Since faculty are no longer the major source of information, of particular importance is the ability of faculty to guide students through the morass of the Internet to identify the reliability of information. In addition, faculty should be capable of identifying or creating courseware that evokes student motivation, and encourages interactivity, collaboration, and modular learning activities. Faculty Selection and Training. Not every faculty member will have the skills and temperament for technology-mediated learning. In addition to careful selection of faculty members, proper training with respect to learner needs and the use of technology is essential.
Training needs to be continuous because of the changing requirements of technology.
Libraries and learning resources are being transformed by technology. The rapid pace of replacing traditional libraries and resource centers with computer networks and on-line retrieval systems requires that students and faculty, staff, and administrators be provided ongoing orientation and training sessions for accessing information. There is a growing movement for colleges and universities to contract for student services, including registration, business office, financial aid, and bookstore functions. Institutions that use outside sources must be diligent in ensuring that students receive clear, complete, and timely information regarding institutional requirements, assumptions about technological competence and skills, technical equipment requirements, and availability of support services and that students have easy access to services. Ensuring that students participating in learning activities do not experience interruptions or problems in communications, the institution's technological infrastructure needs to be continually monitored and, if appropriate, enhanced.