Optimal professional development ICT training initiatives at flagship universities

Area of Science:

• Educational Technology
• Higher Education Administration
• Human Resource Development

Background:

• Professional development centers at flagship universities are crucial for faculty and staff growth.
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays an increasingly vital role in delivering these development programs.
• Understanding current ICT practices and their effectiveness is essential for continuous improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore best practices and the role of ICT in professional development centers at 16 flagship universities.
• To identify strengths and weaknesses of current technology training initiatives within these centers.
• To analyze ICT practices through the lens of human resource theory.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative case study design was adopted for an in-depth exploration.
• Data was collected from leaders of professional development centers at selected flagship universities.
• Analysis included a critical examination of ICT practices using human resource theory.

Main Results:

• Common successes in ICT practices were identified, including effective delivery mediums, services, ideas, and goals.
• Significant barriers to implementing ICT training initiatives were also found.
• Variations in ICT adoption and effectiveness exist across different centers.

Conclusions:

• Professional development centers face both facilitators and barriers in their ICT practices.
• Optimal ICT initiatives require strategic planning and support from various stakeholders.
• Recommendations are provided for leaders, administrators, and policymakers to enhance professional development through ICT.