Several campus locations such as Balfour Hood and the library have recently added life-size cutouts that feature well-known characters such as Dumbledore, Austin Powers and the cast of the Big Bang Theory. These advertise Atomic Learning or AL, which is the name of Wheaton’s online training provider.
Director of Technology, Sue Morgado, said that AL provides access to skills dealing with careers, working well with others, solving problems, critical thinking, decision-making, attitude, professionalism and communication.
AL is accessible at any time and includes trainings on a variety of skills such as:
- Application trainings: Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe InDesign.
- Soft skills: Customer service, communications, decision making.
- Compliance trainings
- Technical skills: Coding, Apple tips and tricks, social media.
- Safe computing: safety on the Internet.
Since the fall of 2014, this free resource has been available to everyone with Wheaton credentials and is accessible from any computer or handheld device, like a smartphone or a tablet. Morgado stated that there were currently over 1,500 active accounts that have participated in over 1600 training sessions.
On the mysterious cutouts seen around campus, Morgado said, “Well… we wanted to get your attention and it looks like we did. Since their appearance about one week ago, four new student accounts and four new staff accounts were activated. I have seen lots of “selfies” taken with our “guests” so they are a hit!”
Morgado added, “At the same time we are reminding folks that free access to AL is here and that people should check it out. My staff in Tech Support are getting a kick out of watching the cutouts move magically around campus. We hope we don’t see any of them sailing in the Head of the Peacock regatta!! They would turn into pond soup real fast!”
Morgado also said, “AL has a variety of technical and soft skills trainings that can help build your resume after graduation. Technical skills are those you need to do your job, but soft skills are imperative for you to be successful in your job and in your career. Let AL help you!”
Those interested in learning more about this are urged to visit the Atomic Learning page on the college website or email support@wheatoncollege.edu.