Axon

The Leading Inclusively Virtual Experience, or LIVE, is a mixed virtual reality experience that enables leaders in the Department of the Air Force to practice crucial conversations regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Program coordinator Lt Col Lisa Stokey and immersive learning technology expert Andy Clayton, Ed.D., share insights from facilitating the program.

Guest host Andrew Moulton, former Superintendent for Educational Technology at the Barnes Center for Enlisted Education at Air University, speaks with MSgt Ja’Keith Robinson, First Sergeant at the 552nd Operations Support Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahama. MSgt Robinson shares his insights on how the U.S. invests in the enlisted corps through basic professional military education.

Capt Brad Kelly, Ed.D. is the Chief of Training at the 128th Air Control Squadron out of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He makes the case against “unimodal instruction” in training for aircraft controllers and discusses implication for authentic assessment.

Professor of Communicative Arts at the U.S. Army War College Dr. Abram Trosky makes the case for teaching the Great Books in military education. He connects reading with skills development in critical, creative, and strategic thinking.

Former Marine Corps University Red Team Director Brian McDermott explains the competencies students can develop by participating in red-teaming. He shares what the research tells us about the relationship of red-teaming with student learning outcomes and offers ideas for faculty on how to use these techniques.

Air University Teaching & Learning Center Lead Writing Specialist Meg Varney and Communication Specialist Trish Harris share their thoughts on generative AI, academic integrity, and the opportunities available via this technology. Their perspective comes from serving approximately 1,000 students each year in Air University’s Writing Lab.

How can we do better to prepare and empower our leaders to navigate difficult conversations while in command? Major Peduzzi is a career intelligence officer and member of the Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP). Currently, she serves in the Strategic Communications Division under the Secretary of the Air Force for Public Affairs. In this discussion, she shares her research findings from her master’s degree program in Strategic Communications from George Mason University.

CDR Andrea Cameron, Ed.D., Ph.D. of the Naval War College and Fulbright Program shares her insights from teaching a PME course on climate and security studies. CDR Cameron gives us her take on curriculum, what we can learn from our allies, and the frites in Brussels!

Why does the United States military education system offer class seats to international students? Prof Stase Wells, Assistant Professor of Communication at Marine Corps University, shares insights from teaching nearly 100 international military officer students and their families each year.

From thinking in the shower to post-flight hot wash culture, we discuss reflections on teaching in military education with JW Womack, Ed.D., Assistant Professor of Leadership at Air War College and Instructor at Leader Development Course at Air University.

Master Sergeant Bonnie Rushing is course director and academic faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Military and Strategic Studies Department. As the first enlisted Ph.D. student fully funded by the Air Force, she discusses the strengths enlisted faculty contribute to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Maj Dan Kiser, Deputy Director, Learning Sciences and Faculty Education at the U.S. Air Force Squadron Officer School, discusses his personal experiences as a neurodivergent learner and educator. He makes recommendations on how we can build educational systems that better align with the strengths of a neurodiverse Air Force.

Col “Stryker” Haley and Dr. Steve Ellis of AFWERX Agility Prime describe their instructional design approach to training a new generation of pilots on electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL). With 12 million data points from their initial research, they are well situated to influence the eVTOL community and its stakeholders.

Dr. Richard A. McConnell, DM (LTC U.S. Army, ret.), is associate professor in the Department of Army Tactics, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. MAJ Angela Samosorn, Ph.D. is Chief of Clinical Research Support and Chief of Nursing Research at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. Together, they discuss their research into the relationship between military learners’ creativity and their ability to solve complex, open-ended problems.