Two E-learning Platforms: Defence Connect Online (DCO) virtual room, and TURNITIN

DEFENCE CONNECT ONLINE (DCO) VIRTUAL MEETING ROOM
https://www.dco.dod.mil

History of the platform
In June 2007, The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) awarded Defense Connect Online (DCO) a two-part Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro solution for collaboration and engagement across Department of Defense (DoD) global operations. Two different systems comprise the Acrobat Connect Pro implementation, one for the unclassified network, and one for the classified network. A pre-release version of DCO was tested over a five-month period and went live in April 2008, enabling deployed troops, supporting personnel, and military leaders to collaborate effortlessly across locations worldwide.


Intended audience
- Around the globe
DCO virtual room project supportis 5.3 million users 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
around the globe, including airborne pilots and ship personnel. Since full implementation of DCO, more than 90,000 unclassified and 25,000 classified users in 40 countries have registered. The number of registered users continues to grow, with approximately 1,200 new users registering every week.
- At the local Medical Center
Administrative, medical and non-medical staff of the local medical center, who play different roles in the accomplishment of the research initiative: course instructors, course attendees, research mentors, research mentees, research administrators and coordinators.

Key features (synchronous and asynchronous)
The DCO virtual meeting room supports collaboration of large groups asynchronously as well as synchronously, and therefore encourages collaboration. The Adobe solution is integrated via a web interface that combines web conferencing and IM functions, as well as for fulfilling registration, authentication, and PKI requirements. The VoIP feature used in Acrobat Connect Pro to conduct communications among more than two parties. DCO also is used for small meetings among workgroups of 5 to 50 DoD personnel, as well as larger meetings with hundreds of simultaneous connections. Acrobat Connect Pro holds the record for the largest live web meeting ever held in the DoD. Maximum amount of registered meeting participants was 1,325.

The DCO virtual meeting room enables users to deliver real-time and on-demand training instantly in any bandwidth on many devices.

Strengths of the platform or application
United States military personnel on land, sea, and in the air can collaborate and communicate around the clock using Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro through a single, secure portal.
The DCO Portal provides a single location for registration, authentication, and all resources required for you to use DCO collaborative tools. Complied with security standards.

Areas of improvement, from your recommendations
My recommendation for improvement is based on the following registration requirement: for registration, the user must have a DoD Common Access Card (CAC) and CAC reader.
When the DCO user is outside of DOD environment (CAC or CAC reader are not available), it is not possible to create a new DCO virtual room. I would recommend coming up with the secure solution to overcome this requirement (registration and room creation with CAC only).

Usability – i.e., ease of use and navigation
The system allows instant messaging, text chat, web conferencing and shared white boarding services, including the ability for DoD users to bring non-DoD personnel into collaborative sessions using Adobe® Acrobat®Connect™ Professional and Jabber Extensible Communications Platform™ (Jabber XCP™).

Adobe Connect brings real-world functionality to web conferencing. It enables users to communicate and interact with groups large and small in real-time, using high-impact presentations and essential collaboration tools. Interact with remote partcipants in real time - one on one or in extendedteams. Connect meetings are delivered by Adobe Flash® Player, already installed on more than 97% of computers worldwide, so the audience can access them instantly, without cumbersome softwaredownloads.

Jabber XCP is more than person-to-person communications. The Jabber Extensible Communications Platform™ (Jabber XCP™) is a presence and messaging platform that enables a vast array of applications to exchange information in real-time. It covers all the basics of IM and adds many features, including multi-user text conferencing, to further boost productivity and enrich the user experience. By instantly connecting available users wherever they are, through whatever device they haveon-hand, information moves rapidly to help people make more informed decisions
Technical support available
Technical support is available 24/07.
If the user forgot your password or are having trouble logging in, the help desk is available via e-mail, commercial and toll free phones.

At least two recommendations for use to support a professional development initiative and/or integration into a K-12 environment
I would recommend considering the Adobe system as a reliable solution for professional development initiative with possible integration into a K-12 environment

Any additional useful information about the platform for your classmates
Adobe Solutions for K-12 Education http://www.adobe.com/education/solutions/k12/
Adobe Resources for K-12 Education http://www.adobe.com/education/resources/k12/