Data has become increasingly important to the Army mission. According to the Army Data Plan, the timely delivery of data across multiple platforms through diverse types of technology will enhance the mission of Army leaders as they navigate a progressively dynamic cyber landscape featuring machine learning and artificial intelligence.
To help guide Army leadership along this path, the Center for Data Analysis and Statistics (CDAS), under the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy, recently organized a five-day course titled “Data Literacy 101, Train the Educator.”
Lt. Col. James Starling, CDAS director and USMA associate professor for mathematical sciences, stated that the course was attended by over 100 students from operational units, institutional elements and academia throughout the Army, including one attendee representing the United Kingdom. Students came from 16 locations, ranging from as close as Pennsylvania to as far as Hawaii.
Capt. Derrick Kozlowski, chief data officer of the U.S. Army Signal School Cyber School of Excellence, learned about the training through working with Col. Nicholas Clark, USMA associate professor of mathematical sciences, over the last few years. Kozlowski had invited Clark to teach the course at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in 2021, and after taking the course at USMA, Kozlowski is pleased at how it has developed. He said that rather than having a large class group, the course was divided into smaller groups to facilitate deeper questions and explanations, while also creating a personal atmosphere.
Jason Ballard, curriculum designer for testing and assessments at the Command and General Staff School (CGSS), U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, was invited to attend the course and was particularly impressed with the interactive nature of the training.
“The instructors facilitated engaging discussions, hands-on activities and practical exercises, creating a dynamic and enjoyable learning experience,” Ballard said.
Christopher Baker, senior analyst at the Cyber Military Intelligence Group, learned about the course from his command and thought it would help his team to develop their own program to eliminate gaps in understanding about data knowledge. Baker also appreciated the class balance and small student-teacher ratio.
“The lectures were designed to demonstrate teaching methods and discuss ideas on how we could implement the material within our individual organizations,” Baker explained.
Furthermore, Baker said that the 14-1 student-teacher ratio, “allowed for individual attention and support when needed. In these smaller groups, we could ensure that everyone’s voice was heard.”
Baker added that he was able to impart micro lessons based on his professional knowledge and experience as a result of Starling’s skillful facilitation and encouragement to share insights and experiences.
Additionally, the participants will be able to bring back what they learned from the training to apply to their fields in their home units. For Kozlowski, that means implementing a Signal School Data Foundations Course pilot program before the end of this summer.
“The Signal School is bringing 13 signal leaders from across the Army to bring lessons learned and unit operational knowledge of their current environments,” Kozlowski said. “The Data Foundations Course is a two-week (80-hour) functional course designed for data practitioners like 255A warrant officers and Functional Area 26B officers to enhance their skill in preparation for their emerging roles and responsibilities related to data. The course covers basic statistical methods and analyzing complex data sets while adhering to governance throughout the entire data life cycle.”
Ballard said that the knowledge and skills he has gained in the training will directly apply to his work as an instructional designer.
“I can seamlessly integrate data literacy principles into designing and developing instructional materials and training programs,” Ballard said. “This will empower learners to acquire the necessary skills to analyze, interpret and effectively utilize data within their respective fields.”
Upon his return to Fort Gordon, Georgia, Baker immediately discussed his organization’s data literacy goals with his commander, noting that his command supports his intent to have over 80% of their personnel data literate before the end of the calendar year.
“To achieve this, we’re focusing on two groups: those who need to understand how to use data to drive decision-making and those who will use data to inform decisions,” Baker said. “We’re offering additional hands-on Excel training to the latter group to strengthen their data gathering, cleaning, maintaining, analyzing and communication skills.”
Besides learning what they can offer their organizations, the participants developed skills that will enhance their own teaching.
“There are many ways to teach this course,” Kozlowski explained. “Make it your own so it becomes authentic, use domain expertise and relevance to relate to your class.”
“I acquired practical strategies and techniques for effectively teaching data literacy to others,” Ballard added. “These techniques will be invaluable in my role as an educator.”
The training was an invaluable experience for Baker, who realized how much data literacy needed to improve within the Army.
“Thankfully, a large community of interest is rallying around this effort,” he said.
The participants expressed their gratitude to the faculty, including Clark, Starling and Dr. Diana Thomas, who facilitated and attended the event, and for the experience of coming to the historic and inspiring U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
To learn more about Army Data Literacy 101 training visit Data - U.S. Army Talent Management
To learn more about the Department of Mathematical Sciences visit Mathematical Sciences | United States Military Academy West Point
To learn more about the Center for Data Analysis and Statistics visit Centers and Institutes | United States Military Academy West Point
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