Staff Training and Staff Training and DevelopmentDevelopment

A Personal PerspectiveA Personal Perspective

Alan McLennanAlan McLennanFlinders UniversityFlinders University

School of Biological SciencesSchool of Biological Sciences

BackgroundBackground

• Working at Flinders University, School of Working at Flinders University, School of Biological Sciences for 9 yearsBiological Sciences for 9 years

• Have a B.Sc (Hons) in Zoology (1991)Have a B.Sc (Hons) in Zoology (1991)

• Studying at Flinders for the last 4Studying at Flinders for the last 4 years years

• Field of study:- BA majoring in Geography, Field of study:- BA majoring in Geography, specialising in GIS (Geographic Information specialising in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Spatial Statistics/ModellingSystems) and Spatial Statistics/Modelling

• Submitted my last assignment yesterdaySubmitted my last assignment yesterday

What training options are What training options are available?available?

• The staff training and development The staff training and development unit unit doesdoes offer a range of short offer a range of short courses available to all staffcourses available to all staff

• Are there any specific to technical Are there any specific to technical staff?staff?

• Maybe. Courses are broadly Maybe. Courses are broadly structured to cater for a range of structured to cater for a range of staffstaff

• Introduction to MeetingmakerIntroduction to Meetingmaker• Project ManagementProject Management• Applying for Animal Ethics ApprovalApplying for Animal Ethics Approval• Time Management – 10 tipsTime Management – 10 tips• Introduction to SPSSIntroduction to SPSS• Intermediate SPSSIntermediate SPSS• Using Dreamweaver to Maintain WebsitesUsing Dreamweaver to Maintain Websites• Introduction to Excel – Entering and Formatting Introduction to Excel – Entering and Formatting

DataData• Using Formulas and Functions in ExcelUsing Formulas and Functions in Excel• Managing Long Documents in WordManaging Long Documents in Word• Overview to EndnoteOverview to Endnote• Project ManagementProject Management

• Introduction to PowerPointIntroduction to PowerPoint• Introduction to qualitative research methodsIntroduction to qualitative research methods• Introduction to Word – Formatting textIntroduction to Word – Formatting text• Overview of NVivoOverview of NVivo• Computer MaintenanceComputer Maintenance• Formatting Documents using Styles in WordFormatting Documents using Styles in Word• Relational Data BasesRelational Data Bases• Critical Thinking and Problem SolvingCritical Thinking and Problem Solving• Questionnaires and Questionnaire DesignQuestionnaires and Questionnaire Design• Using Electronic Journals for Academic Using Electronic Journals for Academic

ResearchResearch• Approaches to qualitative data analysisApproaches to qualitative data analysis• Electrical Safety Testing Part I & IIElectrical Safety Testing Part I & II• Train the TrainerTrain the Trainer

• However, many aimed at academic and However, many aimed at academic and administrative staff, and postgraduate administrative staff, and postgraduate studentsstudents

• I examined options of fields of study I examined options of fields of study that would be of benefit at a personal that would be of benefit at a personal and professional leveland professional level

• I then investigated the level of support I I then investigated the level of support I would receive from the Staff Training would receive from the Staff Training and Development Unit and my and Development Unit and my supervisorsupervisor

How do I study while at How do I study while at work?work?• Flinders Staff Training and Development UnitFlinders Staff Training and Development Unit

– Assists staff in pursuing tertiary study while Assists staff in pursuing tertiary study while working at Flinders Universityworking at Flinders University

– Pays all fees (excepting HECS)Pays all fees (excepting HECS)– In conjunction with supervisor, allows staff the In conjunction with supervisor, allows staff the

flexibility of up to 6 hours per week for attending flexibility of up to 6 hours per week for attending formal contact hours (lectures and tutorials)formal contact hours (lectures and tutorials)

• My average study leave from work over 4 My average study leave from work over 4 years:- 4 hours per week per semesteryears:- 4 hours per week per semester

Why study?Why study?

• Expand skill base Expand skill base • Personal interestPersonal interest• Other employment options, both within Other employment options, both within

and outside the university environmentand outside the university environment• New focus at workNew focus at work• Motivation (personal and professional)Motivation (personal and professional)• NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM

MY SUPERVISORS AND THE STAFF MY SUPERVISORS AND THE STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT UNITTRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT

Is part time study difficult?Is part time study difficult?

• In short, YESIn short, YES

• Study is difficult, but rewardingStudy is difficult, but rewarding

• I have a young family, and my study I have a young family, and my study has had minimal impact on family life has had minimal impact on family life (I think!)(I think!)

• I have adapted to a nocturnal study I have adapted to a nocturnal study routine that allows time for children routine that allows time for children on weekendson weekends

Does my employer support Does my employer support me?me?

• YES. Fortunately I am very luckyYES. Fortunately I am very lucky

• My direct supervisor can see the long My direct supervisor can see the long term benefits – for myself and the term benefits – for myself and the School, and has been very supportiveSchool, and has been very supportive

• My time off work has had minimal (or My time off work has had minimal (or no) impact on my day to day tasksno) impact on my day to day tasks

Are others in my area Are others in my area studying?studying?

• Yes. I am not the only staff member Yes. I am not the only staff member in my section studying. I was also in my section studying. I was also not the first.not the first.

• I would probably not be studying if I would probably not be studying if other staff members had not been other staff members had not been doing it either (including my doing it either (including my supervisor)supervisor)

Why did I choose Why did I choose Geography?Geography?• I can see the increasing use of GIS in our I can see the increasing use of GIS in our

School alone, with increasing use in School alone, with increasing use in Archaeology, Social Sciences and Earth Archaeology, Social Sciences and Earth Sciences at Flinders UniversitySciences at Flinders University

• Spatial statistics is becoming increasingly Spatial statistics is becoming increasingly important in the environmental sciencesimportant in the environmental sciences

• Presently in Biological Sciences, there is Presently in Biological Sciences, there is no resident ‘expert’ in GIS (not that I am no resident ‘expert’ in GIS (not that I am an expert)an expert)

• Future opportunity? I believe so.Future opportunity? I believe so.