GOODFELLOW AFB, Texas -- GOODFELLOW AFB, Texas--The 315th Training Squadron has implemented the use of three-dimensional models in the intelligence courses offered here.
“Our primary focus is we’re modernizing the course and looking for diverse and creative approaches to learning,” said Capt. Jacob Griego, Geospatial Intelligence Course flight commander. “Specifically, when we’re looking at precision identification of order of battle and preparing our future Airman for the next horizon warfare, I think that’s really the precedent that we’re trying to set. We’re providing them an opportunity to have geospatial reasoning of what they’re actually looking for.”
When students graduate from the intelligence course and perform their duties at their first operational location, they need to be able to identify and possess in-depth knowledge of specific vehicles and equipment, pointing them out from any angle or view. These three-dimensional models facilitate the learning process and empower them to be more effective in an operational setting.
“The biggest change is that when you have the line drawings you have to figure out for yourself what the equipment would look like if you saw it from a different point of view,” said Airman Mauranda Racer, 315th TRS geospatial intelligence student. “But with the three-dimensional drawing, you can actually turn it yourself and see how it would change its appearance depending on what side you see and look for those distinct features that the line drawing won’t always show you.”
The instructors of the course have been able to step away from power-point slides and really show the students what different types of equipment look like and let them physically grasp the concepts they are learning.
“The big takeaway here is always that lightbulb moment,” said Tech. Sgt. Jessica Ford, 315th TRS Geospatial Intelligence Course noncommission officer in charge. “For me, the same thing that I see with my students is just like my little girl. She loves animals, we read animal books all the time. She was 2 years old when she could tell me giraffes were tall they had long necks. It wasn’t until I was standing behind her at the zoo where she saw one for the first time, looked up and saw how massive it was.”
The 315th TRS continues to accelerate change within their courses through the use of new training aids, challenging the norm of repetitive two-dimensional training materials used in the past, and empowering their students to thrive in an active learning environment like never before.