Instructional Technology Services (ITS) User Group Meeting
Meeting Notes
·
Introduction -
·
The ultimate goal of training is to empower individual to work more
productively and effectively with reduced frustration.
·
Training must become an integral partner in the adoption of new
technologies and services rather than an afterthought or optional feature.
·
For any given training topic, there will probably be multiple
approaches/modalities required to address the needs of the users.
·
The training group should respond to identified needs of the institution,
yet be visionary and proactive in anticipating future training issues.
·
The training group cannot, and should not, try to “do it all” – in many
cases the value add will be the orchestration of pairing the expertise of the
subject matter experts to the target audience and leveraging that SME
contribution as far as possible.
·
Our
Approach
·
The spring months were spent conducting needs assessments through all
areas of the University.
·
The initial effort was directed toward the “low hanging fruit” – those
programs in great demand that could be easily presented and impact large
numbers of employees.
·
Attention has been given to organizational structure and methods by
which we can effectively market training programs and interface with the
University community.
·
A training management system, Training
Register, has been implemented to help streamline logistics and initiate
individual training plans and training records.
·
Initial
Milestones
·
Over 200 individuals attended classes offered over the summer.
·
Forty-two separate classes have been developed for presentation this
fall.
·
Focus has been given to short courses with very specific skill outcomes.
·
The Training Register TMS
software has been implemented and is being well received by the UHD Community.
·
One-on-one training is being conducted daily on a variety of topics.
·
Where
We’re Going
·
Continual program improvement in class offerings.
·
Expansion of modalities past the initial classroom approach.
·
Identification of appropriate “training tracks” for skill sets needed.
·
Increased responsiveness to the user base.
·
Implementation of required training programs for some services.
·
Tighter integration of training services to existing and emerging
technologies.
·
Developing an effective “one-stop-shop” for user training and
information.
·
Digital
Signage system was
presented by Steve Cachia, Video Network Engineer. Steve discussed the availability,
location, purpose, and possible applications of the new Digital Signage system.
Large digital display screens are now installed in three locations on the 3rd
floor: The locations are 3rd Floor East, 3rd Floor West
and the Cafeteria. The primary purpose is to provide information for the
student body. The system will be used to advertise different types of events,
alert notifications and live TV events. The screens will be used to display
both text messages and video clips. The screens have been tested and
operational control has been passed to Albert Holden in
·
Banner Upgrade Update was presented by Hossein
Shahrokhi, Executive Director – Information Technology. The project has started, testing and user
training will take place this fall. Implementation is expected to
occur during the Spring Break 2005.
o
What’s changed in Banner 6?
§
Many of the icons
have changed to be more descriptive.
o What’s the same?
§
The initial
screen has a “new logo” and some smart new graphics, but once you type the form name in the GO box, you will
have the same familiar interface you
had in Banner 5, but enhancements and additional functionality have been added.
o Who is testing?
§
Several groups
have been identified to test Banner 6, including
o
When will the upgrade be completed?
§
The target
timeframe for completing the Banner 6 upgrade is by the end of Spring Break
2005.
·
ACL Updates were presented by Lucy Bowen, Coordinator of Computing
Lab Services. Lucy discussed the new satellite Academic Computing Lab located
on the 3rd floor of the
o
http://www.uhd.edu/computing/wireless/
·
User Support Updates were presented by Said
Fattouh, Director – User Support Services. See the following updates:
o
Desktop Computing Project
§
Meetings are
underway with department chairs and supervisors to finalize the plan for this
year and set priority.
o
Satellite Lab Upgrade
Project
§
Meetings will
begin soon with lab liaisons to tal
o
Computer Viruses
§
UHD has seen few
new viruses over the past week. Virus protection is automated to remotely
update clients.
o
Windows Update Automation
§
We are in the
process of automating the update to Windows operating systems on campus and
will be asking faculty and staff to start keeping their PCs on overnight.
o
Windows XP SP2
§
We are still
holding on upgrading Windows XP to SP2 until testing is finalized.
o
§
The new
full-time Technical Support Specialist position will be
filled within a week.
·
Distance Education Updates - Dr. Gail Evans, Executive
Director of Distance Education, was present at out
·
Library Updates were provided via a handout by Steven Ring, Library
Technical staff. The following information was included in the handouts:
o
Distance Education Librarian
§
Shannon Cunningham
will start work on November 1 as the Distance Education and Interlibrary Loan
Librarian. She will plan and coordinate library services for distance
education, giving these services personal attention that was not previously
possible.
§
E-mail: CunninghamSha@uhd.edu
§
Phone: 713-221-8469
§
Office: Interlibrary Loan, 503N
o
New Library Databases
§
Business Cycle
Indicators
§
Communication
Abstracts (1977 to present)
§
Computer Science
Index (1955 to present)
§
Consulta – a
Spanish dictionary and encyclopedia with an e-book collection
§
Corbis Images for
Education – digital images for faculty and students
§
Encyclopedia
Britannica Online
§
History E-Book
Project
§
International
Index of Music Periodicals (1874 to present)
§
§
Sage Full Text
(Communications, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Sociology)
§
Science Magazine
Online (1995 to present