In the last couple of weeks I’ve spent almost four full work
days doing nothing more than online training for various things. First, I went through
an extensive online study program where I was required to make better than 85%
on numerous quizzes in order to get my certificate, which I’m required to have
in order to chair a big research committee at my work. It is, by the way, a
committee that I have absolutely zero desire to chair.
Next, all Xavier faculty are now required to go through an
online training course on harassment and how to recognize and report it.
Numerous quizzes are found along the way. This one included watching a lot of videos and “what
would you do” scenarios.
Third, our Department is going to start using the Strong Interest
Inventory to help with advising students on career goals. That meant more
study. I ended up taking the test myself as part of this process, and found
that my major interests seem to be artistic ones. If only that darn writing thing would earn me more than pennies on the hour.
Fourth, the faculty were required to watch a rather lengthy
video on what to do in an active shooter situation. The key guidelines appear
to be, run if you can, hide if you can’t run, and fight if you have to. I’m
thinking that’s probably good advice.
The above four things do not include the dozens of surveys I’ve
been sent by either Xavier or other universities wanting my input on all manner
of things. These things don’t just come once, mind you. If you don’t fill them
out you get reminder, after reminder, after reminder.
Although all of these things are worthwhile at some level, I’m
beginning to wonder when I’m supposed to get my regular work done. You know,
that old fashioned thing they call “teaching.” And I’m starting to wonder if I
shouldn’t be compensated for all the added activities that seem to have become
part of my job of late. One of the surveys asked me about my work hours versus leisure hours. I'd have more leisure if it wasn't for all the extra work stuff I'm supposed to do.
Sounds like the Gov't, but in the Gov't nobody knows anything after the training.
ReplyDeleteThat's hilarious! The active shooter video sounds exactly like instructions from a mall cop training manual.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot all at one time.
ReplyDeleteWe've had to do the harassment training, and all because some higher up in the company couldn't control himself.
I hear you about such "required" online courses taking up time! The active shooter situation is sadly needed.
ReplyDeleteYou poor man! That really is cruel but unfortunately no longer unusual
ReplyDeleteI understand the training part, even if it is time consuming but the surveys do they come to you because of your renown in your field or just random generated? Random generated reminders can be just as easily shredded as the rest.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of education--Detroit Public Schools--now not only have $500 million of state incurred debt, brought about by Emergency Managers but are up to 50-60 kids in all k-12 classes. Today they announced a minimum of 20 school closures because of teachers calling in sick. Thoughts?
I feel your pain my friend. Almost every other day an e-mail comes out from our training academy about some kind of semi-mandatory course designed to help you better navigate the myriad of issues that comes with helping children and their families.
ReplyDeleteHR rules the world!
ReplyDeleteI'll leave it at that . . . having had to do much the same . . .
I think this is why "Jeb!" is doing so poorly. He reminds one of a pedantic, chiding HR nightmare.
Oscar Case, now it's spreading to the academic world it seems
ReplyDeleteeric1313, I don't know how much money was spent on the vid but it wasn't the greatest.
Alex, I think a lot of universities are going through this kind of thing now.
Sage, yes, it's unfortunate but true.
Cloudia, that is true.
Mark, with new and continually added restrictions, shortages of supplies and no shortages of students, and pay not keeping up, they are killing education all over the country.
G. B., there's a lot of it out there.
R. T., a big problem is the unprecedented growth in the last ten years of the administrative side of Academia, and all those new hires have got to be given something to do, which means more work for the "soldiers in the trenches," namely the teaching faculty.
Erik, lol. Could be about Jeb.
Before I left my day job (to go full tilt at BTAP) it seemed like every year it was more and more training. Us employees called it CYA for the company.
ReplyDeleteDavid Cranmer, I guess I got spoiled in my early years because we didn't have a lot of it. Now it seems like everyday there is more.
ReplyDeleteCharles, online training (from home, I assume) sounds better than actually attending a course but I can see why it might seem like a needless digression when one can use the time for other important things.
ReplyDeleteWe have lost our way. Few students will profit from online courses. At least students at less than elite institutions.
ReplyDelete"What would you do" scenarios? Are their insurance companies making them do this?
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing no yahoo would see a video of someone grabbing a student's ass and say, "Yes, that's what I'd do!"
Those surveys and harassment class seem like a good basis to use your 'Days of Beer' comedic flair, my friend. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, dear. I'm even feeling a little guilty here since I'm one of those people who create all that online training for others. :) Am sorry you are having to deal with all that extra work. :(
ReplyDeleteSounds like you’ve been through some boring stuff of late. I guess that in Texas, the active shooter scenario would say, “Everyone whip out your guns and blast away.”
ReplyDeleteCharles-what a time suck for you! My niece is a teacher and is expected to do so many things without pay. I don't get it, I've never worked for free in my life and I don't even have a degree!
ReplyDeletePrashant, there is that. I did some of it from home and some from my office at work.
ReplyDeletePatti, the evidence is mounting that they just don't do as much as person to person teaching.
Riot Kitty, they were a bit more subtle than ass grabbing. :)
Bernard, there's a possibility!
RK, I suppose it has a purpose but its just that I've already got much to do.
Snowbrush, maybe so. The training vid would be shorter.
Jodi, its increasingly becoming part of the job for academe