A definite favorite. Got slightly off-topic on occasion, but notes were handed out at the beginning for reference. The group was mostly trainers and instructional designers, and the presenters were responsible for training roughly 600 instructors across a 7-school system. 8 main people are responsible for training colleagues, who then mentor and train "eRookies".

The schools get together once or twice a year for a mini-conference (much like our PDS sessions for Fall and Spring) where new technologies and policies are discussed, and where staff from the Library, Bookstore, and Student Services present to all faculty. They also have a Show & Tell of Exceptional Instructors, where innovations and new ideas that instructors have implemented in their courses are presented by the instructor. They also hold another conference just for 'eRookies' in which specific software training and discussion is gone over and questions can be answered.

Lunchtime sessions are also not uncommon, and incentives are offered.

Where they started?

1. Assessed the need at the college for faculty development.
2. Sought funding -- including more staff.
3. Set goals and objectives and assessed the success of the program.