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Computing Survival Skills
  Program Background
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Information

 Program Overview
 Participant Benefits
 Certification Process
 Program Background
 Participant Comments

Reference

 Objectives & Questions
 Terminology
 Documentation

Resources

 Instructors
 Class Assignments
 Professional Development

Program Background
Computing Survival Skills is based on the philosophy of providing "computer support closer to the need" through localized, departmental support at U.Va. The original idea for Computing Survival Skills developed out of the Local Support Partner (LSP) program in which each department designates a staff member who is in charge of providing the main computing support.

ITC Training Services carried out a needs assessment and needs analysis in the spring of 1996 to determine the program goal, target audience, and learning objectives. Through interviews and questionnaires with Local Support Partners and other U.Va. staff members, we found that many departments needed additional computer support. The staff members who provide backup support within their departments were designated as Local Support Associates (LSAs). From August to September 1997, an instructional designer worked with nine instructors, who served as the content experts, to develop the workshop format and curriculum for the training program. After a Reference Manual was completed to complement the instruction, a pilot program was designed to serve as the formative evaluation for Computing Survival Skills.

Pilot Program
The pilot program took place September 30-October 28, 1997. Department heads and administrative managers handpicked 13 staff members from various academic and administrative departments to participate in the pilot. All 13 individuals completed the pilot and according to the evaluations, around 90% said that they were satisfied with the program as a whole. In a follow-up session, all of the pilot participants said that they learned useful information that would help them do their jobs more effectively. Based on the positive feedback, Computing Survival Skills did not require any major structural revisions. After only minor enhancements, the rollout of the program took place on January 27-February 24, 1998.

Program Success
Computing Survival Skills certification program continues to meet the needs of the end users. The program as a whole exceeds our expectations and receives excellent reviews from all participants. According the workshop evaluations, the content, time requirements, schedule, and instruction meet the needs of the participants. The program rollout has the same high 90% satisfaction rate as the pilot, which indicates a continuous quality project.

Based on the fact that all six workshops scheduled through June 1998 were full and had waiting lists, it is clear that Computing Survival Skills certification program is in great demand. By June 1998, about 100 staff had completed the training and over 200 staff were using the Reference Manual as an office guide. Additional workshops will be scheduled throughout the year on an as needed basis. In addition, other workshops will be developed to serve as optional or supplemental training for the present target audience.

Computing Survival Skill certification program has potential for serving even larger audiences. We plan to train staff from U.Va.'s Division of Continuing Education by broadcasting the workshops live via satellite to remote locations throughout Virginia. This program can easily be adapted to target all U.Va. staff and students who require basic computer training. It could be used to hone competitiveness for professions in today's Information Technology dominated job market.

Project Development Team
Laura Sprung, Project Coordinator
Sue Ellen Breeden, Manager of Departmental Computing Support
Mark Smith, Manager of Desktop Computing Support

Original Instructor Development Team
Instructors: Jayne Ashworth, Tom Cichon, Rick Downs, Francis Ferki, John Hill, Nancy Hopkins, Jack Kelly, Tom Laudeman, Will Martin, George Payne, Jeff Sponaugle, Laura Sprung, George Williams.

Past Development Team Members
Theresa McMurdo, Instructional Designer/Project Coordinator
James Brown, Instructional Designer/Project Coordinator
Lisa Black, Instructional Designer/Project Coordinator
James Potter, Manager of ITC Training Services

 

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