Technology Training

January
1998
Technology Committee Chair

With the buildout of the Telecommunications and Technology Infrastructure Program (TTIP) in conjunction with the California State University (4Cnet), and the establishment of minimal technology hardware standards on each community college (T1 line, Videoconferencing, and satellite download) it is time to turn our attention to applications. Utilization of the infrastructure is tied in large part to the training available. Therefore, as part of the TTIP funding, there is a statewide coordination of training grant which identified DeAnza College as the fiscal agent. This project has been initially named the 4C@ONE project (California Community College Consortium at Outcomes Network for Educators), and it represents a collection of 10 coordinating college partners who are leading the planning and delivery of technology training for faculty and staff across the state. The partner colleges are Butte, DeAnza, Fresno, LA Trade, Las Positas, Marin, Santa Ana, San Diego Miramar, Santa Monica, and Santa Barbara.

The two year grant calls for two studies to initially occur prior to training. The first study involves two and four year colleges to review and establish benchmarks of good practice in the various uses of technology. The results of this survey will serve as a starting spot in planning future training and will be made available to the field. This work was completed in late November. The second phase of surveys will be to poll the faculty in a selected statistical survey of representatives. A questionnaire will be placed in the hands of the involved faculty by mid-January, with the results due back in early February. This data will be tabulated and analyzed by a researcher and the consortium team to provide the basis for future planning.

We have many common issues in the arena of technology training, and it seems to make sense to coordinate our efforts and maximize the use of the staff development dollars. The idea behind the consortium is to coordinate regional training both on your campus and regionally as appropriate. A training schedule will be coming forth in the mid-Spring. An important component of the technology training will be a multiple day live-in/hands-on opportunity cosponsored by the Academic Senate and 4C@ONE, to give faculty a experience with the hardware and software, and to come away with tangible products and skills.

Watch for announcements from both groups and apply early.