Computer Lab Manager Training Modules - A Useful Resource for Multi-faceted Training

Computer lab managers perform a variety of tasks in their daily work.  In a single day a lab manager could be an instructor, a technician, a supervisor, a planner and a financial manager!  Zambia Pacific Trust recognized the need for lab managers to be trained in all of these different skills...and so began developing a new curriculum.

The Computer Lab Manager Training Course was developed by Zambia Pacific Trust in collaboration with a variety of organizations working on IT related development projects in Zambia.  While these projects are in several different sectors (health, education, agriculture and community), all of the organizations recognized the need to increase the number of people who have training in computers past the standard level of a computer user.  A particular need that was identified was for individuals who could maintain dynamic and well functioning computer labs and other centers for IT use within a particular project.  Therefore, a multi-faceted training course was developed to meet these needs including both the “hard skills” of computer maintenance, repair, and networking and the “soft skills” of management, leadership, communication and instruction.  Readers may find more emphasis shown on educational projects, since that is the area of Zambia Pacific Trust’s experience.  However, most topics discussed apply equally well in the other sectors where IT is used.
 
The resource books for these modules are designed to be used as a part of an instructor-led four module course, with each course including both a distance (online) instruction component and a one week face-to-face workshop.   The four modules are listed below and are available on iConnect-Online.
 
Module 1: Computer Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Repair
Module 2: Management and Leadership
Module 3: Instruction, Facilitating IT Use and IT in Education
Module 4: Networking, Communication and Web 2.0
 
Zambia Pacific Trust has made these materials freely available for anyone who would like to plan and organize a training course.  The target audience for training is adult learners who already have intermediate computer user skills and significant experience using computers.  Ideally, participants are already employed as computer lab managers, computer project coordinators or Internet café managers.  While the course is tailored to those working in educational or community organizations, the course is still valuable for those working in a similar capacity in the private sector.
 
These learning materials are also valuable for people who are not involved in a formal course, but instead are studying independently to become computer lab managers or improve their skills as computer lab managers.  Learners who are using these materials for self study are encouraged to make the training as hands-on as possible, performing as many of the assignments and activities as they can practically achieve.

Click here to view or download the training modules from iConnect Resources.