Other training, moreover, is just as critical for technical support staff. Rapid technological change makes it easy for technology specialists to fall behind. Sufficient time and funding for continuing training is essential if technical support is to remain effective. According to management, staff training has been minimal due to a history of inadequate staffing and not the result of an inadequate training budget. With the addition of the incremental staff positions recently approved by the board, management should be better able to allow staff to take time off for training.
Training is particularly important for technical staff to ensure the staff maintains current skills.
Instructional Technology staff are surveyed annually to evaluate training needs, and training is scheduled for the following year. Department-wide training takes place at CT meetings twice each month. CTs then are more prepared to address the specific support and training needs at the campus level. Training suggestions for campus technologists for the 1999-2000 school year are listed below. The Gartner Group, a leading independent technology research and analysis firm, suggests that every dollar spent on hardware and software should be matched by a dollar for support, maintenance, and training.