Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

iFEST artwork

iFEST 2021

Learning and Thriving in the New Normal

August 31, 2021 - September 2, 2021

Online Conference

iFEST artwork

Mark your calendars for 31 August – 2 September to join us virtually for iFEST 2021.

A year of dramatic shifts in online education and training have made iFEST 2021 a must-participate conference for the distributed learning community. iFEST brings together senior officials and innovators from government, industry, and academia for this three-day online conference to discuss new solutions for the new normal. If you have a role or interest in education and training modernization, you’ll want to be part of iFEST 2021.

In addition, conference attendees can enjoy a live-streamed War on the Rocks (WOTR) panel centered around learning modernization for PME that will be recorded live on 31 August and will also be recorded for the popular WOTR podcast.

What Can You Expect at iFEST?

Keynote Speakers artwork Featured Panels artwork Live Activities artwork On-demand Content artwork Live-streamed Podcast artwork

iFEST 2021 Keynote Speakers

Rep. Robert C. Bobby Scott
Legislative Keynote
Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Chairman, House Committee on Education and Labor

MG Donn Hill
Military Keynote
Major General Donn H. Hill, Deputy Commanding General – Education (DCG-E), Provost Army University, and Deputy Commandant Command and General Staff College

Dustin Brown SES
Government Keynote
Dustin Brown, Deputy Assistant Director, Office of Management and Budget

Learning, Development, and Data…on the Rocks!
Tuesday, 31 August, 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. EDT

The Federal government, and in particular the Department of Defense, is prioritizing workforce, technology, and data modernization goals. Specific projects address topics like employee upskilling and reskilling, military personnel credentialing, technology-enabled training, next-generation wargaming, enterprise shared services, data interoperability, and AI-informed talent management. But these aren’t independent lines of effort. There’s a convergence of learning, development, technology, and data that’s heralding a fundamental change in how DoD educates, trains, prepares, and manages its military and civilian workforce.

The concept of an AI-informed, data-centric, hire-to-retire continuum of learning is fast becoming a reality, and with it, new questions are forming—from policy and ethics to agility and overmatch. In this panel, senior leaders will discuss the challenges, implications, and promise of modernizing learning and development in the DoD and beyond. How will these advancements contribute to readiness? How will new approaches in talent management affect the composition of the force? What might professional military education look like in an unfettered, modernized future state? What are the risks if this momentum falters, and we’re left with today’s training, education, and workforce systems?

Maj. Gen. Andrea D. Tullos
Maj. Gen. Andrea D. Tullos
Deputy Commander, Air Education and Training Command

BG Charles T. Lombardo
BG Charles T. Lombardo
Deputy Commanding General, CAC–T, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center

Hon. Alan R. Shaffer
Hon. Alan R. Shaffer
Regent, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment

Ryan Evans, CEO of War on the Rocks, will host a 90-minute panel as part of a live recording of the War on the Rocks podcast.

Agenda

Tuesday, 31 August (all times in Eastern Daylight Time, GMT-4) Online Live Presentations

ALL DAY

iFEST CONFERENCE PLATFORM | Browse pre-recorded presentations, posters, exhibits, and more!

9:00–9:15 a.m.

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS

  • RADM James A. Robb, USN (Ret), President, National Training & Simulation Association

  • Sae Schatz, Ph.D., Director, ADL Initiative

9:15–10:00 a.m.

GOVERNMENT KEYNOTE SESSION | Mr. Dustin Brown

  • Dustin Brown, SES, Deputy Assistant Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget

  • Session moderator: Sae Schatz, Ph.D., Director, ADL Initiative

10-MINUTE BREAK | Exhibits and Virtual Platform Open

10:10–11:30 a.m.

PANEL | Learning and Thriving in the New Normal

Discussion among diverse experts on the relationship between distributed learning and thriving in the 21st century

  • Rebecca Allyn, Education to Workforce Statewide Workforce Development Lead, Amazon Web Services

  • Brian Gonzalez, Global Director, Government Partnerships & Initiatives, Intel Corporation

  • Tim Quine, Ph.D., Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education, University of Exeter

  • Anthony Salcito, Vice President – Worldwide Education, Microsoft

  • Sarah Toms, Executive Director, Wharton Interactive

  • Moderators: Nunzio Quacquarelli, CEO, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, and Jerry Wind, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor, The Wharton School, Co-Founders of Reimagine Education Awards

60-MINUTE BREAK | Exhibits and Virtual Platform Open

12:30-12:35 p.m.

