Technology Fellows

The Technology Fellows Program, funded by the State of South Dakota, provides for undergraduate students to develop professional-level skills, work in a team-based environment and to be compensated while learning. The program is designed so that student Tech Fellows assist Faculty in learning new technology that can be integrated into their course curriculum.

Student Information

Benefits to the Student

  • Pays an hourly wage determined by the student's level of experience in the tech fellow program.
  • Real world information technology work experience.
  • An opportunity to work with faculty and staff to have a direct impact on the teaching, learning, and research efforts at USD.
  • Earn a generous stipend that is increased each year the student is active in the program.
  • Build essential technology and professional development skills directly applicable to the future employment.
  • Establish long-lasting professional relationships with faculty, staff, and peers.

Ready to Apply?

Applicants Must Meet the Following Qualifications

  • Be a South Dakota resident
  • Be a full-time, undergraduate, degree-seeking student
  • Complete at least 30 credit hours per academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer) while in the program
  • Earn satisfactory grades and make satisfactory progress towards graduation
  • Have proficiency, or the ability to gain proficiency, in information technology experience and skills to help assist faculty
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.00 during the time spent in the program

Requirements of the Tech Fellow

  • Each student offered a fellowship must formally accept the requirements and expectations for the program (Institutions may award up to one hour of credit as part of the program.)
  • Tech Fellows are expected to provide around 11 hours per week
  • Student Tech Fellows must give an ePortfolio presentation and participate in an exit interview before the conclusion of the spring semester

Handbook

Application and Selection Procedure

  • All Applicants should complete a Tech Fellow Application or reapplication for returning Tech Fellows
  • A committee consisting of faculty, administrators, computer support staff, and the Tech Fellows Program Manager will review all applications, contact supervisors (if the applicant is a returning Tech Fellow), and make appointments for applicants.
  • Tech Fellows will be selected by July 30th or until all positions have been filled, whichever is later. Preference will be given to returning Tech Fellows; however, efforts will be made to assure a proportional number of appointments for new Tech Fellows.

Supervisor Information

Faculty and/or departments can be granted the use of a Technology Fellow (more than one if a department) for around 11 hours per week, for at least one semester, or the Tech Fellow can be used for small projects for the entire academic year.

Tech Fellows Usage

TechFellows may be asked to provide support in the following areas:
  • Technical Support
    • Facilitate classroom preparation for technology based delivery
    • Assist with campus virtualization efforts
    • Programming for campus supported applications
    • Provide assistance for library digitalization project
  • Website Development & Management
    • Maintain web-based information resources
    • Migration of new design standards
    • Maintain information currency
    • Assist with web casting/web conferencing
  • Instructional Design Support
    • Assist with course design and preparation
    • Develop computer-based simulation to be used in class
    • Production of multi-media course presentations
    • Audio and video capture, editing, and publishing
  • Professional Development
    • Assist in educational programming for faculty
    • Engage in mentoring activities for other student technology fellows
    • Coordinate e-learning activities on campus
    • Support faculty
Care should be taken to limit the exposure of Tech Fellows to the following tasks:
  • Routine keyboarding functions such as word processing of tests, course handouts, syllabi, and similar functions.
  • Entering information or data in any form, electronic or paper, for research projects.
  • Preparing presentations for professional meetings, seminars, conferences or the like.
  • Entering management data in spreadsheets or databases.
  • Performing clerical functions of any type for any faculty or staff member.
  • Any activity that requires the Tech Fellow to act as a content provider.
Note: It is required that a faculty member or department requesting the use of a Tech Fellow provide the necessary working space, hardware or software to the Tech Fellow in order for them to complete their assigned duties.
Faculty / Departmental Application

Current Supervisors

Monthly reports: These reports can be informal, consisting of one short paragraph that explains what the Tech Fellow has been completing during the last month. A reminder e-mail will be e-mailed to the supervisor before the reports are due. Please e-mail the monthly report to ctl@usd.edu.

Semester Reviews: Tech Fellow Supervisors are required to submit a written review for each of your Tech Fellows at the end of each semester. The reports should include your Tech Fellow's performance, strengths, weaknesses, and any other comments you may have about your Tech Fellow or the program. A reminder e-mail will be e-mailed to the supervisor before the reports are due. Please e-mail the semester review to ctl@usd.edu.

If you have questions, please contact us at ctl@usd.edu or 605-677-5411.

 

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