CG-OWL has recently hit its first birthday and has gone from an owlet to a full-grown owl. In its first year, CG-OWL enabled 62,000 users to complete 600,000 courses. Even more, CG-OWL is proving to be incredibly capable and versatile for new and improved capabilities across the Coast Guard. Here are some highlights over the past year and a few new features:
Accessing OWL without a CAC
You can now login to CG-Online World of Learning (OWL) on your personal phone or tablet – without having to use a CAC. Using the new login capability, called MobileConnect, you can access all the same courses you would if logging in from a networked workstation.
MobileConnect provides a greater level of secure access for all the training delivered through OWL. With sponsorship by the appropriate program office, FORCECOM can also now offer access to specific modules hosted on OWL for international students, Ombudsmen, and others.
Once you do the one-time, initial set up – or authentication – accessing COWL from your device or tablet is quick and easy! To authenticate, you will first need to login to a networked workstation and register for a MobileConnect account. On your personal device or tablet, you’ll need to download the MobileConnect AF app. [INSERT IMAGE] A detailed process guide can be found here: MobileConnect Setup and Registration Guide.
Beta electronic service wide exam (eSWE)
In May, OWL was used to successfully administer the beta electronic service wide exam (eSWE) to over 1000 eligible candidates in the ME and MST ratings. OWL enabled the ability to deliver the eSWE throughout the world, including onboard a Canadian Coast Guard ship and to members mid-PCS. Plans to expand eSWE capability to other rates are under development.
Competency Management Tool for Marine Inspectors
FORCECOM built an application within OWL called the Competency Management Tool (CMT) to support the Marine Inspector Performance Support Architecture (MIPSA). CMT-MIPSA is currently being rolled out to Sectors to track and manage training and competency records. Built with tablet compatibility, Inspectors, Verifying Officers, and trainees can track competencies in the field. While CMT is focused on Marine Inspector training programs, the capability and approach is potentially scalable for other specialties.
Facilitated Online Training Program
OWL introduced classroom-based, facilitated online training to allow training center A-schools and C-schools to be delivered remotely, as well as resident and non-resident courses. This consisted of hosting courses that are delivered via self-paced e-learning, facilitated online training, and traditional classroom training. This past year, OWL was vital in hosting and delivering the Sector Commander course and the National Search and Rescue School (NSARS) Hybrid Modularization Training Program, to name a few.
Course Library – CG OWL is now live
FORCECOM recently launched the Course Library - CG OWL, a centralized system for course information. This solution streamlines course updates, manages program ownership, and features automated updates, simplified course hosting requests, and direct links to essential forms. You can find quick reference documents on the new course delivery request process on the Course Library-OWL site at the bottom of the page.
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