Faculty Training Initiative at the Indiana University School of Education: a Participative Effort

摘要

Studies show that for university faculty members, the effort to keep pace with new technology has created a significant rise in stress, and this technology-induced strain can contribute to increased exhaustion and reduced workplace satisfaction. Studies also show that professors are more satisfied with technology if they have received training. In addition, professors are more likely to accept technology training if provided with an incentive. During the fall semester of 2001, the Dean of the Indiana University (IU) School of Education proposed a laptop-for-training project for School of Education faculty. Participants―who must be full-time faculty― would take possession of a new laptop computer after completion of a prescribed course of technology training. In conjunction with an advisory group, the IU School of Education Technology Services and Instructional Consulting decided on 16 hours as a requirement and began offering a multitude of technology training sessions. Of 197 professors in the IU Bloomington School of Education, 60 applied in the first round. (Enrollment will be offered once per semester.) In addition to the workshops offered by the two technology services, the training committee has identified faculty participants who would be able and willing to teach workshops. The targeted instructors are offered two hours of laptop credit for every hour spent in the classroom. Faculty response has been positive; thus far, of the 33 internally-produced workshops, faculty members have taught 18. All Laptop Initiative participants have been given a choice of enrolling in offerings in-house or elsewhere in the University. The Faculty Laptop Training Initiative continues to be in full operation as of this writing. With the assistance of the committee members, faculty participants are continuing to enroll in technology workshops. Given the enthusiasm for training, and considering the rapidly developing technology environment, committee members hope to make the training effort an ongoing program that outlasts the immediate laptop initiative project.