Re: Starting a WC

[Jim Bell <jimb@unbc.edu>]

When I started this WC two years ago, I did 47 things at once, mainly 
excited to be able to work with and help students. As I head into the 
third year, I wish I'd paid more attention to two things in start-up.

1. I wish I'd got the computers, software, and data base stuff organized. 
It was impossible. But still, I now have handouts on floppies for 
computers which don't exist anymore, and so on. Once things get hectic, 
efficient retrieval of data is crucial. A good data base (we now use 
Access customized for us) lets you start evaluating and justifying the WC 
asap.

2. I wish I'd spent more time planning tutor training. It worked 
beautifully the first semester, but it was clearly not designed for the 
long-term. Only this summer have I had time to think through tutor 
training (still not as thoroughly as it deserves). But that means I've 
done four versions of tutor training, a different one each 
semesterŅinteresting but time-consuming.

The one thing I'm most glad I did: When my boss came to me and said,"I 
know you're doing three full-time jobs, but you just have to take on a 
fourth", I said no, 60-80 hours a week of frantic work was all I would do 
and all I could do if I was to maintain moderate quality.

Enjoy!

Jim Bell				Ph. (604) 960-6365
Learning Skills Centre			Fax (604) 960-6330
University of Northern BC		email jimb@unbc.edu
3333 University Way
Prince George, BC
Canada  V2N 4Z9                    =====-=-====-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=