Leadership and Achievement through Technology Initiative:
Tech Camp prepares students to become peer mentors
 Ask the students who attended STL 2012 Summer Camp why they were
there, and two common thoughts dominate the replies. “I like
computers,” and “I like to be able to help people.”
STL stands for Student Technology Leader, and the week-long
summer camp at HFM BOCES on July. 16-20 was designed to help
prepare tech-minded middle school students to become classroom
mentors.
The initiative is part of HFM BOCES’ Enhancing Education through
Technology program, designed to build technology-related skills
and develop mentors among teachers and students in participating
schools.
These digitally-savvy students plan to tutor fellow students in
technology-related projects, while assisting their teachers in
learning and using new technology as a teaching tool. The
program helps meet the federal goal that all students will
demonstrate technology literacy by the end of eighth grade.
In addition to the HFM BOCES camp, a tech camp will take place
for a second group of students at WSWHE BOCES.
Along with numerous projects designed to acquaint the new
mentors with software and technical resources that may be used
in their classrooms, the students learned about the expectations
and challenges of a student technology leader, and discussed how
to be a helpful resource for teachers looking for ways to use
technology as a teaching tool.
Once the camp is over, the students are certified as Student
Technology Leaders (STL), ready to assist teachers and their
peers in finding new ways to learn with technology.
Student Technology Leaders are part of a state-wide network of
students committed to helping their schools prepare for a world
that uses more and more digital technology every day.
All middle school students in New York State will be required to
demonstrate their technology literacy by completing two
original, creative projects that involve technology by the end
of 8th grade. These technology projects could fit into any
subject area, or may relate to several subjects. A student
technology leader will assist students in developing their
ideas, and offer guidance in carrying out the project. In
addition, the STL will help evaluate the projects to determine
if they meet all the requirements for certification.
For further information, contact HFM BOCES Coordinator of
Instructional Services Tracy Kent at (518) 736-4360 or tkent@hfmboces.org.
To learn more about the Enhancing Education through Technology
program, click
here.
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