In a strategic effort to enhance collaboration and advance online learning, Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) recently launched two new communities of interest. These working groups, one for Joint Training and Education Enterprise Program (JTEEP) partners and another for distance learning peers, are quarterly forums to leverage shared equities and improve the online learning experience for the joint community.
The first of these new groups, the JKO JTEEP Community of Interest Working Group, convened in December 2025. This group provides a vital forum for JTEEP-funded entities to synchronize their distributed learning efforts directly with JKO. In its inaugural session, JKO leadership showcased several modernization efforts, including the integration of artificial intelligence to accelerate course development and the launch of the fully operational Course Builder tool, which empowers stakeholders to rapidly create their own training content. The meeting successfully aligned partners on JKO's mission and support processes, ensuring JTEEP members can better leverage JKO's expanding capabilities.
The second group, the Distance Learning Community of Interest Working Group, held its inaugural meeting in March 2026. Formed to share issues, challenges, and modernization initiatives particular to distance learning ecosystems, this group brings together organizations from across the Department of War. The first meeting featured insightful presentations from the Defense Health Agency, U.S. Marine Corps, and Naval Education and Training Command, each sharing their unique challenges and modernization initiatives. Key themes emerged around the need for greater interoperability between learning systems, data standardization, and the adoption of AI to create more effective online learning experiences. The group provides a critical venue to partner on shared challenges, reduce redundancy, and advance the future of distance learning.
Both communities of interest were met with enthusiastic participation and are now established as regularly occurring quarterly meetings hosted by JKO. By bringing together key partners and practitioners, JKO is fostering a more collaborative environment to solve shared problems and drive innovation, ultimately delivering greater value to our warfighters and the entire joint training and education community.
For interest in joining a community of interest, contact Tim Brandon, JKO program manager, at timothy.s.brandon2.civ@mail.mil.