DANTES
By: Mareba Mack, Education and Services Specialist, DANTES
Online Academic Skills Course (OASC)
AsMs. Mareba S. Mack serves as the DANTES Program Manager for the College & Career Planning suite of programs. She is an Air Force veteran with a passion for assisting military learners.
many of you know, helping service members prepare for the future can come in stages, but they should always have a plan. That’s why your services are so important. Whether they are just starting to think about college, taking a break, or finishing a degree or certification, preparation is key to their success!
The Academic Skills Training (AST) program helps to do just that. By assessing a service member’s academic strengths and weaknesses, it can help them improve their skills in basic math, English, and science for college-level course placement, qualification for reclassification or advanced training, and for military advancement depending on the military Service.
Within AST, service members primarily use the program’s self-paced Online Academic Skills Course (OASC), provided by Peterson’s. OASC can be used as a standalone course or a supplement to other educational resources and programs. Individual learning paths can help members improve their knowledge and skills needed to excel in each area, with lessons supported by interactive drills and practice sets, followed by quizzes to help them gauge their progress.
Online Academic Skills Course (OASC)
OASC is designed to enhance the academic skills of military personnel, focusing on reading, writing, computation, and communication to support their career progression within the military and beyond. The course provides a structured environment where service members can monitor, evaluate, and document their progress regarding measurable academic outcomes. It particularly assists in academic development by filling knowledge gaps and boosting confidence, which is crucial for those preparing for college or advanced military training.
By completing the OASC, service members can significantly improve their scores on placement tests, potentially bypassing expensive remedial courses. This is particularly beneficial for those seeking reclassification or advanced training within the military, as the course completion may qualify them to take the Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT). The flexibility of the OASC allows it to be adapted for various educational needs across different military settings. For instance, the Navy incorporates the OASC into their Future Sailor Preparatory Course aiming to elevate the testing scores of recruits to meet or exceed naval standards.
The Marine Corps has also integrated the OASC into it’s tuition assistance (TA) program. Due to the high demand for TA, the Marines require a certificate of completion from the OASC as a prerequisite. This ensures that only the most prepared Marines are granted funding for college, aligning resource allocation with preparedness and merit. Through these various implementations, OASC plays a pivotal role in supporting the educational and career advancement of service members across different branches of the U.S. military.
Online Academic Skills Course (OASC)
Eligibility
All actively serving members in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard, Reserve components, and DoD civilians, can use the AST program to help improve their math, English, science, writing, and other communication skills.
Program Resources to Benefit Service Members
Academic Help Desk
Additional help and tools are available to members as a part of the AST program. First, there’s an Academic Help Desk, where members can ask any question about math, English, or science. After logging into OASC, they simply enter a question on one of these topics and they will receive a response from an expert. If you just have a quick question like “I don’t understand why this was the answer to this specific question.”, the help desk can get you the answer to help you better understand.
Watch a short video on DANTES YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po2O9-G-Am8
Live Tutoring
Live Tutoring is going to cover more topics than the Help Desk. The Live Tutoring option can get the student connected with the right tutor to solve any topic that a student wants to cover. Questions are answered in real time with an untimed, unlimited tutoring session. The tool can be via video or audio; but the tutor will actually work together with the student to take them through problems by using a whiteboard to diagram the problems if needed and spend the time necessary to make sure that the member gets the answers they need.
Watch a short video on DANTES YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d_0AIsGODoDesk and Online Tutoring 24/7.
Online Academic Skills Course (OASC)
Writing Lab
The Writing Lab works best when students have a written piece of content, whether it be an essay and/or assignment, and they want to get it reviewed before turning it in. They can upload the paper into the system. Peterson’s experts will review it for content and grammar, and review it to see if it matches up to any kind of format or style guide required. This is great for any assignment in written format, even a college application essay. Typically, it’s going to be reviewed in a few hours depending on the time of submission. For students preparing for a test that has an essay component, they can submit an sample essay to evaluate for potential revisions and learn areas for enhancement.
Watch a short video on DANTEs You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJZR9zrr1Ts
OASC Mobile App
AST is easy to use and even has a mobile app. Members can download the “OASC Academic Skills Training” mobile app onto their mobile devices from the Google Play store or the Apple store. There is an online version and an offline version; both available for studying whenever and wherever a member is located. There’s really no excuse for military students not to use the tools offered, especially since they are nocost to eligible military members.
