TLA Program Transfer to Training Services

From ETS

About the TLA Program

Technology Learning Assistants (TLAs) help Penn State faculty members at University Park use technology in their classes. TLAs spend a semester (or more) in one-on-one consultations (5 to 10 meetings) to answer technology questions and help faculty learn the skills necessary to use ANGEL, create Web pages, develop PowerPoint slides, develop a grade book, and learn other technology skills.

Program Transition

At this point in time it makes sense to align the TLA program with training services. The goal is to have the transfer complete by the start of the fall semester. At that time training services will assume management of the TLA program. Jeff will provide consultation as needed through the fall. Transferring the TLA program over to training services allows training services to:

• provide a cost effective solution to one-time, or specific training needs
• support a greater number of training seminars they offer

Over the summer Jeff will work with Training services (Lisa Lacomb, Chris Lucas, an another person) to transition the TLA program from ETS into training services. Action items include:

• finalizing the TLA roster for fall (8-10 students recommended)
• creating course content
• identifying subject-matter-experts to train the TLAs
  • TLAs are traditionally trained on consulting skills, ANGEL, and Adobe Connect. Over the past two years TLAs were also trained to support the blogs and podcasting pilots.
  • Training services may wish to modify the services supporting by TLAs to match their seminar offerings
• The marketing plan
  • Faculty: market TLA services
  • Students: recruit new TLAs

Action Items

• Jeff will provide Training Services with access to the TLA materials (completed)
• Lisa & Chris will identify the person in Training Services who will manage the program (completed)
• Jeff & the identified person will work over the summer to transfer the program (begin 6/18)