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Student Technology Assistant Program

On this page:

• About the STA Program
• Benefits to Students
• Available Services

About the STA Program

Administered by Academic Technologies, the Student Technology Assistant (STA) program teams trained students with Academic Technologies staff to provide faculty with personalized assistance in creating and using digital media, including computer-based instructional materials used in classroom presentations and on the Internet.

Digital media are audio/visual materials and print materials converted to digital format for use online, for display in classrooms, or for use on computers in campus labs. The following are all examples of digital media:

• text documents prepared for display as web pages or converted to Adobe's PDF format so students can download them, display them on computers, or print them out
• images taken with digital cameras or scanned from slides or prints
• graphic images drawn from clipart libraries or created with graphics software
• PowerPoint slides to accompany or illustrate lectures
• sound files to accompany slides or course websites
• listservs, chat rooms, and discussion forums to foster communication and increase students' understanding course content

The goals of the STA Program are as follows:

• to provide faculty with digital-media production services, focusing on one-on-one assistance from trained students supported by professional staff members
• to provide students with experience in working with clients on projects and tasks in digital-media production, enabling them to gain skill and experience in working with new media

The STA program enables faculty to request assistance in creating and using new media and enables them, as well, to receive customized and personalized help from trained students. Students in the STA program have completed workshops conducted by Academic Technologies and have gained experience using these new digital tools. STAs are supported by and supervised by the professional and technical staff specialists of Academic Technologies.  

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Benefits to Students

The STA program provides an excellent opportunity for students with interests and skills in computers, Internet tools, and multimedia authoring software to enhance their knowledge and experience with additional training and hands-on work on projects.

All STAs receive paid training in using various digital-media software and associated equipment. After completing this training, STAs receive a Certificate of Completion documenting the training they have received. STAs are then able to work one-on-one with faculty in creating digital teaching materials and helping them use various digital media.

As an STA, you would work on projects in conjunction with technical specialists from Academic Technologies, who will assist you and certify your expertise. Upon completion of three or more high-quality projects, you can receive an Advanced Certificate; together with the Basic Training Certificate, the Advanced Certificate can be added to your resume, perhaps helping you to qualify for career and job opportunities as you combine these skills with your academic study.

In addition to learning new skills, STAs enjoy flexible hours. Deadlines must be met, but for the most part you set your own work schedule. STAs enjoy challenging projects working with modern multimedia computer technology. And STAs enjoy one of the highest-paying jobs on campus. Interested in contributing to the teaching and learning environment at Boise State?

Interested in increasing your knowledge of computer-based Internet and presentation technology? Are you able to work independently and in collaboration with technical specialists? Are you responsible and creative? If so, contact Bill Cottle, STA Program Manager, to apply to become an STA today! Dr. Cottle can be reached by phone at 426-1879 or by e-mail at bcottle@boisestate.edu.

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Available Services

• Assistance in writing for the web
• Web page design and preparation
• Preparation of documents for publication or distribution on the web
• Preparation of graphics for display on the web or in presentations
• Digital photography and scanning
• PowerPoint and multimedia presentations on disc or on CD
• Posting and editing announcements, assignments, course information, tests, and similar material for use in Blackboard Online Instruction
• Assistance with classroom demonstrations and presentations using Internet and presentation technology
• Other services as requested (upon approval from the STA Program Manager)

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Revised October 22, 2004