Learning Technology Resource Center

• Computer (desktop or laptop) or mobile device (tablet or smart phone) that is less than five years old will typically provide sufficient computing power to operate all required applications. If you are unsure whether your device meets the requirements, contact the Learning Technology Division in the Contact section of this page.
• Web camera and microphone. The web camera and microphone that is built into most laptops, tablets, and smartphones, is typically sufficient. If your course requires the demonstration of a physical activity, it may be beneficial to obtain an external USB web camera, so that it may be more easily maneuvered into a position for the demonstration.
• Speakers or headphones. Although, headphones are recommended, as they help to minimize audio feedback.

---

A reliable internet connection with a download speed of 2Mbps or greater. Most 3G cellular networks are between 2 and 7Mbps; 4G cellular networks are between 5 and 12 Mbps; and high-speed/Broadband internet connections, like DSL, cable, satellite, or fiber, are near or greater than 25Mbps.

While a CAC and access to the Government Enterprise network, either from the local campus or through VPN, is not required to access the learning tools that facilitate the online learning experience, your course may use websites or application systems that do require users to be connected to this network. If this applies to your course, ensure that the students are informed of this requirement.

The Class Technology Assessment Worksheet (Microsoft Excel document) is a tool that class staff and faculty can use in preparation for a class. It is used to identify the technology capabilities of the class facilitators and participants. The data obtained will allow class facilitators to (1) determine the common distributed learning tools that are available to all facilitators and participants, and (2) identify specific technology gaps that need to be addressed, in order to ensure that the entire class population can access the common learning tools.

The Commercial Virtual Remote (CVR) environment is the preferred application for facilitating virtual classrooms. CVR is the DoD implementation of Microsoft Teams for Business that was made available across the DoD in late March 2020. This application provides faculty and staff with a technology solution that is capable of delivering live, instructor-led lectures to remote students, whether the students are dispersed across campus or around the world.

If you have not already set up your CVR account or need assistance with setting it up, instructions are available at https://go.usa.gov/xv3tc.

If you need assistance with using CVR as your virtual classroom, there are several How To documents in the LTRC Resource Library on this page. Additionally, you can always reach out to us for immediate assistance through the MEDCoE Virtual Classroom Help CVR Team. A link to this CVR Team is in the Contact section of this page, or you can search for "MEDCoE Virtual Classroom" in CVR.

If you need assistance with general use of CVR, check out all of the training that is available in the CVR Hub (found in the top left corner of the CVR application window) and be sure to join the Community Help CVR Team.

---

The MEDCoE utilizes the Blackboard Learning Management System to train its Soldiers in a blended and continuous learning environment. Blackboard provides faculty and staff with a platform for making course content available to students, through reference materials, calendar, assignments, assessments, and grade book. Blackboard also provides communication tools like announcments and lesson level discussion.

All first-time Blackboard (Bb) users will need to establish a Bb account through the MEDCoE Bb URL: https://amedd.ellc.learn.army.mil.

All instructors are required to complete the Blackboard 101 course to receive the basic level of permission necessary for instructors. This 10-hour, online tutorial provides training on how to use Blackboard as an instructor. Once you have created your Bb account, sign up for this course, by sending an email request to the MEDCoE Help Desk at usarmy.jbsa.medical-coe.mbx.online-help-desk@mail.mil.

In this document, explore the various benefits of synchronous and asynchronous activities.

The Contact section of this page highlights several ways that you can find help with your course transition. The quickest way is through the MEDCoE Virtual Classroom Help, which is a rapid response CVR Team dedicated to answering your questions and issues regarding the implementation and facilitation of virtual classrooms. Check out this and more in the Contact section of this page.

Your online course should not be considered an abbreviated or simplified version of your resident course. With proper preparation, you will be able to design an online course that successfully meets the same objectives and goals as the resident course.

Depending on your course objectives and goals, you may need to ensure that faculty and students are able to remotely access tools and systems that may be used in your course. Ensure that all resources that are used and available in the resident course are also available and accessible in the online course.

You can`t do this alone. Surround yourself with a team of individuals equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively deliver the training online. Make sure that everyone knows and has rehearsed the delivery plan.

Just having an understanding of what needs to be done is not enough. You will find that through rehearsal and trial-and-error you will begin to fine-tune your online course. The result will be a more polished and effective deliver.

It requires a more deliberate mindset and set of actions to communicate with your students in an online course. You don`t physically see them as they sit in class or go between lectures, which means that it is going to be more difficult for you to pick up on social cues. You will need to provide each student with some level of regular, individual attention.

• Computer (desktop or laptop) or mobile device (tablet or smart phone) that is less than five years old will typically provide sufficient computing power to operate all required applications. If you are unsure whether your device meets the requirements, contact your course staff or faculty.
• Web camera and microphone. The web camera and microphone that is built into most laptops, tablets, and smartphones, is typically sufficient.
• Speakers or headphones. Although, headphones are recommended, as they help to minimize audio feedback.

---

A reliable internet connection with a download speed of 2Mbps or greater. Most 3G cellular networks are between 2 and 7Mbps; 4G cellular networks are between 5 and 12 Mbps; and high-speed/Broadband internet connections, like DSL, cable, satellite, or fiber, are near or greater than 25Mbps.

While a CAC and access to the Government Enterprise network, either from the local campus or through VPN, is not required to access the learning tools that facilitate the online learning experience, your course may use websites or application systems that do require users to be connected to this network. To find out if this is a requirement for your course, contact your course staff or faculty.

---

Your course staff or faculty may contact you to determine your current technology capabilities. Questions such as the following, will help the course staff and faculty to determine any technology gaps that may exist among the class participants.

• Do you have a CAC and CAC reader?
• Do you have access to a government provided computer?
• Do you have access to a government provided mobile device?
• Do you have access to the Government Enterprise network (local campus or VPN)?
• Do you have access to commercial internet?

The Commercial Virtual Remote (CVR) environment is the preferred application for facilitating virtual classrooms. CVR is the DoD implementation of Microsoft Teams for Business that was made available across the DoD in late March 2020. This application provides faculty and staff with a technology solution that is capable of delivering live, instructor-led lectures to remote students, whether the students are dispersed across campus or around the world.

If you have not already set up your CVR account or need assistance with setting it up, instructions are available at https://go.usa.gov/xv3tc.

If you need assistance with using CVR as your virtual classroom, there are several How To documents in the LTRC Resource Library on this page. Additionally, you can always reach out to us for immediate assistance through the MEDCoE Virtual Classroom Help CVR Team. A link to this CVR Team is in the Contact section of this page, or you can search for "MEDCoE Virtual Classroom" in CVR.

If you need assistance with general use of CVR, check out all of the training that is available in the CVR Hub (found in the top left corner of the CVR application window) and be sure to join the Community Help CVR Team.

---

The MEDCoE utilizes the Blackboard Learning Management System to train its Soldiers in a blended and continuous learning environment. Blackboard provides faculty and staff with a platform for making course content available to students, through reference materials, calendar, assignments, assessments, and grade book. Blackboard also provides communication tools like announcments and lesson level discussion.

All first-time Blackboard (Bb) users will need to establish a Bb account through the MEDCoE Bb URL: https://amedd.ellc.learn.army.mil.