Whatever the project may be, the Faculty Technology Lab is a great place to find assistance. In general, most people do not want to spend a lot of time working on hypothetical situations or searching through an index looking for an answer. Whether the faculty member is an old pro or a true novice, tailoring instruction to fit their needs is essential. Because our clients are often pressed for time, my student assistants and I might only have one chance during a semester to help a faculty member. We strive to ensure that their experience is positive and successful so that they will feel comfortable about contacting us again.
Support is also available for groups and departments.
I have sat in on several departmental meetings to remind faculty that Academic Computing can provide assistance concerning course-specific software. In many cases, entire departments have experienced what educators might call fossilization. A nudge in the right direction, a simple tip, or an offer to help is often just the thing to get them thinking about new ways of using technology. Visiting a department also gives me the opportunity to invite faculty to select textbooks that include multimedia components and to discuss with them the different ways those components can be used with the campus network. Another objective of Academic Computing concerns the dissemination of information.