Tech Training

USM has taken steps to beef up technical support for faculty and staff, with creation of the Center for Teaching's Technology Education and Training Room.

Located in the former conference room that overlooks the Luther Bonney computer lab, the center features eight computer stations and a large, high-resolution screen for display of instructional materials. Creation of the room was a collaborative effort among several departments, including the Center for Teaching, Instructional Technology & Media Services, Telecommunications and UNET, Software Services, University Computing Technologies, and the associate provost for technology, information systems, and libraries.

The education and training room provides a space dedicated for faculty and staff use. Now, "we can tailor training sessions to the needs of small groups of faculty or departments, and even offer one-on-one help," said John Bay, executive director of the Division of Academic Support and director of the Center for Teaching. "We have much more flexibility."

Many of the sessions that have been offered have been geared to familiarizing faculty with CourseInfo, a software product that allows faculty to post syllabi, class exercises, grades, assignments and useful links.

Bay emphasizes that use of the lab also will be dictated by training needs, as expressed by faculty. Staff development workshops in computer training also will be held in the new facility.

For more information, please contact Bay at 780-4470 or by email at johnbay@usm.maine.edu

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