MOUSE+Squad+Faculty+Advisor+Training+Debrief

Goals for MOUSE Squads
(Identified by iTeach/iLearn participants at the MOUSE Squad Faculty Advisor Training Session on 11/9/06.)


 * To create a well trained group of kids.
 * To identify all of the technology that's in the school--conduct an inventory of what's there--where it is, what's it supposed to be used for. What are we working with?
 * Design a method of using the technology. Have a process in place so that there's a method for managing requests.
 * To assist teachers in the use of technology. Some teachers are secure, others aren't--we want to promote that feeling of security.

Objectives for meeting Goals for MOUSE Squad

 * Be flexible, patient and dedicate time
 * Understand criteria for choosing students
 * Develop tactics for pushing into the classroom during the day
 * Partner students with teachers, especially at professional development sessions.
 * Learn more about the technology (teachers building skills.) The more I learn the more that I can pass on.)
 * MOUSE Squad could be used to lessen traffic in hallways as students approach depot manager.
 * Encourage students to learn about technology and learn about software
 * Allocate a *regular* time in the day/week for students to meet. Explain process to students.

Ideal qualities for student technicians

 * kids that love technology
 * have some technical knowledge--willing to study the mechanics of the computer.
 * demonstrate responsibility
 * able to talk to a teacher (or the desire to gain those skills.)

Things for kids to do/learn

 * Serve as liaison for Depot Manager
 * Help when many students are using the laptops at the same time.

Program Benefits

 * Teaches responsibility
 * Builds tech skills (students)
 * Easier on advisors.

Parents could be a part of work in schools--they should know that their child is running around. Open house for parents.

Concerns

 * i Squad - just in time support. Why a ticket or workorder?
 * Define how much time students would want to spend solving a problem while in a classroom. Limit student time on task in classroom. needs to be defined with students. What if something goes wrong. Kid could be in and out of class all day missing instruction--why is this kid always out?
 * Define times for students to address problems--students will need guidelines.
 * Application/Permission form (available on http://mousesquad.org)

Solutions

 * Schools keep log books in each program to keep track of issues related to carts and machines.
 * Create a schedule and regular problem report--a data driven system--get at common issues.
 * Get kids to learn how to keep track and be accountable.

What are the services your MOUSE Squad will provide?

 * Screens clean
 * Keeping the carts assembled, and laptops charged
 * Ticket system to deal with longer "in time" issues.
 * Routine maintenance - additional time for club groups
 * Students identify computer and issue--for tagging and escalation.
 * Feed DoE's online ticket system.
 * Keep 98% of laptops running. No more than 1 per class out. Need help if more than 1 box down at a time. Grab last 4 digits of asset id. Track recurrence. Know that we need to get extra help.

MOUSE Squad Basics

 * Team organization
 * Roles, responsibilities - technicians, info manager--helps with reporting to MS Advisor.
 * Process for managing tickets
 * Other roles for Squad - maintenance, lab assistance, data collection
 * Base of operations- library as most accessible space, likely collection space. Ideally it would have enough space for a schedule.
 * Advertising - have the MOUSE Squad create its own advertisement.

Career Skills
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 * Site helpful - too heady for middle school students. Not immediately applicable.
 * More useful for holdovers perhaps
 * Useful to HS, super 8th graders.
 * Interview questions - want to become skilled at responding to questions, how to speak. Dos and Don'ts apply.
 * Career Quiz
 * Intern and learn - 8th grade -- they don't know what's out there. Other options for careers opportunity to discover.
 * Quizzes - do the training first--they need the content to do the quizzes.