Learning Together

This monograph explores the online community and its new relationship to the Army educational system. Over the past six to seven years, online communities such as CompanyCommand.army.mil have established themselves as means of communication for the profession. These communities are now integrated into the structures of educational institutions such as West Point and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. While they have thrived thus far, their integration may mean a greater reliance on their capabilities. This monograph briefly examines the ability of the online community to educate professionals. The methodology used is a review of adult learning models, comparison with self-directed learning models, and examination of recent research in communities of practice. The comparison is brief and highlights a potential for more detailed research as the online community matures. The conclusions identify the usefulness of the Professional Forum to enhance the learning of soldiers in the conduct of their duties. The Army should resource the Professional Forum to enhance the learning opportunities and maximize the impact. Additionally, the Army should connect the Professional Forum to the foundational schools, enabling a much better discourse between the school and the field.