Tips for Integrating Tech Mentors

• Complete the Mentor/Faculty Expectations Worksheet (PDF) with the technology mentor as early as possible; revisit it midsemester to gauge how things are going.
  
• Include a statement in your syllabus introducing the technology mentor and articulating your expectations for how she will interact with the class.
  
• Introduce the technology mentor the first day of class; consider assigning her a role or task very early on to foster engagement (ex: a 'show and tell' on tech tools that might be employed throughout the semester).
  
• The mentor should attend a portion of the class weekly, if attendance at 100% of class time is not possible; this will not only allow her to gain an understanding of how technology related projects fit within the context of the class, but will also foster casual contact with the students.
  
• Consider requiring students (or a project representative for groupwork) to meet with the technology mentor in the early stages of an assignment -- the mentor will be able to help the students brainstorm about possibilities and also gauge feasibility.
  
• Consider creating an ella site for the course and include the mentor and LITS Liaison. The annoucement and calendaring tools can make communications easier for everyone.
  
• Encourage students to plan, plan, plan! for technology-related projects; most of these types of projects can not be done well at the last minute.
  
• Establish a regular meeting time with the technology mentor-- and stick to it as much as possible. Regular, reliable communication is important for the mentor to stay abreast of your teaching goals and expectations.
  
• Meet early on and then regularly with the LITS Liaison assigned to the course. S/he expects to monitor the technology needs of the course and ensure that the technology mentor has the training and support necessary. S/he can also serve as a touchstone for how technology projects are meeting your educational objectives.
  
• Try something new! You now have a whole LITS team of multiple perspectives and skill sets supporting your explorations of technology within a course.