What do TLAs do?

Technology Learning Assistants (TLAs) help Penn State faculty members at University Park use technology in their classes. Students spend a semester (or more) in one-on-one consultations (5 to 10 meetings) to answer technology questions and help faculty learn the skills necessary to use ANGEL, create Web pages, develop PowerPoint slides, keep a grade book, and learn other technology skills.

What are the benefits of the TLA initiative?

TLAs gain valuable professional skills and add significantly to their resume. Faculty clients, the courses they teach, and the departments and colleges of faculty clients benefit by gaining richer course resources, integration of interactive technologies into courses, and expanded use of technology to support teaching and course management.

How do students become TLAs?

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Use this form to apply to become a TLA.

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Students apply to become TLAs and are selected based on their skills and interests, their GPA (2.75 or above, 3.33 for Schreyer Honors College students), and a recommendation from a Penn State faculty or staff member. Upon approval, students are enrolled in the appropriate course.

For students, becoming a TLA is quite different from taking a regular course. Being a TLA is similar to an internship; students do professional work in which they put into practice their communication, organizational, teaching, and technical skills. The program is flexible, allowing undergraduate students to take 1 credit of IST 297, Special Topics, Technology in the Classroom; graduate students to take either 1 credit of IST 497, Technology in the Classroom or 1 - 3 credits of INSYS 497, Consulting in Instructional Design.

If other departments have a faculty member who will serve as instructor of record for an individual/independent study course, a student may become a TLA under that course. You must find a faculty member to sponsor your independent studies. If you would like a letter explaining the program or any help contacting a faculty member, please do not hesitate to ask. We offer this as a way to make your experience interesting as well as beneficial to your studies at the same time. Please contact the TLA Coordinator for more information.

Requirements

As a part of the tutor program, you will be expected to:

• Tutor one or two faculty members regularly (5- 10 meetings) or tutor many clients if assigned short-term clients.
• Create regular progress reports (every other week).
• Write a 2-3 page reflective paper at the end of the semester (guidelines provided).

Wage Payroll option for subsequent semesters

In subsequent semesters after completing the appropriate course, TLAs may return to the program to work for wages (as a Penn State wage payroll employee). This option requires a hiring process so that you can be added to the University payroll. The process involves providing verification of identity, a few signatures, and a blank voided check from the account to which you would like your wages deposited. Once in the system, you are responsible for reporting your hours. Please contact the TLA Coordinator for more information

How often will TLAs meet with their faculty clients?

Weekly usually. Some faculty, however, want less consultation time. TLAs will have some long-term and some short term clients over the semester.

How often will TLAs meet with the course instructors?

Face-to-face training sessions are held during early evening at the beginning of the semester. Other meetings are held upon request of the TLA or the program coordinator. Communication also will also take place via e-mail, ANGEL, and on-line discussion.

TLAs are expected to work independently with their faculty clients after the initial training sessions. An ANGEL course site provides resource materials, and the course schedule gives guidance for pacing project work and reporting to instructors.

How much time must a TLA spend working with their faculty clients?

Undergraduate TLAs spend a total of 40 - 45 hours per semester for each course credit they take. This includes time spent in training sessions, writing biweekly journals reporting on their work, arranging meetings, researching answers to client's questions, writing a reflective paper, and, of course, meeting with faculty clients. This is equivalent to the time spent in a traditional course, where one hour in class should be balanced by two hours out of class working on course-related activities.

Graduate TLAs should expect to spend an additional 5 - 10 hours per credit. Students on wage payroll spend varying numbers of hours depending on their assignments.

The goal of the TLA program is to help you with challenges you have when planning to use education technologies, including ANGEL. Technology Learning Assistants can help you with basic computing skills needed to use ANGEL, PowerPoint, an electronic grade book, file management, e-mail, creating web pages, and any skills that help you use your computer efficiently.

TLAs complement the rich help resources available on-line (see http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/all.html and [ this link is a dead end. if there is a link to this material somewhere else, we need to find ithttp://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/research/index.shtml) ], the answers you can get by completing the ANGEL Help form (see http://cmshelp.psu.edu), and by calling the free general Help Desk number (888-778-4010), or by sending a note describing your problem to helpdesk@psu.edu.

Please note that TLAs will not perform duties normally done by departmental technology support personnel (software installations, hardware troubleshooting, network problems, etc.). TLAs will not serve in the role of Teaching Assistants or staff assistants.

At University Park, a TLA will meet with you a semester (or more) in one-on-one consultations (5 to 10 meetings). You and the TLA will decide how to allocate that time accordingly. This means you should prepare for each session, having your questions written down and setting goals for your next meeting.

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At other locations, contact your educational technology representative. He or she may be able to meet with and assist you.

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How to Request a Consultation (Available for University Park faculty only)

Please complete [ needs new URL to Faculty request formthis consultation form.

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