2024 Developers’ Summit - Reimagining Learning: Developing Solutions with Creative Approaches

  • Published
  • By Valerie Saenz, AETC/A3BP
  • AETC Learning Professionals and Force Development Credentials Branch
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO -RANDOLPH, Texas --  For the second consecutive year, instructional developers from across the Department of the Air Force attended the Developers’ Summit, hosted by Air Education and Training Command’s Learning Professionals and Force Development Credentials Division members, June 25-26 at Community Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. 

The event provided instructional developers a learning-focused summit where they come together to increase their knowledge and skills, while also building their professional network. “After receiving attendee feedback from last year, we knew we had to make this an annual event,” said Dana Horn, AETC Learning Professionals’ Program Branch Chief. “Developers play a pivotal role in supplying training and education programs that develop essential skills as well as prepare personnel to think critically and are essential in driving the evolution of learning operations and change management. They must not only stay ahead of industry trends and advancements but also anticipate future challenges and opportunities. Their ability to leverage resources effectively ensures our learning initiatives are innovative, impactful, and capable of meeting the demands of today and tomorrow.”

About 100 military and civilian developers had the opportunity to learn from a varied group of presenters. Day 1 began with a hands-on session focused on presentation productivity with visual storytelling and interactive content followed by a workshop on the optimal day: leveraging biorhythms and lifestyle habits to elevate training design and instruction. 

Day 2 featured Dr. Karal Garcia, Chief Learning Officer for the Special Warfare Training Group, with her session, “Smart Design: Aligning Multimedia with Learning Goals,” and 1st Lt. Nicholas Brooks from Air Force Material Command, discussing, “NIPRGPT-Generative Artificial Intelligence to Enhance and Speed Up Workflow.” Attendees applied what they learned and created a training product, while attending the event.

“Instructional design and development play a crucial role in shaping educational experiences,” Col. Jason Turner, Deputy Director for Force Development said, “Those who craft curricula are the architects of effective teaching and learning frameworks. The work of instructional developers ensures learners receive well-structured, meaningful education and training, laying the foundation for their success.” 

“This year's Developers’ Summit was an incredible opportunity to network with other instructional system developers on topics unique to developers,” said Bradley Clark, training specialist lead and learning management system administrator for the Air Force Services Center. “I picked up a few new strategies and got to share with others some of our unique methods of designing the complete experience.”

”The goal of the Developers’ Summit is to enhance the capabilities of developers throughout the Department of the Air Force, so the outcome should be newly gained skills that developers can now share with their units to create better training for Airmen and Guardians,” Horn said.