace education and training” as a guiding principle. Next, we developed new learning concepts — such as knowledge management, continuous learning and precision learning — that will guide the development of future airmen. Finally, we’ve begun to pursue creative new ways to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of our learning programs. Let me give you some examples.</p> <p>The key to innovation is to create an environment where new ideas and risk taking are encouraged and supported. To that end, AETC established a process called Advanced Learning Technology Demonstrations (ALTDs), which funds and manages projects that explore new ideas, determines their value and assesses whether they should be implemented across AETC and the Air Force. Through these ALTD projects, the AETC will learn from experience and implement new programs that leverage successes. Initial ALTD efforts include projects focused on social networking, podcasting, virtual classrooms, mobile learning and online testing security. </p> <p>To showcase the latest technologies and inspire new thinking, AETC established an Innovation Center at its headquarters in the Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. The center offers some of the latest education and training simulations and technologies, including a virtual environment in Second Life called MyBase, the latest unmanned aircraft system simulator and mobile learning devices. The center also provides a unique environment to nurture out-of-the-box thinking. </p> <p>To reward innovation initiatives and successes, AETC established a formal Innovation Award program recognizing accomplishments in two categories: Innovation in Education and Innovation in Training. The AETC commander presents the awards at the annual AETC Symposium held each January in San Antonio. </p> <p>To oversee the whole effort, AETC formed a Future Learning Division to manage learning innovation studies and projects and to assist with the implementation and integration of successful projects into commandwide programs. To provide guidance and prioritize requirements, AETC established a formal governance structure that includes a future learning working group, board and council. This structure ensures AETC’s senior leaders are actively involved in setting priorities and guiding learning innovation. To monitor the outcome of learning innovation efforts, the command incorporated cutting-edge technology objectives and measures into the AETC balanced scorecard. The latest initiatives and performance results are reviewed quarterly by senior leaders using balanced scorecard data. </p> <p>The real test of commitment to learning innovation comes in the form of funding. To this end, the Air Force supports AETC’s efforts by providing the financial resources necessary to pursue multiple advanced learning studies and ALTDs and to transition these projects into innovative education and training programs. </p> <p>During the past few years, AETC has implemented several new programs that attempt to leverage creativity and innovation: the Air Command and Staff College Online Master’s Degree, Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative, Air Advisor training, Combat Airmen Skills Training, Unmanned Aircraft Systems training, Advanced Distributed Learning courses, and a retooled Air and Space Basic Course. </p> <p>Leaders in learning innovation have a clear competitive advantage. And for the U.S. Air Force, being a leader in learning innovation is critical, both for creating the competitive advantage to win today’s fight as well as for developing tomorrow’s airmen. </p>