Training Opportunities

We recognize that effective, frequent, enjoyable training opportunities will be critical to the success of this project. To that end, we've identified several different formats that we can deliver training in that you, the College community, recommended as most effective for yourselves. We're still working on finalizing our training plan, but we'll soon publish that information here, and when we do so, we'll include specific dates that training opportunities will commence. We expect portal training to begin in June, 2008 and extend through September, 2008 (and beyond) for the YC students, faculty, and staff.

Delivery Options

With the help of our portal project partner, SunGard Higher Education, we surveyed students, faculty, and staff in April to determine what training delivery options were most and least effective. Based on your responses, we've identified the following three methods of training as being areas of focus for us:

1. Hands-on, in-person sessions - where a portal expert walks you through step-by-step on how to get into the portal and how to find and manipulate information within it.
2. Online tutorials, videos, and handouts - available any time, day or night, from on- or off-campus for your review. Short video clips quickly demonstrate how to perform specific tasks while handouts can be printed out to serve as quick "cheat sheets" to perform common tasks.
3. Mentors and Portal Ambassadors - students, faculty, and staff who have graciously offered some of their time to receive extra training and information about the portal, these individuals may sit next to you in the office or in a classroom. They will be happy to answer questions and provide one-on-one informal training and support if you should encounter a problem.

Training Opportunities / Delivery Dates

We expect to begin training offerings in June, starting first with our Ambassadors and content managers. Beginning in July, we'll expand those offerings to include students, faculty, and staff who are on-campus. In late July, we'll make available online our tutorials, videos, and handouts. Throughout August and September (and beyond), we'll offer training sessions throughout the Yavapai College District, in-person and via ITV, so that every individual on every campus should have multiple opportunities to attend a training session. If you have specific questions or recommendations related to our training schedule, please feel free to contact us.