| Informal
User Training (IUT) as a Panacea for Administrator Overstress in a
University Network -- An Administrator's Experience by Mrs. M. Ojebode, University of Ibadan Administrator's overstress is a common phenomenon in both corporate and academic network in Nigeria. This problem, especially in the University, is caused by 3 major factors--poor networking which leads to frequent loss of signals; low proficiency on the part of the users, and assignment of too many terminals to a network administrator. Each of these three exerts undue pressure on the administrator and causes her to be overworked.
In our university (University of Ibadan), many lecturers are yet to be
proficient in the use of computers. As a result, the network administrator
is called upon for every little hitch, some of which are caused by the
users' mistakes or lack of proficiency. The logical way out is to organise
a formal, thorough workshop for users. But my experience and interaction
with lecturers show that they are hardly available for workshops
especially if it costs money. The only way out is Informal User Training (IUT).
IUT is the art and practice of explaining to and instructing users in
their offices in the course of their normal duties and as they used their
systems.
This paper discusses some recurrent problems I encounter, how I use IUT to solve them and forestall their recurrence. I also discuss the problems I face as I use IUT on a daily basis.
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