Instructional Technology Aide (ITA) Program

ITA Program Fall 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:

1. Matching: Students and faculty will be matched in early September, after the add/drop period ends. . 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.
2. Consultations: CNDLS staff will be available to consult with faculty about building technology into their course design, identifying appropriate tools, problem-solving potential challenges. To schedule a consultation please email itas@georgetown.edu
3. Additional Support: Returning ITAs will be available to provide hands-on support to faculty during drop-in hours, listed below.
4. Responsibilities and Expectations: An effort will be made to outline all of the ITA responsibilities in advance of the class.
5. Consistent Work Hours: An effort will be made to ensure that students have enough work hours.
6. 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.
7. 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.

Program Overview

The Office of the Provost, along with the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship, and the Student Employment Office, are supporting Instructional Technology Aides (ITAs) in Fall 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. In response to this continued interest, CNDLS is continuing to offer a a modified pilot version of the program in Fall 2023.

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"[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."

Faculty and Student Roles and Support

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.

What is unique about the ITA role?

The ITA program was designed in 2020 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.

When do ITAs begin work?

After the add/drop period, 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?

Contact: Please reach out to itas@georgetown.edu for assistance.