81st TRSS gets scaled up

The 81st Training Support Squadron is rolling out a new program called SCALE-UP to help improve learning environments for students.

The program was introduced by the 81st TRSS as a way to bring new technology and teaching techniques into Keesler classrooms to put more focus on students and their success in Air Force education.

“The classrooms we applied the SCALE-UP program to are more modern and have brought so much more learning capabilities to our students,” said Bo Smith, 81st TRSS training manager. “The classrooms are now broken up into pods with large tables for groups to sit at. Each table has electronic setups for the students to use to allow them to interact and work on projects as groups. They also now have capabilities to electronically show their work to the whole class.”

The new program has also brought a new way to teach basic skills like time management and critical thinking to the students while learning their career field.

“The students in the SCALE-UP classrooms are working in groups to accomplish assignments and projects,” said Dr. Lisa Rich, 81st TRSS curriculum development manager. “By working together, the students are learning critical thinking skills, how to work as a team and are now learning how to take responsibility for their coursework.”

SCALE-UP is bringing creativity to Air Force classrooms while also building stronger over-all Airmen. From the colorful paint on the walls to building a larger mindset of responsibility in the Air Force’s future leaders, the 81st TRSS is taking technical training to the next level.

“We did research over several universities who have already started using this program,” said Rich. “After seeing the affects SCALE-UP has had we decided it would be great for us to test out. These Airmen who will use SCALE-UP classrooms here at Keesler are going to learn in a 21st century classroom with modern technology and will graduate as subject matter experts in their career field and as better Airmen.”