What do you do if your Higher Education institution's faculty and staff need training on new technology?

1 Assess Needs

Before diving into training, it's essential to assess the specific needs of your faculty and staff. This involves understanding the technology's purpose, identifying the gaps in knowledge, and recognizing the varying levels of proficiency among users. A thorough needs assessment will help tailor the training program to address the particular challenges and requirements of your institution. It's a strategic step to ensure that the training provided is relevant, effective, and does not waste resources on unnecessary topics.

2 Plan Training

Once you've identified the needs, planning the training is your next step. This plan should outline the objectives, format, schedule, and duration of the training sessions. You might consider a mix of in-person workshops, online tutorials, and hands-on practice sessions. Ensuring that the training is accessible to all faculty and staff, regardless of their current skill level or schedule, is vital. Flexibility and clear communication about the training plan are key to encouraging participation and engagement.

4 Implement Training

Implementation of the training should be carried out in a structured and supportive environment. This phase involves conducting the planned sessions, providing resources for self-learning, and establishing channels for ongoing support. It's important to create a positive learning atmosphere where faculty and staff feel comfortable asking questions and exploring the new technology. Regular feedback during this phase can help fine-tune the training process and ensure it is meeting the institution's needs.

5 Evaluate Impact

Evaluating the impact of the training is an important step to ensure that the objectives have been met. This can be done through surveys, direct feedback, or by assessing improvements in job performance. Evaluation helps in understanding what worked well and what could be improved in future training sessions. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate successes and to recognize the efforts of faculty and staff in embracing new technology.

6 Support Continuously

After the initial training, continuous support is essential to help faculty and staff fully integrate the new technology into their work. This could involve follow-up sessions, creating a helpdesk for tech-related queries, or establishing a community of practice where users can share tips and experiences. Ongoing support not only helps to reinforce learning but also encourages a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation within the institution.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?