Instructional Technology Aides (ITAs)
ITA Program Overview
The Provost’s Office, along with the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship (CNDLS), and the Student Employment Office (SEO), are supporting Instructional Technology Aides (ITAs) in Spring 2023 to assist Main Campus faculty in providing digitally enhanced instruction while continuing the University’s commitment to providing employment to federal work study (FWS) students. If you are interested in an ITA but teach on a different campus, virtual assistance may be available.
Between Fall 2020 and Fall 2022, over 200 undergraduate students worked as ITAs, supporting over 600 courses across six colleges. Since the ITA Program’s inception, student and faculty feedback have consistently indicated that the ITA Program was a success for all constituents–faculty, ITAs, and students in the classroom. In the most recent feedback survey, more than two thirds of students and faculty indicated that they would be interested in participating in the ITA program again.
70% of Faculty interested in participating in the ITA program again
78% of Student interested in participating in the ITA program again
In response to this continued interest, CNDLS will be offering a modified pilot version of the program in Spring 2023.
ITA Program for Spring 2023
The revised ITA Program includes some new components, which we hope will help faculty even more as they intentionally and thoughtfully integrate technology into their courses. The ITA program helps students work alongside faculty as partners in the classroom.
As we roll out the ITA program for the fall, we’ve updated some of the elements based on the feedback received from students and faculty. These updates include:
- Matching: When possible, students and faculty will be matched in before classes start. The process of matching an ITA with a faculty can be tricky as it requires clearance with student employment, class schedules, and the hiring process.
- Consultations: CNDLS will be available to consult with faculty about building technology into their course design, identifying appropriate tools, problem-solving potential challenges, and identifying the roles and responsibilities of the student with whom they are matched.
- Responsibilities and Expectations: An effort will be made to outline all of the ITA responsibilities in advance of the class.
- Consistent Work Hours: An effort will be made to ensure that students have enough work hours.
- Mentoring: An effort will be made to build mentoring opportunities into the program and provide guidelines and examples to help ITAs and faculty with developing a mentoring relationship.
- Evaluation: Students and faculty will be encouraged to complete pre- and post-surveys so that we can improve the program if it is offered in future semesters.
To request an ITA for Spring 2023, please complete this form.
The ITA Role
What ITAs can do:
- Organizing materials in Canvas
- Assisting and troubleshooting with technology issues
- Facilitating classroom questions/chat/discussion board
- Setting up online quizzes/exams
- Supporting students with digital assignments
- Collecting student feedback and creating and helping with polls
- Tracking attendance
- Helping facilitate interactive and project-based group work activities and assignments
What ITAs cannot do:
- Grading. ITA responsibilities listed above do not include grading or any activity that ask students to judge students in the class. Any grading required is done by the instructor and/or TAs.
The Faculty Role
- Developing a plan to work in partnership with their ITA in advance of the semester
- Providing clear communication
- Mentoring
- Providing ITAs with access to Canvas or shared documents (ITAs work best in the “designer” role in Canvas)
Faculty Insights
"[My ITA] has saved my life by allowing me to focus on both content and planning. She is available for all classes and I often make her the host so she can deal with technical issues while I concentrate on discussions. She will also contact students with updates on asynchronous work, syllabus changes and more. She keeps track of attendance and let’s me know if some students are infrequently missing discussions."
“I do want to thank the university for providing us with ITAs—my ITA has already helped immensely and her value will only increase over the semester!”
“I am SOOO grateful for the Technical Assistant program. Mine is amazing – she is responsive, engaging, and resourceful. She is a work study student who is grateful for the opportunity to work. As a former work-study student myself, I am so proud of the way the university has pivoted and offered work study students an opportunity to be Technical Assistants. Please kindly keep these Technical Assistants in place as long as we are online.”
Student ITA Insights
“I appreciate the professors requesting student feedback and modifying assignment modality, due dates, and class length. The “tech assistants” in each class are also very helpful. I think everyone is making the best of the situation and open to trying new ideas.”
“I liked how the technical assistants were able to help the professors run the class more smoothly.”
CNDLS provides the following support to ITAs:
- A dedicated Canvas site built by experienced ITAs and CNDLS
- Live Training Sessions with CNDLS and Lead ITAs
- Active Q&A Discussion Board for ITAs monitored by CNDLS staff and past ITAs
- ITAs are also supported by regular CNDLS Office Hour service
CNDLS provides the following support to Faculty:
- A dedicated Canvas site to orient faculty to ITAs, built by CNDLS
- Consultations with faculty about building technology into their course design, identifying appropriate tools, problem-solving potential challenges, and identifying the roles and responsibilities of the student with whom they are matched
FAQs
What’s the difference between a TA and an ITA?
TAs have content knowledge and assist with teaching. ITAs may or may not have content knowledge. Their role is to help the course run smoothly, with a focus on tech support.
How is the Spring 2023 ITA role different from the previous ITA role?
The previous ITA program was designed to respond to the immediate and changing needs of teaching during the pandemic. The new version allows for more intentionality and planning in advance. Faculty are encouraged to think through how they can integrate TEL into their course design and the classroom in meaningful ways.
Who should apply for an ITA?
Faculty who teach on Main Campus who want to expand their knowledge of technology and are interested in increasing their use of digital technology in the classroom.
Can I apply if I’ve had an ITA during a previous semester?
Yes, but you are encouraged to expand your use of technology and learn how to successfully use the technology for your future classes.
What can my ITA do for me?
Please see above for a list of example tasks.
When do ITAs begin work?
Before the start of classes, as long as their hiring paperwork is completed and processed.
Do faculty need to track ITAs hours?
No, students will work with CNDLS and the SEO to track hours and get faculty approval. However, faculty do need to ensure that they provide enough work for students to work the agreed upon hours.
To whom should faculty report if ITA didn’t fulfill the expectations of the role?
