Survey of Non-Program Resources for Teacher Technology Training

There are a range of technology training opportunities on most college and university campuses. These faculty development efforts can be sponsored by the larger institution, across departments or programs, or even within individual programs. In addition, some training resources can be found on web sites or through corporately endorsed resources. Determining the best type of non-program training for instructors must come from a critical and situated view of the goals and missions of the particular program itself.

This situated view must consider teacher-student populations, types of courses, and administrative and teaching philosophies. For example, it might seem better to work with a corporate entity such as WebCT to supply web site development services, but will these services support the kinds of student-teacher relationships that members of your program value? Will such a service help forward instructional goals and have both short- and long-term benefits? Such questions can only be answered in relationship to individual program's goals and objectives.

All program stakeholders, administrators and teachers, also should consider the potential strengths and weaknesses of training opportunities and determine how those forms of training will influence current faculty development efforts. This section tries to point out some of the potential strengths and weaknesses of such training, but those interpretations must be made in relationship to program goals. Thus, the evaluation questions can provide even more direction to help program members assess the non-program resources they engage.

Faculty Instructional Development Centers, Initiatives, or Programs
Training may include WebCT, Blackboard, or other Web hosting service, web development, image creation and manipulation, multimedia, video and audio production, chatspaces, MOOs, distance education initiatives, and others. The scope of the training depends largely on the kind of local program and funding for the program.

Potential Strengths
Created for the express purpose of developing technology-based instruction. Supported by a range of university personnel. Potential to foster collaborative relationships. Opportunities to gain funding and support for short- and long-term projects.

Potential Weaknesses
Support can be “uneven” or “in jeopardy” in lean financial times. Can be organized around a philosophy of teaching that is not learner-centered.

faculty development centers | computing center | library | technology department | intra-departmental | self-paced tutorials | web sites | corporate training

Computing Center or Other University-Wide Technology Training
Typical training includes Campus Accounts, Email, Networking, and Privacy and copyright issues.

Potential Strengths
Generally offered at convenient times and locations. Common knowledge based for students, staff, and faculty.

Potential Weaknesses
Often times task-based, focused on “perfect” user scenarios, and decontextualized. Often open to a range of university employees with different interests and purposes for attending (i.e. not teaching specific).

faculty development centers | computing center | library | technology department | intra-departmental | self-paced tutorials | web sites | corporate training

Library
Typical training includes Internet and electronic resources, Citation of electronic and other sources, Citation methods, Internet and plagiarism, and Bibliography software. Other training may include Web creation, Image editing, creation, and/or manipulation, and Microsoft introductions (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).

Potential Strengths
Current knowledge concerning online search methods and university policy on copyright. Opportunities to schedule appointments and training for specifics groups. Potential to build long-term collaborative relationships since compositionists and librarians have common interests in helping students conduct accurate and thorough research.

Potential Weaknesses
Audience for workshops tends to be broad and thus certain topics can be discussed in general rather than specific terms. Depending upon the focus of workshops, some training, particularly the basics of web design and image editing, can be merely about application.

faculty development centers | computing center | library | technology department | intra-departmental | self-paced tutorials | web sites | corporate training

Technology Department Training
Typical training depends upon the departmental expertise. Some departments include Multimedia, Computer Science, Instructional Design, Technology, and Information Technology.

Potential Strengths
A range of undergraduate, graduate, staff, and faculty developed workshops and tutorials.

Potential Weaknesses
Depending upon departmental philosophy and resources, workshops and tutorials can be decontextualized and offered only sporadically. Often open to a range of university employees with different interests and purposes for attending (i.e. not teaching specific).

faculty development centers | computing center | library | technology department | intra-departmental | self-paced tutorials | web sites | corporate training

Intra-Departmental or Intra-College Training
Typical intra-departmental or intra-college training includes Access to local servers, Email training, Web development, Image editing, creation, and/or manipulation, and Microsoft introductions (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).

Potential Strengths
Opportunities to develop collaborative relationships.

Potential Weaknesses
Often times not open for cross-departmental or cross-college participation. Contextualized for local membership.

faculty development centers | computing center | library | technology department | intra-departmental | self-paced tutorials | web sites | corporate training

CBT (Computer Based Training) or other Self-Paced Tutorials
Typical training includes Computing for beginners, CC++ programming, MS SQL server, systems, and database design, UNIX and LINUX, Project management, Web development, etc.

Potential Strengths
Learning at self-determined pace and schedule. Range of courses and levels of interest. Certifications available.

Potential Weaknesses
Lacks the context for learning the applications. No community building opportunities.

faculty development centers | computing center | library | technology department | intra-departmental | self-paced tutorials | web sites | corporate training

Web-based Learning Sites
Typically provide tutorials, resources, and chatspaces to discuss teaching with technology.

Potential Strengths
Wide variety of resources offered that are readily accessible on the WWW. Opportunities to build electronic network of support with other educators.

Potential Weaknesses
Quality of information is questionable depending upon the sponsoring organization or authoring corporation. Broad audience for websites can mean sorting through a great deal of information for little reward. Access is dependent upon your computer and its quality.

faculty development centers | computing center | library | technology department | intra-departmental | self-paced tutorials | web sites | corporate training

Corporate Training
Typically provide software-specific workshop sessions.

Potential Strengths
Workshop leaders are specialists with the software and offer step-by-step guidance. Beginner and expert level courses offered. Certifications available.

Potential Weaknesses
Training is expensive and generally requires travel to onsite training location at conference or industry location. Often open to a range of participants with different interests and purposes for attending (i.e. not teaching specific).

faculty development centers | computing center | library | technology department | intra-departmental | self-paced tutorials | web sites | corporate training