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Distance learning portal wins industry award

U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM)’s Joint Knowledge Development and Distribution Capability (JKDDC) was recognized for innovative training advances on its Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) Web portal, particularly the virtual cultural awareness trainer for service members deploying to the Horn of Africa (HOA). 

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By MC2 (AW) Nikki Carter
USJFCOM Public Affairs

(SUFFOLK, Va. May 5, 2010) – U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM)’s Joint Knowledge Development and Distribution Capability (JKDDC) was recognized for innovative training advances on its Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) Web portal.

Joint Knowledge Online  received the U.S. Distance Learning Association 21st Century Best Practices 2010 Award for its online training capability, particularly the virtual cultural awareness trainer for warfighters deploying to the Horn of Africa (HOA). 

The award was presented at a ceremony during the association’s annual conference Tuesday in St. Louis.

Joe Camacho, JKDDC program director, said the trainer was just a concept two years ago but now is providing warfighters on missions to HOA with cultural expectations and basic communication skills.   

"Language and culture are key to where Department of Defense is involved, Camacho said.

He said the cultural trainer gives warfighters a basic understading of the culture he or she will be surrounded by.  The training  focuses primarily on the country of Djibouti and the Horn of Africa’s larger tribal areas.  It provides a current cultural background for that area of operations, and enables users to input personal information like rank, mission and country of interest for a customized virtual experience.

Camacho said another perk to the Web-based training is "having people train online instead of traveling, we saved the DoD a sizeable amount of money."

In two years, JKO has:

• 375,000 course completions
• 2.5 million log-ons
• 125,000 users
• 450 courses with over 2,000 hours of joint training

This national award is given to an agency, institution or company that shows outstanding leadership in the field of distance learning.  

The award recognizes pioneering organizations in the fields that change distance learning, and also new organizations that challenge existing practices by developing innovative solutions for distance learning instruction and distance learning training.