In-Person iFEST 2022 Focuses on Collaborations to Achieve DoD's Vision for Distributed Learning

The modernization of DoD’s eLearning systems is fueled by an ever-increasing variety of education and training technologies. To enable a Department-wide, data-driven learning ecosystem, a distributed learning strategy is required to harness the right tools and create the right partnerships. iFEST 2022, planned for 16-18 August in Alexandria, Virginia, will showcase the path forward for realizing this vision. The conference is specifically geared toward professionals who engage in leveraging technology and instructional media to enhance digital education and training.

iFEST 2022 is the premier conference on Distributed Learning for DoD and beyond, bringing together thought leaders, innovators, and senior officials from military, government, industry, and academia. This year’s theme is: New Paradigm of Learning: Partner and Prevail. The event will highlight the value of collaborations to achieve enterprise-level interoperability and widespread adoption of key learning technologies and standards.

“We have just approved a collection of cutting-edge technical presentations, and are readying a world-class lineup of speakers, including a government keynote from Beverly J. Seay, Southeast Regional Director, National Security Innovation Network, and an industry keynote from Shawnna Hoffman, Dell Technologies’ Chief Technology Leader, Legal Strategy & Operations” said iFEST 2022 Chair Angie Gamble, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the U.S. Army Training Support Analysis & Integration Directorate. “If you have an interest in DoD education and training modernization, you’ll want to be part of iFEST 2022.”

The event includes panel sessions focused on military education and training, innovative partnerships and collaborations, software and technology, and the status of ongoing modernization technology efforts. Between plenary sessions, the event will feature over 80 concurrent technical presentations, tutorials, activities, and posters on timely topics, ranging from AI-assisted learning and smart tutoring to xAPI standards integration and competency frameworks.

Also included will be exhibits by vendors and other stakeholders, and poster presentations on partnership initiatives, learning data, learning technology, policy, and technology interoperability. iFEST presenters will have a new opportunity to publish papers based on their presentations in a special issue of the Journal of Military Learning (JML). The JML special issue to be published in January 2022 will highlight presentations from iFEST 2022 and the 2022 Army Learning Symposium and will focus on the state of the art and best practices for distributed learning.

Registration for iFEST 2022 is available at the National Training & Simulation Association (NTSA). Government personnel will receive free registration. For more information about iFEST 2022 visit www.ADLiFEST.org or contact Julie Lowndes at julie.lowndes.ctr@adlnet.gov.