Learning resource services at James Rumsey Technical Institute Education (JRTI) provide students with current, comprehensive information related to the area of training. The accessibility provides students with opportunities that intensify the quality of instruction and support the overall mission of the JRTI. Individuals learn in a variety of ways; therefore, a multimedia approach is effective in providing learning experiences for students.
JRTI provides diverse educational resources to support each instructional department. The educational resource materials are current and available for use by the students and the faculty. These resources provide support to each instructional program in the classroom and lab environment. These materials include print and online periodicals; business, professional, and technical reference manuals; audiovisuals; instructional DVDs/CDs, and realia.
Computers and program-related software are also available. Internet access is available in classrooms. Dedicated, fixed computers are located in the classrooms, and mobile labs are also available when needed.
Every postsecondary program classroom has Internet access for research and learning activities as well as access to either desktop or laptop computers.
Postsecondary faculty and students have access to the Jill S. Weekley Learning Center every day from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Because of ongoing classes held in the learning center, instructors who send students to the learning center are required to make an appointment to use the center’s facilities and equipment.
Provisions for media services support are provided in the annual budget of each program. Instructors may request media resources as needed. The postsecondary assistant principal and the director/principal approve all media resources and equipment purchases. In addition to state funding, instructors are encouraged to apply for matching grant opportunities to purchase resources that will enhance learning experiences.
The effectiveness of media resources is measured using instructors’ and students’ evaluations of instruction. The faculty and program advisory committees review the learning resources and suggest purchases as necessary.
JRTI uses a multi-media learning approach in providing educational services that includes the acquisition and installation of appropriate equipment and resources to meet evolving career-related skills. To address this approach, instructors diligently research their respective career fields and pedagogy to provide the equipment and materials that will most effectively address course content. Instructors and occupational advisory committee members evaluate technological updates, industry trends, and employer training requirements so that outstanding instruction, skill-based educational opportunities are maintained for all JRTI students.
Goals and Objectives
- To provide and organize materials and resources for the instructional programs.
- To provide adequate physical facilities for media services.
- To provide adequate access for both students and faculty to media services.
- To provide, as needed, in-service training for faculty using media services.
Activities to Achieve the Objectives
The availability of use of media resources is discussed with students during program orientations. Instructors also orient students to media and equipment on an as-needed basis within the course syllabus. Instructors may request orientation to new media and equipment from vendors or other faculty members who are knowledgeable about specific media resources. In West Virginia, instructors who choose to apply and are subsequently selected receive year-long training to become technology integration specialists (TIS). Postsecondary faculty includes one TIS. Students are advised not to use new or unfamiliar equipment or supplies without seeking assistance from their instructor.
Every postsecondary program classroom has Internet access for research and learning activities as well as access to either desktop or laptop computers.
Postsecondary faculty and students have access to the Jill S. Weekley Learning Center every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Because of ongoing learning center classes, instructors make appointments for their classes to use facilities and equipment that may not have in their classroom or lab and/or shop areas.
Personnel Responsible for Overseeing the Plan
The professional staff person responsible for the implementation and coordination of the Media Services Plan is the Director/Principal.
DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL
- Review and approve relevant funding requisitions as funding permits.
- Designate individual responsible for updating and maintaining inventory listing.
- Assign professional staff person as designee.
Instructors
- Request and maintain equipment and supplies required for their respective programs
- Supervise and administer program resource centers.
- Review professional literature, trade journals, and literature provided by various companies to become aware of new items available.
- Visit industrial sites; attend conference/workshop exhibits and presentations.
Information Technology Focus Team
- Maintain computerized listing of learning resource materials on campus.
- Provide listing to individual instructors and administrative office.
- Request periodic updates from individual instructors on additions and deletions in learning resources available in department.
- Provide addendum to learning resources inventory listings as needed.
Review, Evaluation, and Revisions
The Media Resources Plan is reviewed and evaluated by both the Administrative Council and the Faculty Senate. Suggestions/ideas are discussed, and revisions are made accordingly.
The effectiveness of media resources is measured using instructors’ and students’ evaluations of instruction. The faculty and program advisory committees review the learning resources and suggest purchases as necessary.
JRTI uses a multi-media learning approach in providing educational services that includes the acquisition and installation of appropriate equipment and resources to meet evolving career-related skills. To address this approach, instructors diligently research their respective career fields and pedagogy to provide the equipment and materials that will most effectively address course content. Instructors and occupational advisory committee members evaluate technological updates, industry trends, and employer training requirements so that outstanding instruction, skill-based educational opportunities are maintained for all.
Senior Director
- Review and approve relevant requisitions as funding permits.
- Provide adequate funding, within budgetary limitations, for media resources.
- Check for any priority requirements.
- Assign accountant to keep instructors aware of subscription notices and to request requisitions as notices are received.
- Review all acquisitions for books, equipment, and material related to resource media.
- Designate individual responsible for updating and maintaining inventory listing.
- Assign professional staff as designee.
- Instructors prepare their learning resources inventory and make available to the designee.
- Remind instructors to keep learning resources inventory lists in department updated.
Instructors
- Request and maintain equipment and supplies required for the program media resource center.
- Keep all resource media equipment in working order.
- Submit repair requests for computer related issues to contracted computer maintenance personnel.
- Keep appropriate professional journals and magazines on hand (either print or electronic), requesting additional titles when needed.
- Make notations of additions to program learning resources on instructor’s inventory copy for updating of inventory list.
- Review professional literature, trade journals, and literature provided by various companies to determine new items available.
- Request professional magazines relevant to the program.
- Request literature relevant to material taught within the department that might offer additional assistance to students.
- Submit requisition for magazine orders to postsecondary assistant principal for approval to order.
- Make industrial visits; attend conference/workshop exhibits and presentations.
- Make at least two industrial visits per year, speaking with employees to determine new publications and/or equipment in use in industry.
- Inquire about industry changes from sales personnel.
- View exhibits at conferences and workshops, when available.
- Request complimentary copies of new publications.
- Request information on media resources from the advisory committee members in meetings.
- Discuss media resources with occupational advisory committee members.
- Discuss industry changes with advisory committee members.