Interaction
Face to Face
The ST program values personal, face-to-face interaction as well as electronically linked collaboration. Three main types of interactions occur within the ST program:
- ST to Faculty
- ST to Coordinator
- ST to ST
Most projects involve a combination of all three types. However, an individual analysis of each is useful in outlining the general atmosphere and direction of the program.
ST helping faculty members
Although the scope of ST work extends across the campus, most of our work gets done in BA-2W. ST's visit faculty and staff around the campus to serve them on site. In the lab, ST's interact with faculty on a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:
- writing code for tests and worksheets
- developing web sites
- training faculty on new technologies during the development of online courses
- training for new applications
- scanning and editing documents
- brainstorming new and innovative ideas for integrating technology and education
A prerequisite for attaining an ST position is general familiarity with these tasks, and the ability to cordially and effectively communicate with the faculty. However, the purpose of the program is not to have ST's do all the work; the environment stresses cooperation and the sharing of information and experience between all those involved. For example, ST's share information with teachers, who put it to use in the educational realm. The teachers give ST's experience, allowing them to work with real clients to accomplish goals that are put to work immediately upon completion in a dynamic academic environment. This further allows ST's to put their skills to the test as they learn to deal with post-production issues. So it would be safe to say that the ST program is of great utility to both the faculty as a personally interactive support team and the ST's as a test bed for skill sets.
STs Learn Together
Due to the centralized nature of the ST program, the participants have the unique opportunity to learn from each other, with successes and failures included. The environment tends to be very open and allows for an easy flow of knowledge. Many different paths of expertise are currently under exploration in the lab, including:
- Software development
- Graphic/Web design
- Server administration/Networking
Due to this broad coverage of knowledge areas, the ST's obtain a unique educational experience. They draw on as many technologies as they seek out. Not only do the ST's have the internet at their fingertips, but more importantly, they have the collective knowledge base of a diverse group of technology oriented colleagues.
STs have professional guidance
While employment as an ST requires a large amount of self-motivation and drive, this energy needs a certain amount of direction to fulfill the two goals of the program. Interaction with the ST Coordinator helps to fulfill these goals. The faculty ST Coordinator is an individual who assists ST's in setting realistic goals and timelines for projects. Currently, Brooke Estabrook is responsible for the guidance of all the ST's. She has successfully taken the program off the ground from its infancy and up to its current altitude. As a true mentor, Brooke acts as a medium for the work that ST's accomplish. Any difficulties arising between student workers and faculty are easily mediated by Professor Estabrook's professional and rational approach. [ back ]