Training

As we are about half way through the summer break, I know that soon I’ll have to attending a training session sponsored by my college. Every summer, it is required to attend a session that focuses on the technology available and how it can and should be used.

First, I need to say I am thrilled at what I have available to me. Being able to go on the internet and display the websites on the board, having a built in video tape player and CD player, being able to run a PowerPoint presentation on the board are all wonderful tool.

The problem is, I have been through these training sessions before. While there is always new information I can learn, since the ‘class’ will be a combination of first time adjuncts as well as older adjuncts, most of the focus is on the how to that I already know. This can get to be frustrating.

It would be nice if the broke this into an introductory session, intermediate session and advanced session, although that is not realistic. The individual who teaches these classes does hold sessions throughout the year but this is the one that is required.

I think it is time the exempt faculty who have been there for a certain amount of years. Still, the will allow for some socialization and they will serve us pizza for dinner, so it is not too bad. It should also serve as a reminder to me that as an instructor, I will probably be dealing with students who feel this way; that they already know the material I am covering and why aren’t they exempt from attending. Since I am big on attendance and have a policy, I guess I can understand and even agree with the policy of requiring all adjuncts to attend.