HR Home >> Training >> L&OD Home >> FAQs >> Workshops and Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS

Computer Workshops

• I just have a few questions about how to use certain features of Word/ Excel/ Access (etc.), and I don't really need an entire workshop. Can you help me?
  
  
• Most of your Microsoft Office workshops are in version 2003, and you have no MAC workshops. I use an earlier version of Microsoft Office [or] I am on a MAC. Can I still get the same benefit from your workshops? Is there much difference in the software?
  
  
• There is a software program I want to learn, but I do not see it on your workshop schedule. Will you be adding this workshop to your calendar?
  
  
• I took a computer workshop a few months ago, but I haven't had the opportunity to use the software in my job yet. Now the project work is starting up, and I need to use the software, but I don't remember much of the instruction. Can you help?

Management Development Workshops

• I heard about a three-day management training program you offer, but I do not see it in your workshop listings. How do I get more information or sign up?

Work Skills Development Workshops

• After I complete the Notary Public workshop, will I be a Notary Public?

SAP R/3 Workshops

• Can you tell me which SAP R/3 workshops are coming up and what order I should take them in? The R/3 workshops aren't listed at your website - can you enroll me? Can you reschedule the R/3 workshop I am registered for?

Miscellaneous Workshops

• I heard about a work/study program for employees where participants took workshops for part of the week and worked the rest. Is this still available?
  
  
• Some workshops are held at your location, but they are not listed at your web site, you do not handle registrations for them, and you do not have details about the workshops. Why?

Workshop Logistics

• How long is the lunchbreak during your full-day workshops? Are lunches provided - where can I get food? May I eat lunch during noontime seminars? Do half-day workshops have any breaks?
  
  
• I have another commitment at lunchtime [or] I have to leave early because of prior commitment. How will this affect my participation in the workshop?

Career Counseling

• I need some career counseling and would like talk with someone.

I just have a few questions about how to use certain features of Word/ Excel/ Access (etc.), and I don't really need an entire workshop. Can you help me?

Many departments and schools have a designated computer support person or team. These folks should be your first resource for software questions. Please also see the partial listing of various Help Desk resources around Duke at our Other Training Resources webpage.

If you have taken workshops with us, you are welcome to call and speak with our computer technology trainer about material covered in your class
(613-7616). We are glad to spend a few minutes clarifying material or coaching you through an operation.

There are over 25,000 employees at Duke across the University and Health System. Because we have just one computer technology trainer on staff who is frequently leading workshops, we are compelled to limit the amount of time and support he can provide over the telephone.

• If you have not taken a workshop with us and have questions, we recommend you register for a workshop or talk with us about an individual coaching session.
• If you have attended a workshop, but you have questions about more advanced features not covered in your class or about different software, again we recommend you register for a workshop or talk with us about an individual coaching session.
• However, if you are in a bind, up against a deadline, etc., and cannot get your questions answered from other sources, you may call us, and we will do our best to help.

Return to top

Most of your Microsoft Office workshops are in version 2003, and you have no MAC workshops. I use an earlier version of Microsoft Office [or] I am on a MAC. Can I still get the same benefit from your workshops? Is there much difference in the software?

• The differences between the 2000, 2002, and 2003-XP versions of Word, Excel,and Access are relatively minor. Likewise, the differences between PC and Mac platforms for these programs are also minor. Please let your instructor know if you use a version other than 2003-XP on PC, and he or she will point out differences to look for.
• There were significant changes between the 2000 and 2002 versions of Powerpoint. Changes from 2002 to 2003-XP were relatively minor. If you still use version 2000, we do not recommend taking our workshop for 2003-XP.
• Microsoft Office Suite version 2007 has major changes. Most Duke offices have not converted yet, but if you have, we do not recommend that you take our 2003-XP workshops. We are looking at offering workshops for version 2007 beginning in the period from July-December, 2008.

Return to top

There is a software program our department uses that I need to learn, but I do not see it on your workshop schedule. Will you be adding this workshop to your calendar?

We strive to offer workshops in the most recent versions of the most popular and robust software programs. If there is software you would like to learn that is not on our schedule, please call us at 613-7617. Our Technology Team will evaluate the program and make a determination about adding a workshop to our calendar.

Return to top

I took a computer workshop a few months ago, but I haven't had the opportunity to use the software in my job yet. Now the project work is starting up, and I need to use the software, but I don't remember much of the instruction. Can you help?

You may re-take a computer workshop within six months of your original class date at no additional charge. Please register by completing a hard copy registration form, since the online registration system will require payment. On the form, leave payment and fee information blank, and just write the word "refresher" in that general area and circle it. When you retake the class, please bring the software manual you were already provided. This "no-charge refresher" policy only applies to workshops you have attended at least in part, not to workshops missed.