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS

  • Jason Briefel, Director of Policy and Outreach, Senior Executives Association

12:35–1:20 p.m.

LEGISLATIVE KEYNOTE SESSION | Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA)

  • Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Chair, U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor

  • Session moderators: Jason Briefel, Director of Policy and Outreach, Senior Executives Association and Linda Brent, Ed.D., Director, Strategic Planning, NTSA and CEO, The ASTA Group.

10-MINUTE BREAK | Exhibits and Virtual Platform Open

1:30–3:00 p.m.

PANEL | Bridging the Gap: Digital Learning Acquisitions Discussion with Government and Industry

Fishbowl conversation between Government and Industry on acquisition opportunities, questions, and challenges

  • Britaini Carroll, Human Capital Principal Director, Workforce Transformation, Accenture Federal

  • Matthew T. Cornelius, Executive Director, Alliance for Digital Innovation

  • Christina Rhylander, MITRE, Digital and Acquisition Transformation (serving DoD Acquisitions)

  • John Schwartz, Head of Global Business Development, edX

  • Jason Tyszko, VP, Center for Education and Workforce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

  • Moderator: JJ Walcutt, Ph.D., President/CEO, Clay Strategic Designs

30-MINUTE BREAK | Exhibits and Virtual Platform Open

3:30–5:00 p.m.

About - War on the Rock's

WAR ON THE ROCKS PANEL | Learning, Development, and Data...on the Rocks!

Live streaming event featuring a VIP panel (with podcast recording), supported by War on the Rocks

  • Maj. Gen. Andrea D. Tullos, Deputy Commander, Air Education and Training Command

  • BG Charles T. Lombardo, Deputy Commanding General, CAC–T, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center

  • The Hon. Alan R. Shaffer, Regent, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment

  • Moderator: Ryan Evans, Founder and CEO, War on the Rocks

5:00-6:00 p.m.

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE | Virtual Exhibits, Posters, and Asynchronous Pre-recorded Video Sessions

Visit the exhibits and other activities in the virtual platform!

Wednesday, 1 September (all times in Eastern Daylight Time, GMT-4) Online Live Presentations

ALL DAY

iFEST CONFERENCE PLATFORM | Browse pre-recorded presentations, posters, exhibits, and more!

9:00–9:05 a.m.

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS

  • Keith Beurskens, DM, Deputy, Directorate of Academic Affairs, Army University

9:05–10:00 a.m.

MILITARY KEYNOTE SESSION | MG Donn H. Hill

  • MG Donn H. Hill, Deputy Commanding General – Education, Provost, Army University, and Deputy Commandant, Command and General Staff College

  • Session moderator: Keith Beurskens, DM, Deputy, Directorate of Academic Affairs, Army University

15-MINUTE BREAK | Exhibits and Virtual Platform Open

10:15–11:45 a.m.

PANEL | Modernizing Training for Integrated Operations

Discussion among defense leaders on collaborative training and education among allies and partners

  • BG Ilmars A. Lejins, Asst. Chief of Staff Joint Force Development, NATO ACT

  • Col David Gagua, Commander, NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center

  • Col Carl-Fredrik Kleman, Chief of Operations, Viking 22, Swedish AF Joint Training Center

  • Zoran Šajinović, Assistant Minister of Defense, Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Fred Engle, Director, Military Training, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Education and Training, USA

  • Moderator: Aaron Presnall, Ph.D., President, Jefferson Institute

60-MINUTE BREAK | Exhibits and Virtual Platform Open

12:45–2:15 p.m.

