October Training Calendar

The OIT training calendar is the place to go to find and register for computer training.

OIT Announcements

Blackboard has been upgraded to version 9.1 SP6 and offers a number of upgraded features (grade rubrics, needs grading page, auto-submit for timed assessments).�

Microsoft Office 2010 offerings continue to be expanded, and coming in October, will be an "iPad How-to" series of classes for faculty.

TechFest 2011 is coming Oct. 10-12. All faculty and staff are encouraged to participate by at least taking in a session or possibly even teach or facilitate a session!
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Online Training Opportunities

OIT's Training & Development Group wants to make you aware of several self-service training options that may be useful, including:

Atomic Learning --�

atomic.alaska.edu

-- This site contains online software training video tutorials.� These tutorials are highly focused in topic and range between 1 and 3 minutes in length.

Lynda.com --�

library.uaf.edu/ad-lynda

-- This site contains online software training video tutorials. Lynda.com's videos are longer and provide greater in depth information.

Skillsoft --�

uoa.skillport.com

-- Skillsoft is a training portal provided for UA employees. It includes online professional development courses and additional resources, such as Books 24x7 and Knowledge Centers. Books 24x7 provides access to technical and professional books (making them available for online viewing) and Knowledge Centers provide topics focused on business, professional development, and leadership.

OIT's website --

alaska.edu/oit

-- The OIT website contains up-to-the-minute information about outages, services and events, along with self-service technical support options.

Drop-in Training

Remember that you can drop by our office in 319B Bunnell if you need some one-on-one help or have a question; we also are willing to train a group from your office as well.� And of course there are our usual Friday drop-in hours of 1-2 p.m. for Google Apps-iTunesU-Podcasting� help, Blackboard (the current version or the scheduled new version)� from 2-4 p.m. in 319B Bunnell and TOAD-Roxen from 2-4 p.m. in Butrovich 104.

At the very least if you're not sure what the best approach is or exactly what your training needs are, call the Support Center (x8300) and they can initiate a help desk request ticket.�

As always, you can give us a call or send us an email

Chris Beks - cgbeks@alaska.edu - x6796
Gary Bender - gabender@alaska.edu - x6573
Cara Brunk - cbrunk@alaska.edu - x8385
Martin Miller - msmiller@alaska.edu - x8304

The Statewide Office of Human Resources has scheduled webinars through December 2011 for university employees.� See http://www.alaska.edu/hrtraining/Calendar/ for the monthly calendar at a glance.

CUSTOMER SERVICE
During the month of October, a number of organizations nationwide will focus their efforts on delivering exceptional customer service. Although you might expect that delivering excellent service is an everyday goal for each encounter with an internal or external customer, the fact is we all need reminders that customer satisfaction is crucial to organizational survival—See� http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=47412����

The International Customer Service Association reports that National Customer Service Week is an annual event that marks a perfect time to offer skills training and to acknowledge the importance of customer service.

“Setting the Stage for Exceptional Customer Service”
This session provides supervisors with tools to create a service culture in their own department. Learn how to develop service standards and gain new insights and strategies on customer service.�� Explore the value of building relationships with customers and create your department's customer-focused philosophy.

October 13, 2011; 1:30 p.m. @� Butrovich - Room to be Confirmed

“Fundamentals of Exceptional Customer Service” Audience:� all employees
This session establishes building blocks for creating a service culture. Learn how to develop service standards and gain new insights and strategies on customer service. Explore the value of building relationships with customers and create your own customer-focused philosophy.

October 14, 2011; 9:30 a.m. @ Butrovich - Room to be Confirmed

October 20, 2011; 1:30 p.m. @ Bragaw Office Building 205

WEDNESDAY WEBINARS
Webinars descriptions are posted on the HR website. Upcoming webinars for October include:

“Becoming a Team Player” - October 5 @ 9 a.m. � NOTE: this a special request by campus department) NOTE:� This webinar requires registration at the following LINK. �

“Enhancing Your Job Performance” – October 5 @ 11 a.m. LINK

“Becoming a Better Listener” – October 19 @ 11 a.m. LINK

The webinars are generally 45 minutes in length and are open to University of Alaska employees system-wide.� There are no fees to attend a ComPsych webinar. If the webinar takes place during the employee’s work hours, as with any training event, supervisory approval should be obtained to ensure proper departmental coverage.� Employees may join these webinars from any computer and telephone. A toll-free number is provided to join the audio portion of the webinar.�

To register* for webinars between October and December, 2011, simply select the desired training event on the calendar and enter your name, email address, telephone number and click “submit.”� Registered participants will receive a reminder email and the webinar handouts 24-48 hours prior to the webinar.

To request a topic for a department meeting or an upcoming Wednesday Webinar, review the ComPsych Catalog posted at ComPsych webinar page.� When submitting a request, please email syhrtraining@email.alaska.edu and include “ComPsych Webinar Request” in your subject line.

*NOTE:� the registration process for ComPsych webinars will change effective immediately for webinars, including those scheduled after January 2012.� These changes will allow UA employees to register directly with ComPsych.� An example of some of the changes UA employees can expect to see are similar to those being tested for the October 5, 2011 webinar registration for “Becoming a Team Player” at 9 a.m.�

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Anne Sakumoto at anne.sakumoto@alaska.edu or (907) 786-1432.
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