NATO Virtual Worlds InvestigationWayne Buck

Modelling and Simulation Analyst

The IA Training Challenge• Statement of the Military Problem - Current training available to

Individual Augmentees (IAs) reporting to international headquarters may not adequately prepare them to rapidly and efficiently integrate.

• Outcome - Evidence that a virtual world training capability can provide a solution

• Objective - To determine the applicability and potential value of a virtual world training program

• Products - A readily available and effective training program for IAs• Activities - A line of experimentation leading to confirmation of the

hypothesis that collaborative virtual world training can better prepare staff officers for integration into an existing multi-national headquarters.

Virtual Environments and Blended Learning• Classroom Based Learning

– Face-to-face instruction, mentoring, role- playing, coaching, and case studies

• Collaborative Learning– Working with peers, e-labs, virtual field trips, team

exercises, group activities, threaded discussions, and wikis

• Interactive Learning, Simulations and Games– Experience and experimentation– Computer based training modules, learning

objects, interactive games, coaching, and simulations

• Performance Support and Reference Materials– Knowledge capture/knowledge management– Web pages, pdf’s, Web lectures, podcasts, videos,

and blogs 4

The Customer’s Needs• Working closely with Allied Command

Transformation Joint Force Trainer (JFT) to match training requirements with new M&S capabilities

• Ideas and imagination…processed into experimentation…fielded for evaluation and if practical….developed into deliverable tools for Education and Training Facilities (ETF’s)

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5

2009 2010 2011

Commercial Technologies

Report Findings

LOE - VMASC

Virtual WorldsReport Findings

Commercial Technologies

Report Findings

MSG-074 Commercial Technologies

MSG-078 Commercial Technologies

MSG-093 Commercial Technologies

(VW)

ITEC ITEC ITECI/ITSEC I/ITSEC

LOE - CDE Conference

GameTechNexusWins RFP

Transformer

MIOTCDemonstration

ASIA NH-31 MIOTC

Past, Current and Future Work

Second LifeIsland

Future into relativity • Practical solutions delivered into the NATO

Education and Training Facilities (NETF’s)• Supported by HQ SACT Joint Education and

Training • “Pushing the window” into education and training

technology but with consideration and solid foundations

• Delivery online or supported servers or contained

Wayne Buck

buck@act.nato.int

+1.757.747.4321

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Questions?

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