JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. - It doesn't look like much at first sight, but a small, sparsely-decorated room at the end of a hallway represents a large step in the challenge of ensuring Airmen and civilians at the Air National Guard Readiness Center here have the training they need to accomplish their mission.
The Computer Learning Center opened in late 2013 boasts 10 computer workstations and a wall-mounted flat screen monitor in a facility dedicated to removing the distractions that can hinder learning.
"For good training, you need to block off a lot of the noise and allow the individuals to focus on what they're trying to learn," said Chuck Arnold, an instructor at ANGRC. "That kind of environment is what this room provides."
Before the center opened, students were required to bring their own laptops to an available conference room, or other space the course instructor was able to acquire for the day.
"Instructors know they have a place to go," said Arnold. "They don't have to go someplace across the base. They don't have to try to rent facilities in town or go on temporary duty for some kind of training that can be done right here. It saves our people time and money. If you can get training out to people at a low cost and in a rapid manner, it's just the best of both worlds."
In addition to instructor-led courses, the center is available for both Airmen and civilians to accomplish individual training.
"The classroom is a great resource for folks who don't have access to the network system after hours," said Senior Master Sgt. Angela Ash, a student in a recent Joint Application Staff Management System course conducted at the CLC. "Hopefully, people will utilize it to its fullest."
People throughout the ANGRC pitched in to ensure the CLC came to fruition.
"Getting the wheels to move in any organization takes a while," said Arnold. "But people here have lined up to make this thing happen. From the high offices on down to the cleaning staff, lots of people have been a part of this. A lot of good people from every corner of the unit."
Most of the equipment in the classroom was salvaged or donated, rather than purchased, which saved thousands of dollars.
"Some people have donated things like our whiteboard," said Arnold. "Even small items such as a door stop or a dry erase marker. Everything else - power cords, [ethernet] cables, everything - was already an existing asset just sitting out there in a warehouse."
Due to the combined efforts of everyone involved in setting up the room, the ANGRC saved more than $22,000 in supplies, equipment and materials. The CLC was established and operational at a cost of less than $4,000.
For more information about the ANGRC Computer Learning Center contact 240-612-7637.
Here are a few of the training classes available:
Microsoft PowerPoint Basic
Microsoft PowerPoint Advanced
Microsoft Excel 2010 Basic
Microsoft Excel 2010 Advanced
Microsoft Access 2010
Microsoft Outlook 2010
Joint Application Staff Management System
| Date Taken: |
05.02.2014 |
| Date Posted: |
05.19.2014 15:10 |
| Story ID: |
130350 |
| Location: |
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: |
58 |
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This work, Computer Learning Center provides dedicated space for training at ANGRC, by MSgt John Hillier, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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