Help them get started today by registering for an account: https://dantes.petersons.com
You can find more information and resources at www.DANTES.mil/OASC/
Online Academic Skills Course (OASC)
Online Academic Skills Course (OASC)
ACADEMIC SKILLS TRAINING
Online Academic Skills Course (OASC)
Build Skills in Math, English, and Science
The Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education (VolEd) Program, through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), offers on-line, self-paced, academic skills training to help military members gain the knowledge they need to complete education credentials and college degree programs; advance in their military careers; and successfully transition into the civilian workforce.
The Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) course provides easy-to-use instruction to help service members build foundational academic skills in math, English, and science. It can be used as a stand-alone course or as a supplement to other educational resources. Service education counselors can also register for an educator account to track a student’s progress and provide further guidance. Get ready to ace your exams and advance your career!
SELF-PACED, FLEXIBLE LEARNING
• 24/7 access to lessons, videos, and knowledge checks
• Individually-customized course design skips content already known
• Mobile app with off-line course material allows you to study anywhere
IMPROVES KNOWLEDGE & TEST SCORES
• Increase college readiness
• Predictive technology forecasts test scores
• Avoid remediation and earn placement into college level courses
• Earn certificates of completion to qualify for officer training or other career fields
• 20% improvement on Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT)
ACCESS REAL-TIME SUPPORT
• No cost video tutoring
• Academic Help Desk via email
• Downloadable e-books with tips
ONLINE RESOURCES
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZTZKt0EJJk
• https://dantes.petersons.com/
• https://www.dantes.mil/Counselor-Tools/ DANTES-Program-Resources/
• https://www.dantes.mil/help/ dodhra-academicskills-dantes@mail.mil
Online Academic Skills Course (OASC)
OASC Academic Skills Tr aining A pp
1) Download the a pp fr om the A pp Stor e or Goog le Play
You'll need an internet connection to download the app. From here, you can either continue to use the app with WiFi.
OR Download the Offline Study Pack to study content when you're downrange. Getting Started Instructions
2) Star t studying
Regardless of whether you use the app Online Course, the Offline Study Pack, or both, you're on your way to improving your skills!
Learn step-by-step via educational videos In-app badges keep learning fun
Study on the go wherever you have your phone Course completion certificates
Online Academic Skills Course (OASC)
ADVANCE YOUR EDUCATION WITH OASC
Build your academic skills with the Online Academic Skills Course. Whether you're looking to increase your AFCT scores for reclassification or preparing for college, OASC provides customized, online learning that's ready whenever and wherever you are.
Personalized Study Save
Adaptive technology allows you to focus your studies in the greatest areas of need.
Live Tutoring
Connect with a personal tutor in less than 3 min
Did we mention that OASC is free for all active Service members?
Learn your way
Study the way you learn best with videos, flashcards, and more! App
No Wi-Fi? No problem. Our App comes complete with an offline study pack
My Academic Predictor
Your diagnostic exam scores are used to predict your AFCT performance
No nonsense and no excuses. OASC is designed to give you all the learning tools you need.
Service members report using OASC to:
Increase GT scores
Study for CLEP or DSST exams
Become eligible for commissioning programs Supplement in-person learning (BSEP)
Plus, it couldn't be easier. Visit dantes.petersons.com or download the app (search for OASC) to register for your account
UPCOMING WEBINARS
DANTES Learning Days, Part 2
Thursday, October 3
1100 ET / 1000 CT / 0900 MT / 0800 PT
This event will focus on guiding the service member in their education journey using DANTES programs. We’ll explore resources to quick start the service members education pathway through the Credit by Examination Program, helping them earn college credit for what they already know.
Additionally, we’ll discuss the TA DECIDE college comparison tool to help the service member decide what academic institution is the best fit for them and available overseas education support to encourage the service member to continue pursuing their education goals regardless of where they serve. DANTES programs save the service member time, tuition assistance costs, and can help accelerate their education journey.
Check out the Council for Adult and Experiential Learing (CAEL) Webinar:
https://stradaeducation.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_jLpfPMjFTJWBsALz4RoT_g#/registration
Kuder for Counselors and Service Members: Interpretation of Holland Results to Best Advise Service Members
Tuesday, October 8, 1100 ET / 1000 CT / 0900 MT / 0800 PT
Learn how Kuder Journey’s research-based assessments can help service members to gain a deeper understanding of their interests, skills, and work values to apply them to a career plan for their future. This information is vital to creating a comprehensive plan and can help tailor education and training goals to assist them in planning career-focused, education goals. REGISTER TODAY!
CLEP Webinar Series for Education Counselors and Academic Institutions:
* October 14: CLEP & Military
* November 13: CLEP for Colleges/Universities
* November 15: CLEP & Military
CLEP: clep.collegeboard.org/for-colleges/free-clepwebinars
