Interesting Opportunity

Today I had a chance to participate in an ITS meeting sponsored by the PA Dept of Ed. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ITS certificate, its competencies & requirements and how they may need to be "tweaked" given the new assistive guidelines for students with learning disabilities. The bulk of attendees were the higher ed decision makers. the creators of the ITS cert program.

The conversation was rich to say the least! So many "experts" in one room, each one very passionate about their field, methods and procedures. Each one very interested in the role of the ITS: what should be expected of the ITS? And once we determine that, how to train individuals to prepare them to assume the role of an ITS?

At first i was confused...Admittedly, I was the least knowledgeable in the room concerning what the certificate means and how to attain it. First thing I realized was that to enroll in an ITS cert program, you only need an undergrad degree- but the undergrad degree need not be in the realm of education...hmmmm, working in a school, advising educators on how to use technology in their classroom, but no education background. Odd. Now I realize that not all ITS certified people look to be hired in schools...but any role that trains others should have some sort of educational background. One instructional design course is not enough! A course about education principles is a necessity (in my opinion). But that is not the case in reality...

Next lots of discussion centering around what the ITS needs to know. BACK UP...what is an ITS? Is there a consistent definition??? Let's start there. Each institution defines the role differently. How can we determine what an ITS should know if a single definition of what an ITS is cannot be developed? Even if we had that definition, the question of what an ITS should know can be broken down...what should an ITS know to receive the cert. What does an ITS need to know once employed?

lots of thoughts...good, healthy conversation! It was a very enjoyable day. I do not feel like we reached any "answers", at least not in the traditional sense of 2+2=4. But, as with any worthy experience, the process was much more beneficial than the product!!