Any parent or grandparent who has ever had to have their elementary school aged student walk them through a computer program or even change the time on a digital watch after the time change knows: some kids are inherently good at technology. Sangamon Elementary School staff are using this to their advantage with the iSWAT team, a group of students who help keep Sangamon’s ever growing technological devices running smoothly.
iSWAT, which stands for I am a Student Willing to Assist with Technology, came to Sangamon after building technology coordinators, also first grade teachers, Tracy Ward and Kelli Kirby, attend a state wide conference last school year.
Ward said they got the idea after attending the ICE (Illinois Computer Education) conference. She said another school district presented on how they use students district wide to take on some of the maintenance and training functions associated with today’s technology savvy classrooms.
Both Ward and Kirby agree the amount of technology in their classrooms has increased greatly even in the six years they have taught at Sangamon. And the amount of maintenance of all the pieces, like Smart Boards, Chromebooks, and iPads, can become overwhelming for a classroom teacher.
But a group of 8 second graders are willing to help with this problem, and their numbers are going to grow after the first of the year.
iSWAT members meet afterschool every other Thursday and walk the halls of Sangamon with the tools of their trade: a can of air, dusters, screen wipes, a stool, and a clip board.
Luke Voss said he likes to be in charge of carrying the stools. He said the stools are important because the Smart Board projector is mounted from the ceiling in the classrooms and iSWAT members can’t reach it to clean it.
Eli Welch was in charge of the clipboard on one particular Thursday. He explained he uses it to write down any trouble teachers have with their equipment.
iSWAT also teaches business skills, said Kirby. She said members approach teachers and ask if there is anything they need for them to do in their classrooms. The person with the clipboard needs to write it down. This is a natural role for Welch because he said one of his favorite parts of being on the iSWAT team is talking to people.
The seemingly most sought after job on the team is being in charge of the can of air used to blow out fans on the projectors and clean the Smart Board’s pen tray of dust and debris.
“If there is dust in there, it won’t work right,” Voss explained.
Jobs rotate among the students so everyone who wants has an opportunity to use the can of air.
But cleaning and maintenance of classroom tech tools like Smart Boards and projectors, are only one part of iSWAT’s job. Students also teach fellow students how to work educational apps, and they make videos.
“They made a video that was used at the Veteran’s Day assembly,” said Ward, adding “our social worker wants them to work on some of her lessons for next school year.”
Addyson Reigart said iMovie, an app used to make videos, is her favorite app at school. She also said it gets challenging when she is given a new app to work with that she has never worked with before. This also is an important part of what the iSWAT team does.
“We upload new apps,” explained Haddie Vohs, “and let Miss Ward know if something is wrong.” On this particular day, Vohs was experimenting with ChatterPix Kids. Other students were previewing new apps before teachers introduced them in the classroom. And since team members have previewed the apps, they can fulfil another important function for the school.
“If a student is going to teach about an app, he or she really needs to know how to work the app,” Ward said. For that reason, ISWAT meetings end with a time for students to play on iPads and Chromebooks, familiarizing themselves with the apps their fellow students will learn from this school year.
A final assignment of iSWAT is to teach how to work various apps to students and teachers alike. Students teach their app during library time, Ward said.
“They teach lessons to students and teachers,“ commented Kirby. “They teach us a lot,” she added, “and they teach each other.”
“We want to make sure we are utilizing the technology as an instructional tool, not just as a toy for students,” Ward said. And the second graders who currently serve on iSWAT are more than happy to help.
This year’s group of iSWAT members started their jobs last February and have continued on to this school year.
“Last school year,” explained Ward, “we asked first grade teachers to give us the name of one student who really stood out as a tech guru.” Nine teachers gave nine names and those students were the first iSWAT members. After students return from the winter break, first grade teachers again will be asked to submit the names of their class tech guru, and 10 more students will join the ranks of iSWAT. Ward and Kirby say the thought of 18 iSWAT members is a bit overwhelming, but they feel it is important for next year’s members to be trained by current members. They also note they would love for the program to become district wide.
“Our second graders could be the iSWAT people when they move up to third grade at Lincoln Trail, and we could get our members from Middletown,” Ward said.
iSWAT is a win-win for Sangamon Elementary. Expensive technology equipment receives regular maintenance, teachers have someone who knows an app well to explain it to their students, and team members said they really enjoy their job.
“My favorite part is helping teachers with their smart boards,” said Corbin McMinn. But judging from the way he was intently focused on his Chromebook, it can safely be said he also likes learning the technology a little bit too.
