Humanity in Technology

Test post

2010-07-13T12:37:00.001-07:00

Testing a post from Blogwriter

Google Apps for Education

2010-06-30T14:06:00.001-07:00

Well it has been quite a year for training as we have migrated to Google Apps for email, calendaring and Docs. I think the greatest issue in this type of migration is not the technology itself but rather the culture change that is needed for adoption. How does an IT organization encourage and foster a sense of confidence in the new technology? The year has been challenging but rewarding in developing the materials and providing the training for the faculty and staff so that they can begin the process of adaptation to the new system. Time will tell if the effort will provide confirmation that the training process took hold...

2009-11-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

Return from Hiatus

2008-12-23T12:38:00.001-08:00

Return from Hiatus
Wow, it has been a long time since I have had time to come in and report. I have been developing training materials and classes for our new administrative system and in the process, again realized how important it was for me to make sure that I keep the user in mind when I step into the session. I needed to rethink what documentation can be-clear and visual. There was thought of making the training totally online but I feel that in this type of training, there needs to be a face to face interaction to allow for questions and gauging of the person's ability to grasp the skills to navigate in the system. The technology can be there to be a resource but you can never take out the personal aspect. Just like tech support, tech training needs to have that personal aspect to encourage and inspire others to feel comfortable in the technology. Balance-yes, that's what it is...

Testing links to Youtube

2008-03-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

Testing a link from Youtube in a blog...

2007-09-26T12:22:00.001-07:00

This month has been both a defeat and a triumph as an instructor; as soon as you think you know it all, there is something that will knock you back and bring on a dose of humility back. Fortunately, the feedback from the class participants provided the realization that it is not about me but about the community that I am serving! This realization was also made evident last spring when I felt that I had deserved to win a service award. I experienced disappointment and yes, bitterness afterwards. Again, in reflection, there was conviction in my attitude towards the work that I do here-I needed to have a heart check and make sure of the reason I am here. Is it just for myself and my own satisfcation or am I here to serve...

A new frontier

2007-05-06T00:10:00.000-07:00

This month was a watershed mark for me as a trainer-The new ERP project was in place and the training began to introduce the system to a waiting community. I felt a little unsure of the effectiveness I could bring to training staff and faculty in the new system but after two sessions, I realized that those staff and faculty facing me needed someone to help them transition into the new Banner system. At that moment, all of my own insecurities fell away as I felt a great opportunity to demonstrate the mission that I had vowed to uphold-to be that human link to technology and to do what was necessary to give them a sense of confidence in the new frontier...

Keeping in touch

2007-03-03T00:35:00.000-08:00

I have found in my years that not only do we need to treat the users humanely, but also our fellow staff. It is not the perks and goodies that keep a ship tight but the respect and communication that we accord each other. I have found this invaluable as I have been able to develop relationships not only with our group but Networking, systems administrators, programmers, telecommunications and desktop engineering. I have brought that philosophy to my new position and will continue to maintain those relationships. more later...

Keep Humanity in Technology!

2007-02-22T22:30:00.000-08:00

As a help desk professional, I have found that there are times when technology seemed to overshadow the humanity that help desks need to maintain to assist the end user. Procedure and policy simply must not replace the human skills that are sorely needed to provide great service to a user community. Listening and observational skills as well as a good dose of empathy goes a long way to providing solutions as well as getting the user to work with you in the situation. Now as a development and trainer of technology in education, I can see the importance of these skills in even greater clarity for any level of technology support and service. Enough for a start-more later...