FREQUENT QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
The DTUI Training Program
How many classmates can I expect to have in a typical DTUI
course?
Our goal is to keep classes to a limit of 15 persons. This will allow for the rich
interactions needed for both learning the materials and personal growth. We anticipate
that participants interested in diversity training will include business managers,
teachers, consultants, professors, grant foundation personnel, community organization
personnel, government personnel, ministers, sales professionals, business trainers, health
care providers, attorneys, and therapists. Americans from different walks of life find it
necessary to develop their intercultural skills for a variety of reasons.
What can I expect to be doing while training as a diversity
specialist?
You can choose to take the entire certification program or only take the courses you
believe you will need. You can also choose a DTUI class or program for diversity training
professionals, if you seek continued education. The typical trainee will develop
competencies in the following areas:
- personal awareness/attitude development
- diversity training concepts, tools, and design
- diversity training skills, professionalism, and ethics
- communication style
- developing a diversity training practice
What do trainees learn to do?
The DTUI goal is to train professionals who can skillfully and ethically train,
consult, coach, and support those seeking to improve their intercultural competence. It is
up to each individual to decide their specialty, if desired, and how the acquired
competencies will be used. Below is a set of things we feel diversity trainers can do with
good training:
Work with organizations that need to harness its diversity or achieve it.
- Coach individuals in intercultural management skills development
- Develop workshops tailored to meet special training objectives
- Help intercultural teams work effectively together.
- Conduct a cultural audit for an organization
- Help organizations adjust to increases in employee diversity
- Enrich personal management skills
- Enrich one's consulting practice
- Help corporations develop strategies to enter the global market
We provide you with a foundation to develop a practice that specializes in one or more
of the above with your DTUI certification.
How does DTUI help me develop diversity training skills?
Technology-based instruction. The 1990s offer the possibility of using new
technologies for learning. Weekly telephone conferencing, or TeleClasses, enable trainees
to interact with faculty members and classmates conveniently. Some will sit in the comfort
of home, others will be in their office, and some may be community from work. Listserve
email group addressing allows participants to continuing the course on-line at their
convenience. Our monthly TeleClass question and answer sessions provide first-hand
experience with the course format.
Homework Assignments. We at DTUI believe homework is essential in developing the
knowledge and skills. We also know that homework does not need to take up a lot of time,
resources, or energy to be effective. DTUI course homework assignments are often
hand-tailored by the trainer and, sometimes done in collaboration with other students. We
often relate the home work problems to everyday concerns to raise curiosity and useful
solutions.
Teaching Manuals. Nothing is more satisfying than knowing what we expect of you
in a course. DTUI provides teaching manuals organized into topics, corresponding
exercises, homework assignments, and reading materials. The manual states competencies and
described what is needed to accomplish. We require trainees to read the materials for the
weekly topic before the corresponding TeleClass.
Reference Materials. The teacher's manual provides references to videos,
training exercises, and supplementary articles. Trainees may find the materials themselves
or buy them from DTUI.
Group Problem-Solving. Group problem-solving is a useful
distance learning technique. It enables trainees to
collaborate in finding solutions to homework problems
and share the presentation of findings. Faculty can
learn about individual trainee interpersonal interaction
strengths and challenges, and trainees have opportunities
to learn about themselves. Problem-solving groups involve
3-4 persons from a course. DTUI holds each trainee responsible
for his or her share of the team responsibilities.
What happens during a typical TeleClass?
The discussion is lively and challenging anytime 5
to 15 people interested in diversity training get together.
An opportunity to develop personally results when the
group is also committed to learning, working together,
and being engaged. We know that participants have a
wealth ofknowledge to share. Faculty try to balance
sharing that knowledge and providing insightful information
related to the topic. Each trainee participates in the
certification training must enroll in the personal development
course each term. The course provides an opportunity
to develop community among trainees starting the training
in the same course group during the training. This is
a discussion course which challenges participants to
develop community as a cohort.
Is Distance Learning Effective?
The results are clear according to the National College
Board. Distance learning is not only effective, but
it is here to stay. In fact, several recent research
publications show that one can learn as much in a distance
learning format as in a traditional classroom. Diversity
training offers a challenge to distance learning because
much of the learning depends on social interactions
among trainees. We have found that group problem-solving,
TeleClasses, and email interactions offer the rich interactions
needed to overcome the weaknesses of software-based-only
distance learning.
What if My Schedule Makes It Difficult to match
the TeleClass times?
We have selected times to coincide with times students,
in our experience, can make themselves available. We
can also offer weekend courses if enough people sign
up.
What if I Cannot Make a Class
Session?
Most TeleClass sessions meet once a week. You must
attend the first. It is possible to miss one next three,
if you must, without losing much ground (and keep up
in the Teaching Manual). You can makeup the session,
if needed, when it offered in another class. Missing
more than two courses can be a problem only if you are
not able to meet competency in the course. Retaking
the part you missed when the course is offered again
is possible.
How Difficult is the Certification
Examination?
Good question. You will need to develop a diversity
training program, use it with a group of participants,
and have them evaluate it. The program can be a workshop,
training system, or workbook, etc. The DTUI Certification
Committee will judge the quality of the training program.
Committee members are chosen among DTUI faculty. The
Committee will also provide each candidate with a set
of study list based on the courses taken. The candidate
will have to show competence on the items in an oral
examination format, and to the satisfaction of the Committee.
No written examination is required unless the candidate
requests it and a localexaminer meeting certain qualifications
is identified.
What Do We Expect of Trainees?
We work with professionals who are honest, goal-oriented,
and dedicated to diversity. We expect the following
from trainees:
- Previous diversity course, seminar, or workshop
participation (Not necessary, but important)
- A desire to contribute to promoting human diversity
- A commitment to life-learning about diversity
- An ability to take risks in personal growth
- An ability to strive for unconditional acceptance
of people who are different from you
- An ability to learn from others
- A commitment to taking the courses and achieving
competency to the best of one's ability.
- An ability to listen to others or the desire to
develop the skill
- An ability to empathize with others or a commitment
to learning how to do so.
- An ability to balance personal needs and those of
clients
We consider these factors in determine the suitability
of trainees for the program. We read applications and
interview each applicant in determining suitability.
An important admission goal is to provide trainees are
assured that classmates can offer them maximum personal
growth opportunity in a supportive environment.
How many people have received
their training from DTUI?
DTUI is a new virtual university which came on line
August 1998. All trainers as of date are considered
new. The program is based on a combination of ideas
from years of diversity training and diversity course
teaching among the faculty. We anticipate growing at
a rapid pace as we are the single existing accessible
program of this type. If the response we have received
from advertising displays at national conferences is
any sign, we will have full courses within the next
few months if not before. Join us and become a part
of the first class of trainees to receive our unique
and high level training.
GO TO:
Top
of Page
Q&A:
What is Diversity Training?
Q&A:
A Historical View of Diversity Training?
Q&A:
How Strong is the Demand for Diversity Trainers?
Q&A:
The Diversity Trainer Profession
Q&A:
The DTUI Training Program
