DoIT provides students training in software

In professional degree programs across campus, professors work to impart the theory and practice of a given profession to their students. For many professions, skill with information technology is key to successful practice. Nowhere is this truer than in the School of Library and Information Studies.

Assistant Professor Kristin Eschenfelder and her SLIS colleagues train students to organize and manage information. The principles learned extend to any setting, whether a library, business environment or government agency. In a digital world, however, implementing those principles depends on knowledge of certain software.

To get students up to speed, Eschenfelder, a specialist in social impacts of information technology and information policy, has used the free in-class services of Software Training for Students offered by the Division of Information Technology.

Student trainers have taught Microsoft Access to her database design class and Macromedia’s Dreamweaver to her information architecture class. Eschenfelder meets with the trainers to review her objectives and customize the training.

“Database design is a theoretical class. Yet the database software is essential for seeing the theory in action,” Eschenfelder says.

Another benefit of having STS trainers in the class is “it piques students’ curiosity,” she says. “They become open to learning other new skills outside the classroom, and self-directed learning is so critical in today’s academic and business environment.”

Interested instructors can fill out a preliminary form at http://www.doit.wisc. edu/training/student/main/faculty_ requestform.asp or e-mail sts@doit.wisc.edu.