Tech4Teens VOLUNTEER MENTOR Registration (SCSU Fieldwork Eligible)

Interested in mentoring youth?  CfAL's Tech4Teens program empowers teens to use technology to share their passion. 

Students learn how to edit videos, create podcasts and share through personal websites - and learn to create small projects in Scratch and Snap!  Mentors guide students in small groups to complete their projects.  Mentors are specially matched based on expereince and interests.

Based on Mentors' experience, Mentors guide students to:

• Create and develop websites,
• Edit video using WeVideo,
• Record and publish podcasts,
• Edit photos using Pixlr, and/or
• Learn basic coding!

During the academic school year, Tech4Teens meets one day during the week September 15th through April 30.   

All Volunteers must attend a 2-hour virtual training session.  Trainings are offered on multiple days - and portion of training can be completed independently.

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SCSU Education Majors can be eligible for fieldwork hours.  

FFieldwork Students Requirements:

Fieldwork Students assigned to this program will increase skills in teaching technology in a virtual setting. Students must be enrolled in either a 3 credit class with field placement or a 1 credit field placement class.  Students in this program will be required to agree to a background check.

Tech Teaching

• Tech Break JR- A one hour activity to be completed offline. As a mentor you hold a virtual meeting and review an arts and craft activity. Your primary audience is elementary students.
• Tech4Teens Lessons-This is a 30 minute virtual lesson as part of camp. You set it up as a group challenge that fits within the curriculum and aligned to either CCSS, NETS-S, or ASLA standard.
• Tech4Tweens-This is a 30 minute virtual lesson focused on coding and/or creative digital projects. Your primary audience is upper elementary schools ages 10-12. 

   

  Student Responsibilities:

• Complete CfAL Training
• 40 hours of field work scheduled through finals week
• Teach two Tech Break JR lesson
• Teach two  Tech4Teens sessions
• Maintain and publish weekly reflections to a blog
• Submit lesson plans 10 days in advance
• Complete mandatory training
• Have background check completed

   

  Tech4Teens: Overview

  According to the National Center for Academic Statistics, Connecticut has the largest achievement gaps in the country.  Across all subjects and grades, low-income students consistently perform nearly three grade levels behind non-low income peers. As more schools embrace distance learning in light of the COVID -19 crisis, this gap will greatly increase as low-income families lack the means to access distance learning opportunities. 

  Noting that school absenteeism was a challenge before COVID-19 for many disadvantaged students, many school districts reported that attendance for distance learning last Spring was even more challenging.[1]  While New Haven Public Schools – like many districts nationwide - did not formally track attendance, they estimate that daily attendance hovered around 75% to 80%.  This summer, CfAL’s Tech4Teens program had a 90% attendance rate, with students attending for 2.5 hours, three days a week for six week during the summer.  

   

  CfAL’s Tech4Teens program increases digital literacy and expanded learning to New Haven youth.  The success of the program is greatly due to the fact that the students’ projects are designed in a way that allow them to self-select their pathway (i.e. website development, video editing, podcasting, photo editing and/or coding), and then focus on their passions and while developing projects.  Sample lessons that align with common core standards include:

• ·       
• express curiosity about a topic of personal interest or curricular relevance while using collaborative technologies to publish a podcast, and
• engaging in inquiry-based processes for personal growth through creating a movie.

   

  SCSU Suggested Content Areas:

  This program is ideal for SCSU students looking to gain experience and learn best practices in:

• Teaching technology to students in grades 5 though 8
• ·        Engaging elementary through high students online
• ·        Teaching content virtually to elementary through high school
• ·        Teaching elementary and secondary science, history and English
• Utilizing breakout rooms safely to encourage small group discussion
• Utilizing technology safely to encourage student “voice” through chat functions

  SCSU Training Requirements:

  SCSU students will be trained by CfAL on:

• CfAL’s history (organization and mission)
• Tech4Teens Program Overview
• Program logistics (e.g. how to sign-on, SCSU expectations, etc.)
• CT Mandated Reporting (online training through State of Connecticut)
• Sexual Harassment Training
• Background check will be required

  Ideal Skills/Knowledge Areas

  This is an ideal fieldwork/intern opportunity for students interested in supporting youth programs, and have working/basic knowledge, or interest in developing knowledge, in any of the following areas:

• Basic website development
• Basic video and photo editing
• Basic podcast creation
• Basic coding