About the SITA Program

Learn with us. SITAs can provide training and information sessions on a variety of up and coming technology topics and their implications for instructional use.

Student Instructional Technology Assistants (SITAs) are graduate and undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines who support the use of technology for instruction at The University of Iowa. SITAs work with instructors in a variety of ways:

  • One on one and group training: SITAs can provide customized training programs on a variety of technologies that Instructional Services supports.
  • Offering production assistance as well as consulting services: The emphasis of the SITA program is training and pedagogical advice; however, SITAs can undertake production work, such as building websites, setting up blogs, wikis, and podcasts, and other tasks. In this way, SITAs help get instructors over the initial "hump" involved in reaching their technological goals--for example, by helping a faculty member set up a website he or she will later maintain independently.
  • Introducing instructors to available resources: SITAs are constantly on the lookout for new technologies and information to share with our clients and campus partners. We can also provide helpful information about a variety of up-and-coming programs and services from ITS.

History

The SITA Program began as a pilot program in 2003 to provide training in web-based instructional technologies to selected faculty members. In the beginning, the program employed two graduate assistants at 50% time and worked primarily with one department at a time. Later, as ICON replaced WebCT and Blackboard as the primary course management system on campus, SITAs helped instructors move their courses to ICON and provided ICON support. More recently, SITA's focus has returned to offering advice and support on a broad range of technologies, and the group has grown significantly. Currently, 11 SITAs-two undergraduates and nine graduate students-are providing support to instructors in a multitude of departments and colleges.

Organization

The SITA Program is part of ITS Instructional Services, which supports technology support for the University's instructors. Instructional Services supports ICON, manages technology in ITCs and classrooms, provides a wealth of digital media services like video conferencing and media distribution, and much more. Find out more...