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Tips for Faculty to Effectively
Integrate a
Technology Mentor into a Course
- Complete the "Mentor/Faculty
Expectations Worksheet" (MSWord
version) 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.
- Create an e-mail distribution list for the class and include
the mentor and LITS Liaison. This will make communications easier
for everyone. You may request such a list via email.
- 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.
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