Investigating Digital Educators’ Networks: Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration Among Educators in the Military

Beschreibung

Collaborative learning and knowledge sharing among military trainers and instructors are vital for both professional growth and organizational effectiveness. However, the geographic dispersion of military educators and their placement in diverse teams often limit opportunities to exchange pedagogical expertise, resulting in knowledge remaining siloed within units.
This study examines how “digital trainers’ networks,” supported by computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools, can strengthen collaboration and learning across national and institutional boundaries.
A mixed-methods approach was employed involving 119 survey responses from military educators in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, along with interviews with 16 training personnel in Germany and the UK. Although CMC tools such as Microsoft Teams are widely accessible, face-to- face interaction remains the primary mode of pedagogical exchange. Among CMC tools, the most commonly used are email, phone, and video calls, which are real-time and closed-access formats. Key barriers include time constraints, limited organizational support, and lack of dedicated resources. Peer encouragement and leadership backing emerged as important enablers. While over 70 percent of participants had received training in pedagogy and instructional skills, fewer than 40 percent had comparable training in digital or e-learning tools, highlighting a digital competence gap. Participants expressed the need for systems that enable easy identification of expertise and promote blended approaches combining online and in-person interaction. The study recommends a phased, small-scale rollout of digital networks supported by leadership, time allocation, and user- friendly platforms.

Zeitraum	22 Sept. 2025 → 26 Sept. 2025
Ereignistitel	International Military Psychology Conference 2025: Military Psychology Today - New Horizons in the psychological study of the Armed Forces
Veranstaltungstyp	Konferenz
Konferenznummer	1
Ort	Antwerp, BelgienAuf Karte anzeigen
Bekanntheitsgrad	International