Technology Training for Faculty, Students at Ball State University Libraries Translates into Dynamic Presence in the Workplace

Collaborating with faculty to bring customized, instructor-led technology training into the classroom setting is an example of the University Libraries’ Technology Training Support Services’ (TTTS) unique offerings for students, faculty, and staff.

Technology training, aimed at specific assignments, moves the technology training aspect from the faculty member only to a partnership with TTSS personnel. This allows the professor and students to focus on information content. There are many examples of how the TTSS unit has made a technology difference for students.

For example, Dr. Jerome Kotecki invites the TTSS staff to provide PowerPoint poster training in his graduate classes. The students learn the essential features of PowerPoint, allowing the professor and students to concentrate on designing informative, engaging posters.

By participating in this customized activity, students learn software application techniques, which they can apply to future job assignments. In fact, one of Dr. Kotecki's former student's, who is now an employee of the Indiana State Department of Health, carried this training into her current position when she was asked to present information at a conference. The skills that student learned for building a PowerPoint poster at Ball State University as part of a class came into play.

In another example, Dr. Maria Williams-Hawkins, who has attended several TTSS training programs, recently guided a student to TTSS for one-on-one training to develop a CD, using relational PowerPoint presentation techniques.

The student had the ideas, information, and plan. One-on-one targeted training helped the student to develop the PowerPoint skills required for the project. The result is that she successfully produced a visually engaging, relational, promotional CD for use by the Muncie Housing Authority.

Customized, instructor-led technology training is an effective educational resource for teaching, learning, and classroom enhancement. The University Libraries’ Technology Training Support Services unit is prepared to assist faculty and staff in planning specific, goal oriented, technology training.

For more information to discover how TTSS personnel can partner effectively in learning endeavors, contact Yasemin Tunç at YTunc@bsu.edu or call (765) 285-5902.