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Show Aug. 22, 1996 Distance learning reaps benefits strides S. DALE HIBBERT, D.D.S. NOELLE MARTIN, D.M.D. v. - MAXWELL AFB, Ala. Significant forward in the development and use of distance learning technology are reaping big benefits for Air Force members and American taxpayers, according to officials at Air University, the service's lead agency for distance learning Pediatric Dental Specialists Complimentary Exam For All Children Under 2 Years of Age Dentistry for Children & Teenagers (A 2112 Tri-Ca- Suite 1 Another technological change is the role of programs that realize benefits similar to those attained in the case just cited. According to Cherry, one good example of this is found in the Air Command and Staff College multi-medi- a nonresident course. matters. Col. Donald A. Philpitt, chief of the "ACSC course developers, using Air Force Distance Learning Office, says technology, replaced 25 volumes of the Air Force is well on the way to realiz- text required for the school's old coring the vision of a spokesman for the respondence course with a single White House Office of Science and Techdisk. This switch from paper to cuts printing and nology. The official, Ed Fitzsimmons, ex- multi-medi- a tols distance learning as a way to achieve distribution costs while providing a more 30 percent more learning in 40 percent engaging format for student learning. less time, while achieving a cost savings Annual cost avoidance for the over conventional course should reach $364 thousand when of nearly methods of instruction. the initiative is fully implemented," "Distance learning in the Air Force Cherry says. Another innovative area that can't be isn't something totally new. In fact, anyone who has taken a correspondence overlooked as a distance learning medicourse from the Extension Course Insti- um, according to Cherry, is basic tute has participated in one method of computer-base- d instruction, often distance learning. What is new is the use referred to as CBI. of "AU's College of Professional Detechnology employed in a variety of distance learning pro- velopment, in conjunction with the Exgrams to meet the education and train- tension Course Institute, has produced a real success story using CBI to teach ing needs of the Air Force. "The direct beneficiaries of these in- the school's Affirmative Employment novative approaches to learning are the Course. This instructional method uses men and women in the field, including floppy disks mailed to students for use active-duty- , Air National Guard and Air on office or home computers. Before Force Reserve members. Taxpayers, too, adoption of CBI, the course was taught benefit in the long run through reduced in residence to 45 students per year. The education and CBI format has allowed the school to costs for training for the nation's military profes- drop its resident course while student enrollments have jumped to a figure nearsionals," Philpitt explains. times greater than Noting that interactive satellite tele- ly vision is now a major medium for dis- before. tance learning, another expert in the field "In addition, students, working at Adelaide K. Cherry, Ph.D., chief of the their own speed on their own computers, Distance Learning Instructional Design can usually finish the course in about offers some enlightening facts Branch of the time previously needabout the subject. ed," Cherry notes. "At present, a dozen acquisition and Cherry went on to say that, spurred by civil engineering courses, as well as more these sorts of successes, it's a sure bet than 40 aircraft maintenance courses, that distance learning is here to stay in are being offered via the Air Force's Air the Air Force. She says students can exTechnology Network. Faculty experts pect to see more and more Air Force use ATN to broadcast live television courses taught at their duty location, or courses to students at various locations, even delivered to them at their homes uswhile allowing students to interact with ing CBI or the Internet. The bottom-line- , the instructor and with one another," according to Philpitt, Cherry and others in Air Education and Cherry notes. Training Command, is that as the numCategorizing the results of using satellite television technology as "impres- ber of academic institutions having sive," Cherry goes on to say that during familiarity with distance learning techATN's first year of operation at the Air nologies grows, students should expect Force Institute of Technology, the yearly to see a greater variety of both military enrollment for one course jumped from and voluntary education programs being 300 students in residence to more than delivered via distance learning. Experts 3,000 via distance learning. As a result, in the field claim that the cost to the Air Force benefits are simply too attractive to warthe dropped from $1,000 to less than $300 rant otherwise. with no appreciable difference in academAnyone interested in learning more about distance learning programs should ic performance between resident and discontact the Air Force Distance Learning tance learning groups. 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Family Friendly Leave Act of 1994 used. An employee is restricted from using more than 1 04 hours of sick leave in a 1 period. must be submitted to the immediate An SF-7- 1 for the leave purposes mensupervisor requesting tioned above. Approval of leave under this act lies with the immediate supervisor. for a family member as a result of physical or mental illness, injury, pregnancy, childbirth, or medical, dental or optical examination or treatment. An employee may also take sick leave to make arrangements necessitated by the death of a family member or to attend the funeral of a family member. Family members are defined as spouse, and any children, parent, brother, sister, individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship. In order to grant the employee more than 40 hours of sick leave for the illness of a family member, the employee must have a balance of 80 hours of sick leave after deducting the amount to be If an employee has an accrued leave balance, he or she may elect to use appropriate paid leave (annual or sick), subject to applicable laws and regulations. 1 statAn employee is required to submit an ing that he or she wishes to invoke this act, along with the medical documentation, to the Entitlements and Benefits Office in Civilian Personnel 30 days prior to the absence. However, if an employee is y unable to give the advance notice, they must notify their supervisor as soon as possible. of leave both are available in the acts Copies Entitlements and Benefits Office, 75 SPTGDPCF, Bldg. 1 245, Rm. 1 2. For more details, call Nancy Valenski, Ext. This act allows an employee to use sick leave not in excess of 104 hours during a leave year to care if you start buying US. Savings Bonds today. They're the way to invest in your child's future. And now they e when used n.s. savings bonds can be completely for college tuition. Yes, risk-fre- e tax-fre- : A public service iiOhb publication. Fam ily & Medical teave Act of 1993 This act entitles federal employees to a total of 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a period to care for a family member. |