As one of the first acts I performed after starting my new role as the Educational Technology Specialist here at BCC, distributing a survey may not have been the most glamorous things to do. But of approximately 100 surveys randomly distributed, 30 were returned. My expectation from previous surveys at other institutions was that about 15 would be returned! I was impressed by the response. Burlington County College faculty are willing to speak-up about what they want, and what they already know. Here are some of the survey results:

The majority of faculty said that, when trying to learn something new about computer software, they find it most helpful to sit at a computer and follow along with an instructor who is presenting. A few people preferred other methods, so I have re-arranged the furniture in the ETC to facilitate different learning styles.

The majority of responders also said that they like to "Take home printed handouts on paper." While not at all surprising, this overwhelming response did make me think

When I was in college, and when I taught college, it was a rare instructor who provided handouts of lecture notes. Yet this is what a majority of college instructors want done for them! Do we have a double standard here? Perhaps. But I will always try to accommodate the request to provide lecture notes before ETC classes. Of course, as with most things in life, lecture notes and handouts will get better over time, so please provide feedback on the materials available from the ETC.

Topics which interested BCC faculty were (top five):

1. Web site design
2. Microsoft PowerPoint
3. Educational Media
4. How to spice up presentations
5. Computer Based Presentations

BCC faculty already had some training in:

1. Microsoft Word
2. Introduction to PC's
3. Microsoft PowerPoint
4. Exploring the Internet
5. How to spice up presentations

Currently the Educational Technology Center has the following resources for faculty and staff development:

• Martin Hoffman, Educational Technology Specialist
* B.A. in Literature and Communications
* M.S. in Telecommunications
* 22 years experience assisting with the use of technology in classroom settings
* 2 years experience as an Adjunct Instructor of Information Systems at Pace University in White Plains, New York
• Seven Gateway P5-166 Pentium based IBM PC compatible computers with a variety of different software and hardware
• Two Power Macintosh 8500/180 computers with a variety of different software and hardware
• A scanner, a color printer and a laser printer
• A collection of periodicals on a variety of technology and teaching related subjects
• A tiny, but growing collection of books and reference materials on a variety of technology and teaching related subjects

Located in the Lewis Parker Center, Room 311A

You can reach the Center at phone extension 7782