Proof of Concept Trade Study For Type-1 Operator Training

• Main Authors: Jarrel, Debbie, Zaharee, Marcie
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE; Computer Hardware; Computer Programming and Software; COMPUTER PROGRAMS; Computer Systems; COUPLING(INTERACTION); INSTRUCTORS; INTERNET; NETWORKS; ONLINE SYSTEMS; POC(PROOF-OF-CONCEPT); REAL TIME; REQUIREMENTS; SECURE COMMUNICATIONS; SOFTWARE TOOLS; STABILITY; STUDENTS; VENDORS; VIRTUAL REALITY; VU(VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY)

The Virtual University (VU) is described as a computer-based, on-line environment enabling real-time interaction between students and instructors. To leverage the most suitable software for this project LM conducted a two-level proof of concept trade study. For Level I a vendor fly-off was conducted to solicit potential candidates for a virtual classroom solution and of those candidates a down-select process was engaged to determine the two most suitable software products. For Level II informal and formal demonstrations were conducted using a participant forum consisting of instructors, students, and observers. In Level I a request for quote was provided to each of the potential vendor candidates along with a formalized Requirements Matrix. The Requirements Matrix was based on a set of factors considered to be essential to the function of a VU. These factors included the ability to function as a live classroom, be employed over a network or the WWW using existing military infrastructure, enable hands-on use of TBMCS software and the ability to operate in a secure internet environment (https). Of the eight vendor recipients four responded with a completed Requirements Matrix form. The four respondents were Centra, Click2learn, Intranet U, and iLinc/NS (Nelson Stiltner) Software. A weighted criteria set, based on the TBMCS Engineering Notebook, established the mechanism to collect responses for analysis and to select the two most suitable candidates. The original document contains color images. Contains Sample Test Cards and Survey. Presented at the International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (10th) held in McLean, VA on 13-16 Jun 2005.