This newsletter can also be found at: http://www.kuzmich.com/carmody/fall2005/newsletter22.html
Prerequisites!
Scheduling Procedures
Student assistants substitute one elective class either next fall or winter semester and meet with one of Dr. Data's 7th grade computer classes. A student assistant is expected to be able to assist students with their class work, trouble shoot hardware/software problems, do clerical work, design/type instructional materials, load software, print out instructional materials, answer student questions, run errands and post materials on the white board.
In order for your child to be a student assistant, the parent must agree that the child can be assigned to one of my 7th grade classes either 1st or 2nd semester in place of one of their 8th grade elective classes. If you should any questions regarding how this scheduling takes place, please contact Mr. David O’Brien, 7th grade counselor, for details.
All such student assistants for the 2006-2007 school year must read and complete the following student assistant contract form and return to Dr. Data by Friday, December 16, 2005. You can print out a student assistant contract at http://www.kuzmich.com/carmody/student_assistant_contract.html and if interested, please sign it along with your child and return to Dr. Data by Friday, December 16, 2005.
Note: It is a prerequisites for a student assistant that the child both likes working at the computer and likes to help students. It is expected that a prospective student will have successfully completed the 7th grade Computer class elective class. Normally, Dr. Data selects “A” students, but on occasion he will select a student who would benefit from the peer to peer experience as a student assistant.
Specific Expectations for Student Assistant Behavior
Behavior in a computer learning environment must be suitable for quality level instruction where the rights of the student and teacher are respected. Likewise, classroom rules and procedures must be respected so that the primary efforts of both the students and teacher are focused on the instructional process. I believe it is important that both the students and teacher have the expectation to be happy, safe and productive in the classroom. Since the 7th Grade exploratory computer class represents an introductory class in computer skills, the success of the class is not to be only measured by the computer skills taught but also respect for the high technology atmosphere. The PC Lab has 33 computer workstations for 30 students along with monitors, printers and other related equipment within a modest-sized room. This needs to be an orderly and secure environment. I will publish detailed expectations for each part of the general classroom procedures (entering the room, beginning of the period activity, administrative task, lectures, cooperative learning, testing, seat work, and others), including security expectations for students entering the room as well as for instructional period and wrap-up at the end of the class period. Students are not to leave their chairs during the period unless directed by the teacher.
Be aware that student assistants do not specialize in one kind of service. Be willing to engage in many different and interesting assignments from computer repair, software loading, doing errands, teaching one-on-one, passing out papers, and other necessary assignments based on the need at hand!
Hope this information is helpful.
Till next time,
Dr. Data