Student Media Assistants Information
The SMA Program is an innovative technology support service for URI faculty and instructors. It offers both short- and long-term classroom media assistance for presentation support.
If you are interested in incorporating technology into your classroom, but don’t know how to implement and present it—the Student Media Assistant (SMA) program may be able to help! SMAs are Classroom Media Assistance (CMA) student workers who receive training in many of the popular and emergent teaching technologies (i.e., Sakai, PowerPoint, as well as video, audio and DVD equipment).
When a faculty project is accepted, the faculty member is paired up with an SMA for the approved duration of the project. These students function as presentation support in the classroom/auditorium. The student will assist the instructor to learn the technology so that he/she can operate projection and presentation equipment independently. The students are paid by Information & Instructional Technology Services (IITS) .
Once you submit a proposal, it is reviewed by IITS staff members for several key indicators:
- The technology exists to accomplish your project and the SMAs either have the skills or are capable of learning the skills to assist you.
- The project duration/scope of work is well-defined.
- This is a new use of technology for you or a major expansion of your curricular area.
- Your project meets the policy and procedures of the Classroom Media Assistance operational guidelines.
Receipt of your proposal will be acknowledged by email. You will also be notified within two weeks of your proposal's acceptance or the reasons for either deferral or rejection (i.e., hours of operation, availability of student help, availability of equipment). The instructor is responsible for booking the classroom (through the Registrar) or equipment (by submitting the request form).
Classroom Media Assistance does not routinely deliver or set-up equipment. They will assist in this process as a support function of the SMA program during the agreed-upon period of provided support only.
Common Criteria for Instructor and SMA
- SMA will be scheduled by CMA to support instructor
- Instructor and SMA will receive an orientation session to the classroom/auditorium and equipment.
- Classroom support will comply with Classroom Media Assistance policies and procedures.
- CMA will oversee the project and all SMAs will submit weekly project updates to CMA Supervisor.
- Click here to submit your proposal.
For more information, please contact us.
