Experiential Learning for Student Staff Presenter: Michael Gough Collaborator: Lynda LaRoche DePauw University Teamwork Training Professional Development Leadership March 16, 2011

DePauw University College of Liberal Arts and School of Music Enrollment: 2,296 Faculty: 233

Information Technology Associates Program (ITAP) 2001 – Lilly Endowment Grant Selective four-year honors program Team-based “real world” work environments 8 - 10 hours a week Apprentices / Associates Background

Instructional Technology at DePauw

Goals for the I.L.S. Associates Program Teamwork and management – Create management environment that emphasizes teamwork Training - Interns can assist clients with common technologies Professional Development - Provide meaningful opportunities Leadership - Provide interns with leadership experiences Background

Program Components Teamwork and Management Leadership Experience Program structure Moodle site Project Management Training Kick-off Core competencies Professional Development Goals and objectives Discussion sessions ePortfolio reviews Leadership Experience Student directors Project managers

Program Structure I.L.S. Associates Program Specialty team I.L.S. Director Assistant Director (program coordinator) Specialty team Coordinator Student Director Project Team Project manager Interns assigned to the project Project Components  Teamwork and Management

I.L.S. Associates Moodle Site A communication medium Announcements Weekly updates Peer review of ePortfolios Learning management Core competencies Feedback Program organization Calendar Project management Project Components  Teamwork and Management

Project Management Project Components  Teamwork and Management Defining Project request form Statement of work Planning Work breakdown structure Project timeline Tracking Weekly updates Weekly meetings Wrapping-up Project wrap-up Client feedback Project Components  Teamwork and Management

Example projects Google Spreadsheets project Google Apps for organizations

Training – I.L.S. Kickoff Half day orientation Introduced to I.L.S. Interns learn the policies and procedures Participate in team based activities Project Components  Training

Core Competencies Online deliverable based learning modules Graded by Student Directors/Specialty Team Coordinators Software Competencies – Microsoft Office, Audacity, Google Apps, Moodle and others Soft Skills – Customer service, project management, healthy computing Topics are reviewed every year Project Components  Training

Professional Development – Goals and Objectives Interns learn how to write measurable objectives Goals must have a plan for attainment Gives full time staff direction for assigning projects Project Components  Professional Development

Discussion Sessions Timely and relevant topics for technology in higher ed. Chosen by Student Directors Required to attend one per semester Interns must contribute to the discussion Project Components  Professional Development

ePortfolio Reviews ePortfolios are required for all first year ITAP apprentices I.L.S. interns must revise and review others Reflect on their work Use for job seeking Project Components  Professional Development

Leadership Experience – Student Directors Specialty teams have a student director Help mentor newer interns Help monitor and track project progress Lead discussion sessions Offer program feedback Project Components  Leadership Experience

Project Managers Responsible for making sure a project meets it’s milestones Fills out project management forms Reports progress to the supervisor and the client Project Components  Leadership Experience

Lessons Learned Carefully define a project Core competencies will change A blended approach to training works best Project management training is key Students need guidance with peer feedback Students expect meaningful professional development

Feedback from Alumni This position was a perfect transition from DePauw into my current career because I was able to work directly with many faculty at DePauw on a wide variety of projects. I began to understand how faculty think and learn about the academic environment. [My supervisors] were spectacular mentors during my three years in ILS, they helped me develop the skills necessary in the workplace. Being Student Director forced me to see beyond myself and envision the studio as a cohesive unit. Collaborating with all the recordists on a weekly basis made it necessary to continually adapt and overcome issues that were bigger than myself.

Discussion Questions? What tips have you learned for managing student interns?

Instructional Technologist Contact Information Michael Gough Instructional Technologist and Coordinator of Student Technology Support 765-658-1093 michaelgough@depauw.edu Lynda S. LaRoche Assistant Director of Instructional & Learning Services and Moodle Support Coordinator 765-658-6600 llaroche@depauw.edu