PANEL | Innovation in Government Learning Systems

Discussion among government leaders on how their organizations are modernizing digital learning systems

  • Daniel Correa, Director, Day One Project, and Acting President, Federation of American Scientists

  • Beth Simone Noveck, Ph.D., Chief Innovation Officer, The State of New Jersey

  • Amy Parker, Chief Learning Officer, Dept. of Veterans Affairs (Ret)

  • Alicia Sanchez, Ph.D., Director of Innovation, DAUx

  • Moderator: Frank Kelley, SES, Vice President, Defense Acquisition University

2:15–2:30 p.m.

WRAP UP

Closing discussion for the live event and plans for 2022

  • Angie Gamble, Ph.D., Training Systems Management Specialist, CAC-T ATSC, iFEST 2022 Program Chair

  • James Goodell, Senior Analyst, QIP, iFEST 2021 Program Committee Member

  • Christopher Hardy, Ph.D., Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation, Defense Acquisition University, iFEST

  • Frank Kelley, SES, Vice President, Defense Acquisition University, iFEST 2021 Conference Chair

  • Sae Schatz, Ph.D., Director, ADL Initiative, iFEST Senior Government Advisor

2:30–5:00 p.m.

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE | Virtual Exhibits, Posters, and Asynchronous Pre-recorded Video Sessions

Visit the exhibits and other activities in the virtual platform!

Thursday, 2 September (all times in Eastern Daylight Time, GMT-4) Online Live Activities

ALL DAY

iFEST CONFERENCE PLATFORM | Browse pre-recorded presentations, posters, exhibits, and more!

9:00–9:45 a.m.

CONCURRENT ACTIVITY SESSIONS (Live)

  • Start Making Sense: Integrating Learning Engineering into a Team

    Dina Kurzweil, Ph.D., Asst. Professor of Medicine, Director ETI, Uniformed Services University Health Sciences (USUHS) and Beth (Karen) Marcellas, Ph.D., Instructional Systems Specialist, Education & Technology Innovation Support Office, USUHS

  • From IdeaScale to Scaling an Idea: Learning Innovation at Joint Base Andrews

    Shelly Blake-Plock, President and CEO, Yet Analytics, TSgt Jules Ponton, ManPower Analyst, 316th Force Support Squadron, and Amanda Kaelber, Project Manager, Yet Analytics Inc.

  • The Anatomy of an Effective Webinar

    Gigi Roman, ADL Coordinator, NATO School Oberammergau, Germany, and Tanja Geiss

  • The Future of Competence in the Workforce and the Role of CaSS

    Robby Robson, Ph.D., Eduworks, Dennis Mills, NETC, Ben Goldberg, Ph.D., STTC, Matt Lisle, Georgia Tech, LCDR Jake Norris, ONR, Laurie “LJ” Johnson, Accenture Federal Services

15-MINUTE BREAK | Exhibits and Virtual Platform Open

10:00–10:45 a.m.

CONCURRENT ACTIVITY SESSIONS (Live)

  • From Classroom to Online to Blended Training: A Challenge Workshop toward Effective Blended Learning

    Bill Brantley, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, University of Maryland

  • Publish an Augmented Reality Training Module in Under an Hour Using the BUNDLAR Platform

    Matthew Wren, Chief Technology Officer, BUNDLAR, LLC

  • Transform Your Training Simulations and Learning Platforms into Streaming Event Sources for Machine-Learning-Based Human Performance Measurement

    Douglas Stein, CTO, Metacog Technologies, LLC

  • The Future of Competence in the Workforce and the Role of CaSS - Big Ideas

    Robby Robson, Ph.D., Eduworks, Brent Smith, ADL Initiative, Ben Ervin, ONR, Deborah Everhart, Ph.D., Credential Engine, Vincent Villanueva, AETC, Brandt Daurge, Boeing

15-MINUTE BREAK | Exhibits and Virtual Platform Open

11:00–11:45 a.m.

