Vol. 19, No. 12

Nov. 18, 1999

Student Technology Assistant
Program helps faculty

The PRESENT (UD's center for teaching, learning and technology), in collaboration with the Center for Teaching Effectiveness and the Institute for Transforming Undergraduate Education, is repeating the Student Technology Assistant Program during winter and spring 2000. This program provides qualified students an opportunity to work collaboratively with faculty, helping them effectively integrate technology into the curriculum. Although proposals for the use of leading edge technologies will be considered, preference will be given to proposals that seek to effectively integrate existing campus and technological resources into creative and effective teaching and learning strategies. Successful faculty applicants will be assigned a student who may work up to 10 hours per week for a semester. Participating faculty are expected to meet with the PRESENT support staff on a regular basis and meet with the student assistant in a manner that is commensurate with the scope of the project. More demanding projects will require a greater time commitment from faculty. Applications should be sent by e-mail to <janet@udel.edu> by the Nov. 23 deadline. Awards will be made by mid-December. Applications should be brief and answer the following questions: What do you want to do and why? Describe what you want to do. Specify at least one learning goal or principle that will be advanced by the project. Check <http://www.udel. edu/present/ 7p.html> for a matrix of technologies matched to the Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education. State how the project will further the goals for other worthwhile, educational projects under way on campus and how will technology will enable you to do what traditional teaching methodology does not allow. What will be your role and what will be the role of the student worker? Although the student may be involved in some production work (scanning, web page design, PowerPoint animations, etc.), one of the larger goals of this program is for faculty to increase their own skills in applying technology to teaching. Explain how the use of a student fits into an overall plan and helps you overcome barriers that may have been encountered. Explain what you will contribute in terms of time, mentoring and content. How will you know if your project has met your goals? Explain how you will assess the effectiveness of the use of the technology in the specific course. The review application committee includes Janet de Vry, Information Technologies/User Services; Judy Greene, Center for Teaching Effectiveness; George Watson, physics and astronomy; Paul Hyde, Information Technologies/User Services; and John Hall, Information Technologies/User Services.