Learning and Development Center open for business

  • Published
  • By Renee Hughes
  • 82nd Training Wing
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 82nd Training Wing Learning Development Center is open for business and increasing our student load all the time. 

Based on data collected and manpower considerations, the center has streamlined their courses and our target audience. 

"We no longer send every student through the training as part of their base in-processing. Too many Airmen were unmotivated to employ the strategies and techniques taught, mistakenly feeling since they did well in high school that they didn't need to change their study habits here," said Renee Hughes, an instructor at WLDC. 

She said the center is now focused on the so-called "at-risk" Airmen; students who have failed a block test, have low test scores, or have failed multiple progress checks. These students are eager to find ways to improve and are more receptive to the information we present. 

"We still welcome volunteer students with the approval of their (military training leader) or instructor," Ms. Hughes said. "Additionally, we are available for permanent party personnel who are working on career development courses, college courses, or studying for promotion. 

Currently, the WLDC offers four courses including Academic Stress Management to assist students in coping with the nerves or anxiety that prevents them from concentrating effectively and Time Management to aid students in getting organized and setting a reasonable schedule for themselves. The center also offers Study Skills to cover note-taking strategies, reading improvement, memory enhancement and study strategies and the Test Taking course to provide advice on preparation for a test, how to relax when testing and techniques to improve scores. 

"The results speak for themselves," Ms. Hughes said because student test scores show an average increase of 16.85% after attending our courses. 

"But even with that increase, we are not resting on our laurels. We continue to seek different strategies, courses and curriculum to continue to improve student scores and retention of information," she said. "After all, good grades are great, but retaining the information for use in the field is what it's truly all about. We won't be satisfied until there are no wash backs or eliminations due to poor test scores." 

The WLDC was given an Air Force Best Practice Award by the inspector general team in 2007. 

According to the award, "Sheppard AFB is the largest technical training center in AETC, it is the only Air Education and Training Command base currently employing early strategic learning skills training for non-prior service Airmen. 

"Much like the Air Force Academy, the WLDC focuses on strategic learning skills and academic success for all Airmen. No other base or agency employs this forward thinking strategy while preserving Air Force training dollars and focusing on individual Airmen success. 

"Monetary savings through reductions in wash backs and course eliminations allows this 'Best Practice' to pay for itself." 

Ms. Hughes said the WLDC is here to help Airmen make the most of their training.
If you have a student, or a subordinate that could benefit from the WLDC courses, send a request by contacting 676-1850 or 676-1853. Or send an email to 82TRW.LDC@sheppard.af.mil.