SoftChalk Instructor Support and Training

From CTLpedia

Project Summary: The CTL supports the use of the SoftChalk software for faculty and staff to use in the creation of online content.

Contents 1 Project Goals 2 Relation to CTL Department Plan Initiatives 3 Project Staff 4 Project Timeline 4.1 Current Status 4.2 Future Directions 5 Project Resources 6 Project Outcomes

Project Goals

• Provide and promote the SoftChalk software to faculty and staff to use in creating consistent, clear, interactive web content.
• Promote and provide training and support to faculty and staff using SoftChalk.
• Continually evaluate the quality, efficiency, and usefulness of the SoftChalk software and it's usage.

Relation to CTL Department Plan Initiatives

• Innovative New Technologies
• Support for Online Learning at MCC

Project Staff

• Melanie Kroening, Peggy Johnson, and Donna Gaudet provide documentation, training, support, and communication to faculty and staff interested in using the SoftChalk software.
• Martin Lehner developed a secure software download site that allows the CTL to track the number of SoftChalk users.
• Paul Hickey installs and maintains the SoftChalk software on all CTL computers.

Project Timeline

• Project was initiated in 2005. Other schools in the district held workshops on this software and several faculty expressed interest in it. The CTL purchased several copies of this software and evaluated it and found that it was an intuitive way for faculty and staff to create well-designed and interactive web content.
• The district negotiated and purchased a district-wide license of SoftChalk in 2006.
• The CTL evaluated the usage of the SoftChalk software after a pilot year and continue to support it's use as the district purchases the license.

Current Status

• The SoftChalk software is purchased by the district and is supported by the CTL. SoftChalk software is available for MCC faculty at http://ctl.mc.maricopa.edu/softsense.

Future Directions

• The CTL will continue to support and promote the use of the SoftChalk software through workshops, one-on-one appointments, and online documentation.
• The CTL will annually evaluate the quality and usage of SoftChalk.

Project Resources

• Staff time has been required to develop and deliver the SoftChalk workshop.
• The CTL purchased several copies of SoftChalk during the pilot year but the district now purchases the license.
• Staff time is required to support instructors using this software.
• Staff time has been required to develop a secure downloading site that also tracks downloads to provide feedback on the usage of SoftChalk.

Project Outcomes

• The SoftChalk software currently is an effective and simple method for faculty and staff to create attractive, well-designed, and interactive web content.