Key Question
How can students incorporate technology
with Service Learning?
Overview
Building on PC and Network
Hardware and Software foundations received in their sophomore
year, juniors and seniors proceed to the Cisco Networking
Academy Program. Students learn to design, build and maintain
computer networks and prepare for the 21st century workplace
with a thorough immersion in cabling, media, connections,
electronics, routers, bridges, switches, and hub setup and
management, network security and documentation. TechAssist
Part II students continue to install, troubleshoot, maintain
and repair computers with an emphasis on school networks.
By assuming active roles in career choices and service, they
show younger peers how Cisco Kids can be Successful Adults.
Active
Exploration +
Applied
Learning + Adult
Connections |
Classroom
Activities
|
Community
Activities
|
Career
Activities
|
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Disseminate
info about TechAssist throughout school. |
•
|
Respond to tech requests. |
•
|
Diagnose,
classify & document computer problems. |
•
|
Clean
& maintain computers & peripherals. |
•
|
Return
repaired computers. |
•
|
Communicate
problems & solutions to clients. |
•
|
Process
aspects of referral, service & service
production. |
•
|
Document
TechAssist with multimedia, pictures, digital
video & computer slide shows. |
|
•
|
Work
in teams to provide classrooms with computers
in working order. |
•
|
Visit
middle school & describe TechAssist principles. |
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Maintain
e-mail contact with middle school techies.
|
•
|
Take
9th & 10th graders on a networking lab
tour. |
•
|
Share
TechAssist computer
slide show (or download,
1.91 MB) with prospective students
& visitors at expos & conferences. |
•
|
Meet
with community leaders including senators,
the mayor & Cisco executives. |
|
•
|
Visit
municipal & school Tech Centers. |
•
|
Observe
& interact with professional troubleshooters. |
•
|
Develop
problem-solving skills for after-school positions.
Ex: Lab Tech Assistant. |
•
|
Research
qualifications for positions in computer networking
industry. |
•
|
Apply
for after-school & summer technology positions. |
•
|
Examine
technology service-related positions in the
public sector: CityYear, libraries, hospitals
& municipal or state offices. |
|
Academic
Rigor
|
Learning
Standards Technology |
•
|
Understand
& work with technical information. |
•
|
Resolve
computer & network support problems. |
•
|
Use
application & system software & computer
training equipment. |
•
|
Process
job input/output. |
•
|
Provide
documentation & forms. |
Learning
Standards English
Language Arts
|
•
|
Use
various formats & technology to complete &
enhance work. |
•
|
Understand
& use the writing process effectively. |
•
|
Collaborate
on project that applies learning to educate others. |
School
to Career Competencies
|
•
|
Practice
Communication & Literacy Skills. |
•
|
Collect
& organize information. |
•
|
Problem
Solve. |
•
|
Use
Technology.
|
•
|
Complete
Entire Activities.
|
•
|
Act
Professionally.
|
•
|
Understand
All Aspects of the Industry.
|
Assessment |
The
most definitive assessment of a TechAssist student
is a working computer and a satisfied user. Class
work and homework assignments are assessed through
tests many of which are online. Students refer
to Rubric scores for TechAssist
Logs and Reports.
Software
or Materials Used For
repair activities: small tool kits, cable &
tester, crimper & RJ45 jacks; for text; Cisco
Networking Academy online curriculum; plus demonstrations
on a large screen monitor, Diagnostic Utilities,
software installation disks; computer slide &
digital whiteboard presentations; Microsoft Office
for TechAssist logo, business cards, service forms,
feedback forms, etc.
Teacher
Developed Materials Guidelines
for TechAssist Logs and Reports, Rubrics for TechAssist
Logs and Reports
Student
Developed Materials Flyers
advertising TechAssist, Logs, Reports, Computer
Slide Show
Web
Sites Microsoft
Office; HP
Technical Support; Cisco
Connection Online
Final
Words When
TechAssist students discover they are in demand
for summer and full time tech positions in major
companies and government organizations, they agree
rigorous curriculum plus hard work pays off.
Teacher
Tip Teamwork
is key to providing service in Networking and
Technology. The more students work together to
solve endless computer glitches, the better they
do. Communication skills also improve with careful
documentation in Logs and Reports.
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