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:
We provide
you with a foundation to develop a practice that specializes in
one or more of the above with your DTUI certification.
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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.
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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.
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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:
