Subject: [IFETS-Discuss] Why not hire student assistants?
mharrsch@oregon.uoregon.edu
Date: Sat 17 Jun 2000 - 04:09:22 MEST
From: mharrsch@oregon.uoregon.edu Subject: [IFETS-Discuss] Why not hire student assistants? Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000 19:09:22 -0700
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In discussing the steep learning curves of some multimedia development
tools, Paul Pavlik wrote: "Why not hire student assistants to do alot of
this work?"
Although I agree with Paul that some students are particularly talented in
the use of technology tools, we have had less than satisfactory results
hiring student assistants to create web or multimedia materials. It has
been my experience that designing coursework requires intense collaboration
with the instructor, an understanding of the learning process and mature
communications skills. Web site design frequently involves understanding
organizational structure, the political environment, and competitive market
conditions. Few students would have sufficient life experiences to bring
this degree of professionalism to the development process. Furthermore,
student schedules are often erratic and hopefully, they graduate and move
on. Then you are faced with finding someone else with similar talents who
can maintain or modify systems developed by those who have left, usually
with little or no documentation. I think educational institutions are all
too frequently lulled into this false sense of cost effectiveness by relying
on "cheap" student labor whether it be for technology product development or
research.
Mary Harrsch
Network & Information Systems Manager
College of Education
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
(541) 346-3554
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~mharrsch/
Commentary Section Editor
The Technology Source
http://horizon.unc.edu/ts/
A free refereed web periodical that features
articles on methods and efforts to infuse technology
into educational organizations.
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