CDP team exploring distant learning offerings

Like many learning institutions across the country, the Center for Domestic Preparedness has been taking a hard look at what of its advanced disaster response training material for first responders it can provide via distant learning methods.

Overseeing the CDP’s efforts is a newly created Distant Learning and Innovation Team in its Training and Education Directorate.

The team’s mission is two-fold, according to Roy Marlow, a Senior Instructional System Specialist in the CDP’s Curriculum Department.

“The team is looking at integrating current and developing new material to accommodate for the ‘new normal’ created by COVID-19,” he said. “At the same time, it’s developing a long-range distance learning strategy, which is focused on both improving on existing and introducing new distant learning methods.” 

The team is also looking at opportunities to combine distant learning training with the CDP’s resident training and CDP training delivered in non-resident settings, said Bernice Zaidel, the CDP’s Assistant Director for Training (Curriculum).

“We’re looking at how we can blend the distance learning material we develop with our hands-on instruction or performance-based training,” she said.

The team will announce the distant learning offerings, on the CDP’s web site and social media pages, as they’re developed.