Priority

Recommendation

Justification

1

Technology training should be incorporated into future interpretation courses.

Results of both focus groups and the professional survey.  Students liked the training experience, and professionals believed the technology skills were important.

1

Purchase more computers for the interpretation computer lab.

Results of lab analysis and desktop publishing focus groups.  Hands-on experiences are essential for effective training.

1

Continue to use tutorials as an instruction method.

Results of both focus groups.  Students commented frequently about the effectiveness of the tutorials.

1

Digital presentation training should continue to be taught with take-home tutorials, and desktop publishing with instructor-led lab sessions.

Results of both focus groups.  The chosen instruction methods were effective for student learning.

1

Develop a more comprehensive desktop publishing training, with more skill development and reinforcement.

Results of professional survey and desktop publishing focus group.  Overwhelmingly, page layout and graphic design were the most important interpretive technology skills.

1

Require students to have competencies in basic computer skills.

Results of professional survey.  Basic computing skills are essential for success in nearly any profession.

1

Emphasize to students that technology is only a tool.

Results of professional survey.  This was the most discussed concern in the survey.

1

Teach students more traditional methods of technology, especially the use of 33mm slides.

Results of digital presentation focus group and professional surveys.  Many interpretive sites still do not have access to more advanced technology.

1

Develop a more comprehensive training about digital images.

Students in both focus groups did not understand basic digital image concepts. 

1

Incorporate brochure and pamphlet design into the technology training.

Results of desktop publishing focus group.  This is an essential skill for interpreters.

2

Incorporate web site design skills into the technology training.

Results of professional surveys.  A large percentage of participants believed that these are important skills to possess.

2

Create a colored tutorial lab manual for students to purchase.

Results of both focus groups.  Also essential to offset the costs of printing.

2

Extend the hours of the Interpretation Computer Lab.

Results of desktop publishing focus group.  Current hours do not fit well in student schedules. 

2

Continue to provide students with real hands-on projects.

Results of professional survey.

2

Continue to teach basic design elements.

Results of professional survey.

2

Continue to train students in using technology equipment.

Results of professional survey.  The majority of participating sites did have access to advanced technology.

3

Encourage more use of the Interpretation Computer Lab.

Results of lab analysis.  Most students currently use the lab just for assignments in the interpretation courses.

3

Purchase more high-speed flatbed scanners for the Interpretation Computer Lab.

Results of lab analysis.  Would reduce current bottlenecks with only one computer hooked up to a scanner.

3

Purchase video editing equipment and software.

Results of lab analysis and digital presentation focus group.  Could be used to dramatically enhance programs.

3

Develop a more comprehensive training in digital video and sound.

Results of digital presentation focus group.  Could be used to enhance programs, but students do not understand basic concepts.

3

Microsoft Publisher should be taught as a lab session, not as a lecture.

Results of desktop publishing focus group.  Lecture was not conducive to learning.

3

Set the lab session times before classes begin to avoid schedule conflicts.

Results of desktop publishing focus group.  This frustrated some students.

3

Incorporate database and mapping software skills.

Results of professional survey.   Many interpreters believed these skills were important.

3

Concentrate less focus on digital presentations.

Results of professional survey.  Still some disagreement about the future of illustrated talks.