Technicians and Interpersonal Dynamics: Instilling High Touch in High Tech Departments.

The 1990s saw a significant increase in the amount of technology used in the classroom and an increased need for individuals with high-tech skills. However, while this mass technology was being integrated, the human skills of instruction and advisement were being lost. Technology seemed to be negatively influencing the learning process. As a result, colleges have had to address the question of whether or not technology and academic procedures are providing an adequate learning environment. Technology should be used as a complementary part of the educational experience. At Patrick Henry Community College (Virginia), workshops and seminars in the fields of technology and interpersonal relations were scheduled to address this issue. After attending these workshops, faculty have found it easier to confer with one another and plan for better levels of service to customers; faculty are much more able to assist students with problems and questions; and students leave at graduation with credentials, certifications, and a greater knowledge of skills. Students are the direct beneficiaries of these workshops. Employers also benefit by receiving graduates with good interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills. (CJW)