Riverview School District Tech Kids Teams Make It Happen!
By: Leanne Christensen, RSD
Carnation Elementary Tech Kids
A program involving student volunteers called, "Tech Kids Team" was developed two years ago by Riverview Elementary Technology Integration Specialist, Karen Mayfield, and has been growing ever since.
This highly successful and innovative program engages 2nd through 5th grade students who volunteer their time to assist other students and teachers in the technology labs in their schools. The students are selected by application -- which requires a teacher and parent signature stating that they can afford to miss class time and will receive parental support to make up any missed work. Students who are selected do not need any prior experience, because Mrs. Mayfield spends time teaching and training them as to how they are to assist others on specific projects. All they need is an eagerness to help and collaborate with others.
All three of our Riverview elementary schools have a Tech Kids Team program; there were about 250 students involved with this program district-wide last year. Each student is assigned to work with a specific class on an on-going basis. They help trouble-shoot common problems that arise, they answer students' questions-both content-related and tech-related-and they help take care of the equipment to keep it in tip top shape. Classroom teachers love the Tech Kids Team because, in addition to supporting their peers, the Tech Kids assist staff in many ways. Teachers are able to engage their students in more intensive projects because they can count on the Tech Kids' extra hands and help in such a busy environment. With the abundance of technology we currently have and the need to stay current so that our schools mirror the tools being used in the greater society, student support teams like this are really essential. They save staff development money by providing job embedded support and informal training and they help to build a terrific collaborative tone among students in the schools. As Karen Mayfield expressed, "There is such a magical thing that happens when you mix students eager to learn and create, Tech Kids enthusiastic to assist, teachers with the knowledge and creativity to plan innovative lessons, and adequate tools of technology to engage them all. The excitement for learning is contagious! Put simply, the Tech Kids enable us to use every piece of technology every day in more and better ways than we could without them. They are essential team members in our effort to effectively use the technology provided by the community through technology levies."
At the end of the program each year, Mrs. Mayfield celebrates the student successes with an ice cream party and each student receives a certificate and a medal for their participation in this ground-breaking program. However, this small acknowledgement is nothing compared to the appreciation the Tech Kids receive every week from other students and teachers, and to the self-satisfaction they feel for filling such an essential role in their schools.
Students leaving the elementary schools, headed to Tolt, have expressed a desire to continue their service so Karen Hough, Secondary Technology Integration Specialist, is currently working with staff and administration to continue the program at the middle school. It will be especially timely, since a brand new lab has been added at Tolt from the funding out of the current technology Levy. "There is no downside to extending the program to the middle school. It is quick, easy and free to get up and running, and what can be problematic with getting more hands helping, no matter what the arena?" ~Karen Mayfield
Here are some quotes from elementary students and teachers about their experience with the Tech Kids Team:
"Tech kids help us when we don't know what to do or need ideas." - Musse Riek, student
"Tech kids are important because if they weren't there we would have to figure it out by ourselves and it's too hard sometimes." - Sam Kaplowitz, student
"It's fun to help people because it's a nice thing to do!" - Enrique Montana, Tech Kid
"I really like to teach other kids and teachers because I know a lot about computers and they don't, so I can teach them." - Jage Spear, Tech Kid
" The Tech Kids innovation in our district has been amazingly helpful for the primary students and their teachers. It is difficult to answer all of those pressing questions that come all at once when the little ones are at the computers. Having competent older children there to answer questions and help get us going has been truly beneficial. We go to the lab with our 2nd grade Busy Bees twice a week, with helpers for Wednesday and a new crew for Friday. We have really added to our store of computer knowledge and ease with working programs. Mrs. Mayfield has taken us to new frontiers, the Tech Kids were faithful in attending and they were always kind with the younger students. We are glad they were a new innovation for us at Carnation Elementary." - Kate Brougham, 2nd grade teacher.
"Having Tech Kids was a wonderful addition. What a wonderful opportunity to have older students help with reading or techniques or remembering directions for a procedure or game. It was also a wonderful opportunity for my students to serve younger students as "experts". They showed tremendous responsibility and remembered to check with the teacher they assisted." - Orlene Olson, 5th grade teacher
"Our tremendously knowlegeable & helpful 4th grade Tech Helpers from Mrs. Kelly's class were lifesavers while working on our 2nd Grade Photostory Videos last Spring. Thanks from our whole class!" - Anna Armstrong, 2nd grade teacher
2-3 Stillwater Tech Kids
4-5 Stillwater Tech Kids
Cherry Valley Tech Kids
