In the headlines: LINE Army app for iPad features on Radio 1 Newsbeat
An iPad app, designed by LINE Communications to train soldiers for Afghan operations, has been creating headlines this week.
LINE, one of Europe’s leading providers of learning and communications, with a strong presence in the defence sector have created an app to enable UK troops to learn how to deal with Fire Control Orders (FCO) on operations. The app was featured in exclusive BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat reports and on the Newsbeat website.
Trials at the Royal School of Artillery (RSA), Larkhill in Wiltshire have already increased learning efficiency within the Army. The BBC report states: “Troops have learned the jargon and procedures more quickly than before, when they were sat listening to lessons from instructors”.
Lance Bombardier Jason Markham from 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery has been using the LINE developed app in training for a second tour of Afghanistan. He told Newsbeat: “It makes it more fun instead of being stuck in a classroom looking at a presentation”.
The investment comes at a time when budget cuts are being made across the defence sector. But in the BBC report, Major Rich Gill, D Training, who has been working with LINE to help roll out the app, points out its time-saving capabilities, as well as the money it saves in not having to print large manuals and guides as they reside as PDF’s on the iPad.
“You can get all the material that you need on there at the right time and it's really mobile as well”. He told Newsbeat reporters: “If we can use this to reduce the amount of training it'll be fantastic”.
LINE’s Defence Lead, Keith Downes says: This project is transformational in training terms. Use of the iPad motivates generation ‘Y’ soldiers to undertake the training, compete with each other - learning quicker and more effectively as a cohort group. The iPad screen size has been key in enabling LINE, in collaboration with the RSA, to design and develop this unique multiplayer programme for FCO. This programme is an example of weaving technology into the learning fabric, delivering engaging training that will prove to be cheaper, better and quicker – very much in line with the MoD’s Training Transformation strategy”.
To see the full report go to the Newsbeat pages on Radio 1 or click here [http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10813964]