The ETC recently received a 90% satisfaction rating from the faculty on instructional technology support provided. The question was part of a larger survey completed by 109 of TU's 135 faculty. In an age of competing platforms and demanding constituents how was this accomplished? Several factors come to mind. Beginning in 2000 a careful strategy has been followed to standardize on key platforms and provide universal easy-to-use classroom technology, scheduled computer refreshes, high-quality training opportunities, one-one tutoring, and immediate help response. The "we will help you" spirit of the 6-person ETC team has won the trust of the faculty, resulting in a thriving academic technology environment.
Here are the specific factors that I believe has led to the ETC's success in working with faculty:
- Ten years of "we will help you" spirit that has won the confidence and trust of the faculty.
- ETC's uniquely gifted staff: Steve--digital media, Leon--computing/electronics, Beth--administrative/service, Scott--one-one/first responder, Tony--supervision.
- The ETC team provides immediate answers/assistance when a professor has a problem, including one-one "to your door" assistance.
- The ETC provides a place for faculty to go when they have questions or need to complete a technology project.
- A consistent 4-year faculty computer replacement schedule. Professors are provided good equipment in a timely manner.
- Since 2000 we have had a solid base product, Blackboard, upon which much of our instructional technology has been built (In the faculty survey the satisfaction rating for Blackboard's performance was 90% and for Blackboard as a product was 70%, both very high marks)
- By 2004 every classroom on campus was equipped with a ceiling projector and computer/multimedia podium (TU was one of the first schools in the nation to accomplish this). This helped immensely in getting faculty to use technology on a consistent basis in the classroom.
- Since the WordPerfect-to-Word switch in 1997 we have not changed platforms on faculty but have consistently built upon our core products -- Blackboard, MS Office, Respondus, Campus Pack, Turning Point, DyKnow Vision.
- Every year there is offered a wide selection of opportunities for faculty to learn new technologies -- T4T Conference, Mini-Grant Week, technology luncheons and other workshops, informational email messages.
- Consistent and timely communication to faculty on technology-related issues via portal announcements, email, and faculty meeting "rolling PowerPoints".
- Eagle Recognition incentive program -- I don't know if this resulted in any more faculty attending training opportunities (my sense is that it did not), but I believe it provided a positive morale boost, especially over the past several weeks as 41 faculty cashed in their points for very nice prizes.
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