CONCURRENT ACTIVITY SESSIONS (Live)

  • Public Review: Draft NATO ADL Handbook, Annex on ADL in Exercises

    Aaron Presnall, Ph.D., President, Jefferson Institute

  • Mapping Your Ecosystem: Navigating the Complexities of Uniting Content and Data Across Multiple Systems

    Tammy Rutherford, Managing Director, and Chris Tompkins, Director of Sales, Rustici Software

  • Human and AI Agent Teaming to Improve DoD Red Team Collective Skills

    Tashara Cooper, M.A., Research Psychologist, Jonathan Harris, Computer Engineer, Cybersecurity, and Timothy Welch, Instructional Systems Specialist, NAWCTSD

  • Usage of CaSS - Technical Demonstrations and Discussions

    Fritz Ray, CTO, Eduworks, Matt Lislie, Georgia Tech

15-MINUTE BREAK | Exhibits and Virtual Platform Open

12:00–5:00 p.m.

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE | Virtual Exhibits, Posters, and Asynchronous Pre-recorded Video Sessions

Visit the exhibits and other activities in the virtual platform!

On-Demand Posters, Presentations, and Tutorials by Topic Area | Available through 1 October 2021
ANNUAL TIMELY TOPIC – LEARNING AND THRIVING IN THE NEW NORMAL

POSTERS

  • Pivoting to Virtual Vocational Instruction Across NAVSCIATTS: Methods and Lessons Learned

    Dina Acklin, Director, Engineering Psychologist, and Shannon B. Turner, Naval STEM Researcher, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

  • Learning Engineering for the New Normal

    James Goodell, Senior Analyst, QIP

  • Turning Maintenance Challenges into Opportunities with AR

    Stephen Wall, Augmented Reality Technical Fellow, PTC

PRESENTATIONS

  • Transforming Learning in the New Normal Using Extended Reality

    E.J. Dougherty, Accenture Federal Services XR Capability Lead, Accenture

  • Digital Dexterity in the New Normal: Bridging the E-Gap by Answering NATO DEEP Community Needs with Quality Training Initiatives within NATO DEEP eAcademy

    Marcin Józwiak, Senior Instructional Designer, NATO DEEP eAcademy

  • Getting Ready for Your Close Up: Evidence Based Practices for Recording Success

    Dina Kurzweil, Ph.D., Asst. Professor of Medicine, Director ETI, Linda Macaulay, Ph.D., E-Learning/Instructional Designer, Karen (Beth) Marcellas, Ph.D., Instructional Systems Specialist, and Brandon Henry, Instructional Systems Specialist, Uniformed Services University Health Sciences (USUHS)

DIGITAL LEARNING SCIENCE

POSTERS

  • SoLaR - Improving the Link Between Science of Learning for Education and Readiness using the Learning Science Evaluation Checklist

    Scotty D. Craig, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Arizona State University

PRESENTATIONS

  • Training Effectiveness Framework for Augmented and Virtual Reality

    James Belanich, Ph.D., Research Staff Member, Institute for Defense Analyses

  • Personalized Neuro-informed Learning and the New Role of Instructors as Facilitators

    JJ Walcutt, Ph.D., President/CEO, Clay Strategic Designs and Lt. Nicholas Armendariz, US Navy

LEARNING DATA

POSTERS

  • IEEE's New Reusable Competency Definitions Data Standard

    James Goodell, Senior Analyst, QIP

  • Data Visualization in VR Marksmanship Training

    Andrew McCormick, VR Developer, Horus Vision

PRESENTATIONS

  • Measuring Success: Using Data to Identify Effective Digital Instruction Practices

    Steve Bailey, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Blackboard

  • A Data Strategy to Drive a Training Strategy in the Synthetic Training Environment

    Benjamin Goldberg, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, CCDC-Soldier Center

  • cmi5 Update

    Andy Johnson, Specifications and Standards Manager, ADL Initiative (SETA Contractor)

  • Building a Competency Based Data Science Certificate Program

    Hong Liu, Ph.D., Professor, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and Naomi Malone, Learning Scientist, ADL Initiative (SETA Contractor)

  • Total Learning Architecture's Master Object Model: Linking Learners to Other TLA Data

    Brent Smith, RD&E Principal, Florian Tolk, Software Engineer, John Martin, Software Engineer, Yihua Liu, Data Scientist, ADL Initiative (SETA Contractors)

LEARNING TECHNOLOGY

POSTERS

  • Applying User Experience Research Techniques to Support the Development of Learning Technology: Evaluations of the PERvasive Learning System (PERLS)

