Staff Training and Development A Personal Perspective Alan McLennan Flinders University School of Biological Sciences

Background Working at Flinders University, School of Biological Sciences for 9 years Working at Flinders University, School of Biological 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 4 years Studying at Flinders for the last 4 years Field of study:- BA majoring in Geography, specialising in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Spatial Statistics/Modelling Field of study:- BA majoring in Geography, specialising in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Spatial Statistics/Modelling Submitted my last assignment yesterday Submitted my last assignment yesterday

What training options are available? The staff training and development unit does offer a range of short courses available to all staff The staff training and development unit does offer a range of short courses available to all staff Are there any specific to technical staff? Are there any specific to technical staff? Maybe. Courses are broadly structured to cater for a range of staff Maybe. Courses are broadly structured to cater for a range of staff

Introduction to Meetingmaker Introduction to Meetingmaker Project Management Project Management Applying for Animal Ethics Approval Applying for Animal Ethics Approval Time Management – 10 tips Time Management – 10 tips Introduction to SPSS Introduction to SPSS Intermediate SPSS Intermediate SPSS Using Dreamweaver to Maintain Websites Using Dreamweaver to Maintain Websites Introduction to Excel – Entering and Formatting Data Introduction to Excel – Entering and Formatting Data Using Formulas and Functions in Excel Using Formulas and Functions in Excel Managing Long Documents in Word Managing Long Documents in Word Overview to Endnote Overview to Endnote Project Management Project Management

Introduction to PowerPoint Introduction to PowerPoint Introduction to qualitative research methods Introduction to qualitative research methods Introduction to Word – Formatting text Introduction to Word – Formatting text Overview of NVivo Overview of NVivo Computer Maintenance Computer Maintenance Formatting Documents using Styles in Word Formatting Documents using Styles in Word Relational Data Bases Relational Data Bases Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Questionnaires and Questionnaire Design Questionnaires and Questionnaire Design Using Electronic Journals for Academic Research Using Electronic Journals for Academic Research Approaches to qualitative data analysis Approaches to qualitative data analysis Electrical Safety Testing Part I & II Electrical Safety Testing Part I & II Train the Trainer Train the Trainer

However, many aimed at academic and administrative staff, and postgraduate studentsHowever, many aimed at academic and administrative staff, and postgraduate students I examined options of fields of study that would be of benefit at a personal and professional levelI examined options of fields of study that would be of benefit at a personal and professional level I then investigated the level of support I would receive from the Staff Training and Development Unit and my supervisorI then investigated the level of support I would receive from the Staff Training and Development Unit and my supervisor

How do I study while at work? Flinders Staff Training and Development Unit Flinders Staff Training and Development Unit –Assists staff in pursuing tertiary study while working at Flinders University –Pays all fees (excepting HECS) –In conjunction with supervisor, allows staff the flexibility of up to 6 hours per week for attending formal contact hours (lectures and tutorials) My average study leave from work over 4 years:- 4 hours per week per semester My average study leave from work over 4 years:- 4 hours per week per semester

Why study? Expand skill base Expand skill base Personal interest Personal interest Other employment options, both within and outside the university environment Other employment options, both within and outside the university environment New focus at work New focus at work Motivation (personal and professional) Motivation (personal and professional) NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM MY SUPERVISORS AND THE STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM MY SUPERVISORS AND THE STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT

Is part time study difficult? In short, YES In short, YES Study is difficult, but rewarding Study is difficult, but rewarding I have a young family, and my study has had minimal impact on family life (I think!) I have a young family, and my study has had minimal impact on family life (I think!) I have adapted to a nocturnal study routine that allows time for children on weekends I have adapted to a nocturnal study routine that allows time for children on weekends

Does my employer support me? YES. Fortunately I am very lucky YES. Fortunately I am very lucky My direct supervisor can see the long term benefits – for myself and the School, and has been very supportive My direct supervisor can see the long term benefits – for myself and the School, and has been very supportive My time off work has had minimal (or no) impact on my day to day tasks My time off work has had minimal (or no) impact on my day to day tasks

Are others in my area studying? Yes. I am not the only staff member in my section studying. I was also not the first. Yes. I am not the only staff member in my section studying. I was also not the first. I would probably not be studying if other staff members had not been doing it either (including my supervisor) I would probably not be studying if other staff members had not been doing it either (including my supervisor)

Why did I choose Geography? I can see the increasing use of GIS in our School alone, with increasing use in Archaeology, Social Sciences and Earth Sciences at Flinders University I can see the increasing use of GIS in our School alone, with increasing use in Archaeology, Social Sciences and Earth Sciences at Flinders University Spatial statistics is becoming increasingly important in the environmental sciences Spatial statistics is becoming increasingly important in the environmental sciences Presently in Biological Sciences, there is no resident ‘expert’ in GIS (not that I am an expert) Presently in Biological Sciences, there is no resident ‘expert’ in GIS (not that I am an expert) Future opportunity? I believe so. Future opportunity? I believe so.