Return to top

I heard about a three-day management training program you offer, but I do not see it in your workshop listings. How do I get more information or sign up?

L&OD has a three-day management training program that prepares and equips University and DUHS managers to meet changing strategic, operational and work culture objectives through effective managerial practices. This is not an open-enrollment workshop; Duke entities arrange with L&OD to customize and deliver a program for a specific group of managers. Please see additional information at Guide to Managing at Duke.

Return to top

After I complete the Notary Public workshop, will I be a Notary Public?

No. This workshop meets the six-hour classroom instruction requirement for becoming a Notary Public, however it is only one part of the process. For a listing of the entire process of becoming a Notary, please go to the workshop description for Notary Public, and then click on the hyperlinked title, or go directly to: http://www.hr.duke.edu/train/d_notary_public.htm

Return to top

Can you tell me which SAP R/3 workshops are coming up and what order I should take them in? The R/3 workshops aren't listed at your website - can you enroll me? Can you reschedule the R/3 workshop I am registered for?

The Administrative Systems Management Group in Financial Services designs, schedules and conducts the R/3 workshops and manages all aspects of R/3 workshop registration. We here at L&OD only provide a computer lab for these trainings. For all questions about R/3 training, please contact the Administrative Systems Management Group directly:

   668-0800
   r-3@duke.edu
   http://www.finsvc.duke.edu/sapr3/Training/

Return to top

I heard about a work/study program for employees where participants took workshops for part of the week and worked the rest. Is this still available?

In the late 1990's, there were three separate training programs at Duke designed to help employees both advance their careers and fill critical positions. These were called the Hospital Career Development program (HCD), the Critical Needs Job Training program (CNJT), and the Mobility Program. Work/study was a feature of these programs.

In 2001, Duke Human Resources formed the Professional Development Institute (PDI) to update and redesign these career-focussed programs. PDI has since rolled out programs for Office Staff Development and for First Time Supervisors. For more information about PDI programs and services, please contact them at:

   684-5406
   pdi@mc.duke.edu
   http://www.hr.duke.edu/pdi/

Return to top

Some workshops are held at your location, but they are not listed at your web site, you do not handle registrations for them, and you do not have details about the workshops. Why?

Other Duke entities may rent our conference rooms and computer labs to hold classes for the University community or for their own staff. When one of these reservations is made, we typically have only date and time information along with a contact name.

Please click this link for Duke Systems workshops contact information.

Please see our Facility Reservations page for information about renting conference or computer lab space at Learning and Organization Development.

Return to top

How long is the lunchbreak during your full-day workshops? Are lunches provided - where can I get food? May I eat lunch during noontime seminars? Do half-day workshops have any breaks?

• Half-day workshops taught by L&OD usually have a 15 minute break about halfway through the session.
• Full-day workshops taught by L&OD usually have a 15 minute break in the morning and in the afternoon. An hour-long lunch break usually starts around noon, depending on where the instructor is with the material.
• Lunch is not provided. Snack and beverage vending machines are available. A refrigerator and microwave are also available for those who prefer to bring their own food. Complimentary, self-serve coffee and tea are provided. 9th Street restaurants and Whole Foods are a two-minute drive/ ten-minute walk away. The fast food chain restaurants on Hillsborough Road are about a ten-minute drive away.
• We encourage you to bring your lunch and eat during any seminars and programs offered over the lunch hour (OIE programs in particular).

Return to top

I have another commitment at lunchtime [or] I have to leave early because of prior commitment. How will this affect my participation in the workshop?

Please check with your instructor before the workshop begins so that he or she knows that you have to leave at a certain time or that you may be delayed returning. Generally, for L&OD-led workshops, being absent up to 30 minutes from a full-day workshop, or 15 minutes from a half-day workshop, will not reduce the benefit of the class significantly.

Absences lasting longer than 30/15 minutes can affect the benefit you receive from the workshop. It will be up to the instructor's discretion whether or not to issue a certificate of completion to you. You may return within six months to retake part or all of the workshop at no extra cost. Please click here for more details.

Return to top

I need some career counseling and would like talk with someone.

L&OD does not offer individual career counseling. However, we do offer a one-day workshop that provides skills and training to help employees develop their own Individual Development Plans.

The Professional Development Institute (another division of Human Resources) does offer individual career counseling, and can assist employees who want to re-evaluate or change their careers, or just explore other options. PDI has a Resource Center with information, materials, and a computer kiosk; and specialists are also available to meet with you. For more information, please contact them at:

   684-5406
   pdi@mc.duke.edu
   http://www.hr.duke.edu/pdi/

Return to top

Back to Top