Training program growth...

IT Training and Communications is a division of Information Technology Services (ITS), which provides computer application training for the faculty and staff at Saint Louis University. In the beginning, IT Training and Communications provided training in word processing, database and spreadsheet programs. However, the University community needs were growing in the areas of spreadsheet/database management, database design, and web base applications, as well as in fundamental computer skills. In response to requests from the Saint Louis University's community, we began the process of redeveloping our computer application training program. We decided that all of the courses that we offered should be redesigned into "level" classes, allowing users to build their skills received from training as they applied them in their work environment. A complete course description for each level would be provided so that participants would be able to determine which level of class they should attend, based on the course content and skills taught. In addition, IT Training and Communications wanted to maintain a record of participant's attendance to provide recognition for the time and effort participants spent enhancing their computer knowledge as well as personal and professional growth. Each participant would receive a bound course book, diskette, and a certificate of completion for each level completed.Although we had developed a great program on paper, our resources (people and time primarily) were very limited. Several questions raised their ugly heads: