Advanced Distributed Learning for a Growing Security Community
E Editorial · Information & Security An International Journal · 2004
A number of terms are used to denote the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education and training: learning technologies, interactive multimedia instruction, computer-based training, networked learning, elearning, etc.Some of them are more specific than others, and the choice of Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) as a title and main topic of this issue of Information & Security was driven by two factors.First, the term ADL originated within the initiative, which is related to military education and training and, thus, it is probably known to regular readers of this journal.Second, the term is well known outside of this community; some associate it with targeted approach to deployment of learning technologies in educational institutions.Considering the community's attitude to the use of ICT in education in the last decade, it is possible to notice some changes.On the one hand, those who pioneered transformation of traditional education processes to distance learning and training slowed down innovations to evaluate outcomes and identify areas of promising return on investment (ROI).On the other hand, more and more educators are willing to learn how to use ICT in their professional activities and are ready for a try.Both sides agree that particular technologies are useful and effective in certain situations.This is a good starting point.ADL is not seeking to substitute each educational process and get teachers and trainers out of job; it rather creates a spectrum of technologies for learning and training support to make the process efficient, affordable and accessible.The papers in this special issue discuss variety of applications and technologies and represent views from around the world on the role and perspectives of ADL.Altogether, they form a picture of objectives, achievements, research topics, practical tasks, and thoughts related to ADL.