Generation TECH - Model Overview
Tools, training and support make this program a comprehensive solution for schools looking to start a student technology program or enhance an existing one. All elements of Generation TECH were developed to assist schools in setting up a student tech support team as quickly and efficiently as possible, while working towards a long-term sustainable program. Partnering with an established national organization like Generation YES gives your school the benefit of years of experience, the use of tried-and-true resources, and access to nationwide best practices.
Training & Support
Printed Program Guide
Curriculum
Online Tools and Web Portal
Sustainability
Assessment
Training & Support
Generation YES provides intensive professional development and startup support for your Generation TECH program. An experienced Generation TECH master trainer will personally provide training and support to introduce the tools, curriculum and program to the designated Generation TECH teacher (or advisor). Program start-up issues are addressed, along with security and individual needs. (Optional on-site workshops are also available. See details below.)
Generation TECH Training Options
Hands-on workshops, refresher training, and student workshops are available as optional additions to the basic school licenses. <more>
The support continues all year long
Following the training, Generation YES supports the teacher throughout the school year with unlimited toll-free telephone and email support. Since all the program elements are online, Generation YES staff can review teacher and students progress and advise the teacher throughout the year.
The goal of this intensive first-year support is to move the school into a self-sustaining program as quickly as possible.
Printed Program Guide
The Generation TECH Program Guide provides teachers with the structure to manage a dynamic, project-based learning environment. Assessment strategies, rubrics and techniques are provided both in the Guide and online.
The flexible Generation TECH curriculum and tools allow a school to implement the program in a variety of ways: after-school club, elective class, independent study, and more. The program guide covers these models in detail and offers examples, best practices and tips for various implementations.
The program guide also has best practices covering security procedures, working with existing professional tech support staff, and creating a sustainable program.
Curriculum
The Generation TECH curriculum covers tech skills, communication (both verbal and written), computer architecture, and troubleshooting. These activities are flexible, many covering multiple class periods, and offer over 70 hours of instruction for those meeting in a class situation. All activities have considerations and leveling suggestions, allowing the instructor to tailor the class for group and individual needs.
Curriculum Details
8 units with cover tech skills, computer architecture, and troubleshooting.
For more details on each unit, click here.
Curriculum units are student-centered and constructivist in pedagogy, emphasizing authentic experiences and guided discovery. Documentation and collaboration skills are emphasized throughout, making this class rigorous and suitable for credit.
Activities have extensive online resources for both students and teachers including handouts, links to relevant websites, vocabulary and resources. All resources are available to students as well for independent exploration and study. This philosophy of “everyone learns, everyone teaches” is apparent in the open nature of the student and teacher tools and resources.
Online Tools and Web Portal
The Generation TECH online tool suite supports all elements of the program and curriculum. This password-protected site and state-of-the-art web application allows full access to all Generation TECH resources, curriculum, and tools.
The Generation TECH web tools are explored in more detail on this webpage.
The Generation TECH online tools have been updated to include the most advanced community and communication tools found on the Internet. These tools help create a dynamic, collaborative environment that not only allows the student to work on independent projects and document tech support tasks, but also allows the teacher to manage students whether in a class or independent study environment.
- Blogs - individual, team and class
- Project calendaring and tasks
- Social networking tools
- Customized teacher and student "dashboards"
- Community blogs and forums connect Generation TECH classes to each other
Sustainability
Renewable Licenses
The Generation TECH license covers materials, resources, use of the website, and tools by teachers and students each year.
After the first year of intensive support from Generation YES, license renewals can be as low as $400 per year.
Generation TECH is designed to create a student-owned system that builds competence and mastery while increasing opportunities for learning. Students create resources and become peer mentors and teachers for incoming students. Student-supported, student-driven, and student-centered, this course builds and maintains a self-sustaining tech support system that the school can rely on through personnel changes and budget cuts.
