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Strategic Staff Development for the Web-enabled

Organisation

Dave Hartland

http://www.netskills.ac.uk/

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IntroductionTransforming The Organisation “…how our institutions' working practices and

organisational structures may need to be transformed in order to make best use of the Web.”

The Web is changing every aspect of institutional life

This should include staff development and training – particularly in relation to the web and all the processes and system it supports

But is this happening?

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“Every” aspect of institutional life?

External relations/marketing/publicityTeaching and learningResearchManagement Information SystemsLibrary servicesDepartment intranetsStudent supportDocumentationE-commerce

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Do we have a problem?Does your institution have everything that

is required in place to train and support the web services providers, the information providers and the users/customers?

Straw poll of 15 institutions no-one answered “yes”.

A few thought they were getting close.

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Who needs training?Almost everyone!

Technical staff Information managers Information providers Clerical staff Administrators Teaching staff Students Senior management

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What skills are required?Information managementInformation literacyWide range of technologies:

Software (operating systems, web server, databases, CMS systems, networks, etc)

Accessibility Metadata Images, multimedia

Design and graphicsContent creationEtc, etc

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Who’s responsible?Staff development unitE-learning unitInformation systemsExternal relationsIT servicesDepartments and facultiesSenior managementNo-one

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What’s happening at the moment?

Adhoc courses and programmesIn house workshops/seminarsExternal providersOnline coursesDocumentationRTFMConsultancy style support

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Is it important?The Web is mission critical…

… but what about the training and staff development?

Staff development programmes can help with: Staff retention Career development Changing technologies and structures Integration of systems Achieving institutional goals

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Robustness of service Cost savings Improved efficiency Initiative from knowledgeable staff

Core Web teams are starting to gain recognition….

…but often better programmes for “Planning for Retirement” then for maintaining the web systems and content

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Is there advice and help available?

Other institutions Case studies

Advice and guidance from national organisations:

JISC services Professional bodies Training and staff development organisations Commercial training providers UCISA UKERNA etc

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What will make it happen?JISC Study on Staff Development Drivers

(Higher Education Consultancy Group)

Establish 6 main types of driver: External Personal Infrastructional User/customer Role/professional

At least two needed for successful programme

Sometimes drivers in conflict

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A Strategic ApproachIntegrated programme providing appropriate

level of training for appropriate staff at appropriate time

Clear drivers behind the strategyCombines:

Needs analysis/diagnostic testing Face-to-face workshops Online courses

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Paper documentation Ongoing support Accreditation

Services and units working togetherUsing the technology – possibly learning

environment based courses and supportSpecial events – staff development/training

days/weeks

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SummaryImportance of staff/development and training

needs to be recognised in relation to web systems

Needs to be a strategic approach with management support

Bring together groups/units with in institutionNational web managers community can help

each other Share advice and support Produce sample strategies Look at the issue of accreditation