Leaders' Edge
Topic: Support, Management, and Operations
Students as Technicians
My district's technology plan includes a provision to train older elementary and secondary students to be technology troubleshooters. I'm afraid that students will be pulled out of academic classes frequently to assist teachers. Should I be concerned?
 Many middle and high schools have reported great success in offering courses where students receive training in troubleshooting and then provide technical assistance in classrooms and labs during that class period.
As long as students are providing these services during the period they are scheduled as technicians, they aren't missing instruction in core content areas. However, if students are being called out of another class to assist someone, or are troubleshooting for one of their own teachers during an academic class, then there's reason for concern. Elementary students don't generally have period schedules, which makes monitoring when and how often they're being asked to troubleshoot more problematic.
Keep an eye on how this program unfolds on your site, and don't hesitate to step in if you believe that students are missing academic instruction.
Submitted by:
Susan Brooks-Young-Young
Next Tip:
Integrated or Automated?
Leaders' Edge Coordinator: Susan Brooks-Young
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