Mr. Cesare Cardi, USMC CCE DPME Project, has been named CoTs Employee of the Quarter for the 1st Quarter 2010. From 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2009 Mr. Cardi has been a critical piece to the success of the Expeditionary Warfare School Distance Education Program’s (EWSDEP) “pilot” asynchronous online seminar. When the opportunity arose for an on-line instructor, Mr. Cardi actively pursued this added responsibility seeing it as an opportunity to better serve the distance education students. As an on-site EWS seminar instructor, Mr. Cardi brought valuable knowledge of the curriculum and instructional insight that could greatly benefit the on-line program.

Becoming an on-line instructor and learning the structure of the on-line curriculum entailed a substantial additional work load. Learning to operate the new software required for on-line instruction while developing a new instructional methodology was demanding. In addition, without ever meeting his students or knowing the details of their personalities and with limited knowledge of their specific operational experience, Mr. Cardi developed new instructional techniques that drove complex asynchronous discussions toward a united end.

Seeing his students through to a successful conclusion was only the first part of Mr. Cardi’s work. After executing the on-line “pilot” program, he performed a detailed analysis providing invaluable insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the program. He worked closely with the Associate Dean for EWSDEP and used the knowledge he gained to greatly enhance the direction and outcome of the program. According to the Associate Dean, “Cesare’s input has covered every facet of program development. Of particular note, he has provided substantive suggestions on Discussion Board assignments and assessments. His insightful recommendations have already resulted in significant course improvements.”

The Associate Dean also stated, “Cesare's instructional methodology has set the standard for online faculty. In fact, his Discussion Board posts will be incorporated in future faculty training as an example of how to teach online.”

EWSDEP will begin to offer asynchronous online seminars next academic year as a standard program. The educational benefit students derive from the course will be immeasurably enhanced as a direct result of Cesare Cardi’s personal efforts. He has helped set in place the cornerstone upon which the new on-line EWSDEP will be built.

Thank you, Cesare, for going above and beyond the requirements of your position to exceed customer expectations! Jan Pilant, Arms Control Project, was also nominated for Employee of the Quarter. Congratulations to both!