Learning Environment Architecture Development Project
Technical Staff Needs Assessment Summary


TSP survey is conducted annually by IT, and was administered on-line in the summer of 1999. See http://tsp.ucdavis.edu/evaluation/99eval.html for details.


Survey Statistics

Population for survey: 300 individuals (Technology Support Coordinators)
Sample size for survey: 300 individuals
Respondents (Response Rate) 150 (50%)


Support of Faculty

Over half (57%) reported that they provide some technical support to faculty. The 77 respondents who answered this question indicated that their faculty support efforts included showing faculty how to (question asked respondents to check all that apply):

Auto Lists File Transfer Backup Anti-Virus Internet System Commands E-Mail Presentations
44% 73% 78% 77% 92% 69% 81% 64%


Summary of comments (56 people commented):

Though the number of responses is up this year, fewer people seem to be doing comprehensive support ("Anything that a faculty member can dream up is fair game.") Those that are responsible for only specific areas tend to fall under either the traditional technician services of hardware/software troubleshooting and upgrade, or in the increasingly popular web arena. Several commented that their departments are considering hiring additional staff to support web development.

With regard to whether there have been changes in the way they are expected to support faculty in their department this year, an increase in interest in using the web and Powerpoint were the two most frequently cited sources of additional support time. A representative comment: "More like a continuous pressure as faculty are more involved in computer technology. Primarily because the average age of the faculty is going down a bit. Presentations using computers are up. Web based development is up. Looking for ways to use computers to enhance laboratories and/or lectures is up."

Note that over half of the respondents also provide support for from 1 to 30 staff members and students; 26% reported that they provide support for 50 or more staff. This may be the cause of some of the frustration represented in this comment: "For each of the past four years that I have been in this job, the percentage of my time devoted to faculty support has nearly doubled. It seems now that faculty expectations for a reasonable level of support are exceeding what I consider to be reasonable. It would be great if the TSP could help to establish some campus-wide support standards. One idea that I have toyed with is trying to establish a network of students who can help faculty with home computers­with pay, and independent of the university."

The diversity in support needs was also mentioned: "Some faculty want total control, some want someone else to provide all the know-how and effort and some want something in between. Recently there is also a bit of a 'technology for technology's sake' mentality in some presentation and other technologies. Many times the faculty are not really clear on what they want either."


Computing Platforms in use

Almost three-fourths of those responding indicated that their department uses at least one Macintosh computer. Forty-one percent reported that they support at least 1 Unix machine.


Supporting web sites and web page creation

Of the 58 people responding, about half reported at least some involvement with faculty web pages, which is somewhat lower than last year. The number of responses naming someone else in the department or an outside department is up in compensation, however. Many mentioned student assistants as web developers, with caveats about consistency and successful completion. However, about the same percentage said faculty members have no one at all to help.

Respondents suggested the following ways in which the Technology Support Program could help Technology Support Coordinators who assist faculty with their web pages:


INITIAL EFFORTS & ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS NECESSARY

The following issues need to be addressed and resolved through the Technology Support Program and consultation with the Technical Leads for schools and colleges.