I currently work within a post secondary educational environment. At the Frank & Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center on the shared campus of Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College I work as a Graduate Assistant. On the surface this requires 20 hours a week in a very non-traditional manner. There are 8 student employees, 2 part time secretaries and 2 faculty. Each of these individuals have very different technology skill levels and various levels of computer competency. I view skill level and competency differently. I see skill level as hands on the keyboard, ability to make programs work and competency is understanding how and why the program works. The two are not necessarilly interchangable. I am considered the in-house technology person and issues, concerns, training, and troubleshooting often come to me, before being referred to the IT department.
In conducting a technology needs assessment within this environment I would first conduct a formal survey of each of the employees in the building. While I am familiar with each of their skill levels I would want to know what technology they want to learn and utilize. This formal survey combined with a working knowledge will help facilitate an assessment of the current technology climate within the Center.
An examination of the mission statement of the Center and future programming goals would enable a realistic technology assessment. A thorough familiarization with the staff, the goals of the organization, and the current technologies available would enable a thorough technology assessment.
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