    Scotty D. Craig, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Arizona State University

  • NetSearch Platform, the Nuclear Deterrent for Academic Fraud

    Keith Maycock, Ph.D., CEO, NetSearch Platform Limited

  • Putting the Pieces Together: Centralizing Content Distribution Across Systems

    Tammy Rutherford, Managing Director, Rustici Software

  • Generic Automatic Performance Assessment for Simulator Training

    Robert Schaefer, Ph.D., Software Developer, Rheinmetall Electronics

  • PERLS - Transitioning from a Research Project to a Production Ready Learning Experience Platform for Government

    Chad Udell, Managing Partner, Float LLC

PRESENTATIONS

  • Deploying Enterprise VR Training at Scale

    Tony Bevilacqua, Founder & CEO, Cognitive3D

  • Learning is Changing: Can the Learning Experience Platform (LXP) and Microlearning be the Keys to Developing a Leading-Edge Workforce?

    Crista Crago-Spangler, D.C.D., Learning Technology Strategist, ADL Initiative

  • IA via AI Intelligence Augmentation Through Artificial Intelligence

    Chris Dede, Ph.D., Wirth Professor in Learning Technologies, and Ashley Etemadi, Graduate Research Assistant, Harvard Graduate School of Education

  • Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Train the Acquisition Workforce

    Kim Kendall, Professor, Defense Acquisition University

  • VIROO: Innovation. It's in VR.

    David Moreno, CMO, Virtualware

  • Competency-Based Experiential-Expertise Exercise Design

    Kevin Owens, Engineering Scientist, ARL: The University of Texas at Austin

  • How To Build Adaptive Training and Military Amid a Future of Uncertainty

    Charles Richer, Vice President of Business Development, Modest Tree

  • ADL & DevSecOps: Soup, Nuts, and Our Ongoing Adventure

    Alec Romine, Software Engineer, and Trey Hayden, Lead Software Engineer, ADL Initiative (SETA Contractors)

  • Virtual Reality Training for NATO Operational & Equipment

    Paul Thurkettle, NATO Training Technologies Section Head, NATO ACT

  • How DevSecOps will Change Your Projects for the Better

    Chad Udell, Managing Partner, Float, LLC, and Jennifer Murphy, Ph.D., CEO, QIC

  • What is "Learning" in an LMS?

    Whitney Whealdon, Director of Learning Innovation, and Steve Midgley, Founder and Managing Director, Learning Tapestry

POLICY

PRESENTATIONS

  • Planning for Success: Implementing xAPI in the Navy

    Jason Haag, Consultant, Veracity Technology Consultants

TUTORIALS

  • Implementing and Testing Your xAPI Data Strategy

    Florian Tolk, Software Engineer, Yihua Liu, Data Scientist, and Andy Johnson, Specifications and Standards Manager, ADL Initiative (SETA Contractors)

TECHNOLOGY INTEROPERABILITY

POSTERS

  • Evolution of eLearning Standards: Moving from SCORM to xAPI-Where Does cmi5 Fit?

    George Vilches, Principal Software Engineer; Project CATAPULT Lead, Rustici Software

  • How to Keep Your Castle: Retrofitting "Brick and Mortar" Training

    Jill Wierzba, Ph.D., Senior Instructional Systems Designer, SAIC

PRESENTATIONS

  • K12 OCX: Open Content Exchange

    Phil Barker, Ph.D., Consultant and Partner, Cetis LLP and Steve Midgley, Founder and Managing Director, Learning Tapestry

  • Launching into cmi5: A closer look at Project CATAPULT

    Brian Miller, Principal Software Engineer; Project CATAPULT Lead, Rustici Software, and Andy Johnson, Specifications and Standards Manager, ADL Initiative (SETA Contractor)

  • Logical Model for TLA Data Interoperability Standards

    Brent Smith, RD&E Principal, ADL Initiative (SETA Contractor)

TUTORIALS

  • Using xAPI to Track Learning Experiences in Unity Projects

    Art Werkenthin, CEO, RISC, Inc.

View a Recap of Last Year’s iFEST:

Artwork of Last Year's iFEST
4:52
Event PDF Agenda