Ownership
Generation TECH is designed to be integrated into the existing structure of the school. Existing programs can adapt the curriculum, tools and assessments. Schools new to student tech support will get a program that has been tested in schools and proven to work.
Student-run
Students are the key to sustaining a program year after year. The structure of the program ensures a growing cadre of students who understand and contribute to the program year after year. Many schools incorporate their own school spirit into the model, and come up with individualized logos, slogans and mascots for the "tech team".
Assessment
Assessment is based on detailed, classroom-proven rubrics for activities and projects. The goal is that the students demonstrate their learning by problem solving in real-life school technology situations. The curriculum guide offers suggestions and numerous example of authentic assessment for both classroom use and independent study.
Assessments measure both products and process and are specifically designed for the Generation TECH student tech support curriculum. Assessment instruments and rubrics are found in the program guide and teacher resource section of the website.
Teachers will find that the included electronic gradebook is an excellent guide to assessing student project work.
Why Is Generation TECH Recommended for Grades 8-12?
Although younger students are certainly capable of providing valuable tech support, Generation TECH is designed to create a sustainable tech support program that works at a very high level, and at the same time, provides an academic experience that is suitable for high school credit.
Consider using the Generation TECH program in middle school if:
- The teacher/advisor has the technical capability to help younger students understand the school technology. These students may not be able to do the independent research methodology used in the curriculum.
- The teacher/advisor has the pedagogical and technical capability to adapt the curriculum activities for younger students.
- Your students already have a high level of technical ability and/or reading level.
- Your students are highly motivated.
- You already have an informal student tech crew and are simply looking for more structure, tools and techniques.
- The teacher/advisor is the sole provider of tech support for the school.
- You have a small group of students.
At the middle school level, the teacher/advisor will need to adapt some of the curriculum activities to make them more appropriate for younger students. You may also want to introduce the online project and task tools more slowly, or not at all, or not use the Help Desk. We also do not recommend starting a new Generation TECH program with a large class of middle school students. Also, see the webpage on Essential Conditions for Success for Generation TECH . These will especially apply to a middle school implementation.
As an alternative, consider starting with a GenYES program. Returning GenYES students can help do informal tech support and support teachers with both curriculum projects and hardware support. GenYES gives the students good basic tech skills, people skills, and experience with how teachers use technology in the classroom. At the middle school level, you may not need the advanced tools, help desk software, and curriculum found in Generation TECH.
If you are looking for student tech support at the elementary school level...
Consider GenYES. Most elementary schools that run GenYES for a few years find that this happens naturally. Returning GenYES students can do informal tech support and support teachers with both curriculum projects and hardware support. GenYES gives the students good basic skills, people skills, and experience with how teachers use technology for in the classroom. There is no need for a formal tech support curriculum, help desks, or the advanced collaboration project management tools found in Generation TECH.
Optional - On-site, hands-on workshops
A full-day on-site workshop is a valuable addition to the basic Generation TECH license. Program start-up issues are addressed along with security issues and individual needs. Depending on the situation, students can be included in the workshop. We encourage this, as student participation from the beginning is the most effective way to jump-start a Generation TECH program.
Option A - Single school workshop. Your Generation TECH master trainer will work side-by-side with the designated Generation TECH teacher throughout the school day, teaching the tools to students, and modeling the instructional pedagogy of the curriculum to the teacher. The day includes a 2-hour workshop for staff and administration to address issues of logistics and security at the school site. This is a valuable way to quickly immerse the students and staff in Generation TECH for immediate results.
Option B - Multiple school workshop. Your Generation TECH master trainer will work with up to 20 teachers and staff from multiple schools in a single day workshop at your training site. Selected students can be included in this workshop if desired. This type of training is valuable as well, and promotes sharing and synergy over multiple sites.
For More Information...
To purchase Generation TECH, or for more information on volume pricing, workshops, and training schedules, call toll-free (888) 941-4369 or contact us through the web.
