Topic: Learning Lab
Date: February 7, 2007
Time: 2:00 – 3:30
Time Estimate: 1.5 hours
Method: Live meeting
Location: Memorial Hall, Training Room A
In an effort to service the Rowan campus community, Information Resources Training Services is continually adding new training offerings. For spring 2007, we’ve introduced “Learning Lab,” a new session which provides time away from your hectic office for independent study on technology-related topics.
The live Focus Group reviewed various resources available to attendees to utilize during “Learning Lab.” We also obtained input on what other resources you’d like available during the session and how we can best communicate this new offering to the campus.
Focus Groups participants were given a brief description and background on “Learning Lab,” then viewed three activities that will be available in the new session: Recommended Reading, the IR Online Training Center, and Custom Guide’s Online Training. After reviewing each activity, participants recommended that “Learning Lab” be added to Information Resources Training Services list of offerings as a new session.
Valuable Characteristics of “Learning Lab:”
- It allows participants the opportunity to remove themselves from office distractions to learn new technology-related programs and better master software they already use.
- Individuals can work at their own pace without feeling rushed and holding back faster learners.
- Learning Lab will give enable employees to learn a new program on their own, eliminating reliance on support staff, making the employee more marketable on campus.
- Offers various types of teaching techniques to appeal to all learning styles.
- Adds exposure to University-supported software.
Valuable Focus Group Recommendations
- Consider adding a “Team Day,” or group appointments which would allow staff to work together on a project in “Learning Lab.”
- Add more software to utilize during “Learning Lab” including SPSS for Faculty.
- Add more recommended readings including Photoshop and Adobe.
- Consider changing title to something more appropriate for employees. Currently “Learning Lab” implies this session is geared toward students and may be ignored by staff and faculty when communicated to the campus. Could include the key words “Professional Development” and “Technology” in some form.
- The session’s description should include the words “Independent Study” in the beginning to drive the point home.
- Be sure to include that this is geared toward staff, faculty, and administration in the description.
- Emphasize that resources will be available for various types of learning styles.
- Address supervisors directly and note that their support staff will be better able to do perform their job duties if released for “Professional Development.”
- Note that this session is different from a clinic.
- Properly title the role of the staff person manning the room. Consider “Lab Aide,” “Learning Facilitator,” or “Lab Monitor” and consider making an announcement in the beginning of the session.
- Provide a list of University-supported programs available in “Learning Lab.”
- Add a link to the Recommend Reading page.
“Consider having at different times to accommodate Faculty.”
“Should consider offering Learning Lab at least once a week and hold it on the same day every week.”
“Time slots need to be more specific, similar to Banner General Clinics,” (clinics accommodate two people every half-an-hour.)
Many felt that the Custom Guide Online Training and reviewing the IR Online Training Center were most valuable, while Recommend Reading was only somewhat useful. A handful of individuals found Recommended Reading to be valuable, but as an activity to partake in outside of the “Learning Lab” because it is an independent activity that can be completed any where. One individual noted that Recommend Reading should be offered because we should appeal to all types of learning styles.
8 out of 16 participants responded that they’d be “Very Likely” to attend “Learning Lab.”
4 out of 16 people responded they’d be “Likely” to attend “Learning Lab.”
0 out of 16 participants noted they would be “Unlikely” to attend “Learning Lab.”
