NOVEMBER 5, 2021 – The Department of the Air Force’s learning system, myLearning, is entering the final phase of its rollout and aiming to be fully operational by the end of the year.
Air Education and Training Command’s Learning Services team worked across the Air Force to replace and improve upon legacy platforms previously used by Airmen and Guardians. The myLearning system debuted earlier this year as the modern solution to meet Airmen where they are with 21st Century learning capabilities.
“Today’s strategic environment requires multi-capable Airmen and Guardians who have on-demand access to the latest training,” said Maj. Gen. Andrea Tullos, AETC deputy commander. “myLearning helps infuse agility into our training ecosystem by giving trainers at every level access to quality curriculum, and by streamlining how we push current training material to the Total Force. Airmen are our strategic advantage — well-led, well-trained Airmen turn equipment and weapons systems into capabilities, and myLearning will be a critical resource for our training community.”
The final operating capability of myLearning achieves many of the benchmarks the program set in March. The program touts improved accessibility over the legacy Advanced Distributed Learning Service interface, enhances interoperability with users’ records that travel with the individual regardless of assigned unit, and streamlines several learning applications like ADLS and Enterprise Blended Learning Service into one seamless platform.
“Achieving our force development goals with the myLearning platform is a huge win for Airmen and Guardians across the force,” said Floyd A. McKinney, AETC chief of learning services. “We wanted to create a platform for our users that modernized the more traditional, stove-piped learning IT systems into an integrated service that serves our members. By the end of year, myLearning will meet the member where they are, whether it’s on a DoD network computer or a personal tablet in the comfort of their own home.”
The platform experienced a number of challenges during its phase I and II implementation, the largest of which prevented users from being able to access completion certificates for required annual courses, like Cyber Awareness. Feedback from users across the field has enabled the myLearning team to continuously improve the system and close thousands of help desk tickets.
“Any new system of this magnitude is going to have its initial issues,” said Bill Muse, AETC Learning Services program manager. “We are aware of these issues and our team is working to mitigate, respond, and provide permanent solutions to our customers. As we continue to implement our major features, we are also focused on resolving and refining. We encourage personnel to continue communicating their feedback for the platform through their unit training managers and help desk submissions when issues arise.”
myLearning debuted as a modern and interactive solution in March and replaced training modules previously found on older systems. Since then, myLearning has successfully migrated to CloudOne, allowing for increased functionality in cloud computing when accessing courses. The new system also boasts enhanced data analytics which allows training experts to see which courses have a high pass/fail rate or which courses need improvement.
Course developers will continue to update and migrate their content on myLearning using latest technologies on a secure platform suitable for CUI/FOUO content. So far, more than 670,000 users have accessed myLearning to complete over 1.8 million courses.
By Master Sgt. Caitlin Jones-Martin
Air Education and Training Command