Army AL&T Magazine Features the ELITE New Leader Training System

An article showcased the laptop version of the Emergent Leader Immersive Training Enviroment. This new training system uses low-cost, game-based “interpersonal communications simulation” in which students conduct interactive counseling sessions with virtual characters in scenarios specifically designed to represent sessions that are challenging for young, inexperienced leader. These include issues of on-the-job personnel conflicts, financial and family stresses, substance abuse, and other personal difficulties and performance concerns.
The ELITE platform represents a new generation of training simulation—one that employs sound instructional design principles along with game technologies to help junior leaders develop “soft” leadership skills like interpersonal communication and counseling. The system employs” virtual human” role-players instead of live actors in engaging practice exercises. It uses artificial intelligence technologies to assess student performance and provides embedded coaching and tutoring as students work through instruction and practice exercises. Much of the research and development (R&D) that produced the ELITE experiences takes place at the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies (USC ICT), a DOD-approved, Army-sponsored, university-affiliated research center, the story noted.
The Army Games for Training Program has begun to distribute the ELITE Lite software Armywide via the Army MilGaming website.