Program Development
The Desktop & Web Publishing Workshops Program has grown incrementally since the Fall 2004, beginning with an in-class 'Multimedia' program designed to train students in more than just the basic Microsoft® Office® applications.
Both businesses and students were asking for training that would allow them to work in the modern small business environment, where employees are most often required to perform a multitude of functions, including email, letter-writing, form design, basic promotional flyers, simple web page updates, posters, etc.
A survey was distributed to a large number of small businesses, asking for input into the specific skills they would like to see in employees applying to work in their offices.
The Desktop & Web Publishing Workshops Program was designed to meet the needs that came out of this survey, including the requirement for new employees to have some basic desktopping skills, the ability to perform straightforward web updates, a good knowledge of the use of pdf files, some basic graphic design capabilities, and a basic knowledge of working with digital images.
Key considerations in developing the program were content quality and comprehensiveness, relevancy, flexibility, cost, duration, and instructor qualifications.
After two in-class run-thoughs of this program, and several tweaks to program content and format, as well as a comprehensive review by Vancouver Island University's Education Council/Curriculum Committee, the program has evolved into a full-fledged online program offered part-time, allowing professionals and those with other responsibilities and location constraints a flexible learning opportunity.
The Desktop & Web Publishing Workshops are continually under review to ensure currency and relevancy. We strive to continue to fine-tune this program into the best online training program we can offer.