Get Involved
Student Instructors
training, teaching
 
Each Spring semester, new students are trained to teach sections of First Year Colloquium. These students are from all majors and can be anyone from a second-semester freshman to a graduating senior. Read on to find out more about teaching First Year Colloquium.
 
What do student instructors do?
 
  1.  Work with faculty partner to teach First Year Colloquium
  2.  Assist a class of 25 new students in making a successful transition to Kent State University
  3.  Help new students become integrated into the academic and social life of the university
  4.  Introduce new students to the opportunities available at Kent State
  5.  Serve as a resource for new students
  6.  Teach freshmen how to use the university’s libraries
  7.  Teach students how to use FlashLine and Web for Students at Kent State
  8.  Serve as a model of successful academic and social behavior for new students
 
What are the benefits?
 
Becoming a student instructor is a great way to take advantage of a leadership opportunity. Many of the student leaders on campus were student instructors at one time, and others go on to be trainers and interns for First Year Colloquium. Students return to First Year Colloquium semester after semester to work with first year students.
 
Students who complete the training course earn elective course credit, too. Additional credit hours can be earned when a student teaches the course as well. Here are some other benefits for student instructors:
 
  1.  Earn academic credit
  2.  Acquire resume credentials
  3.  Develop avenues for networking
  4.  Develop skills in public speaking, organization and leadership
  5.  Enjoy the network of peers engaged in a common experience
  6.  Develop a close working relationship with a member of KSU’s faculty
  7.  Become part of the university community
  8.  Learn how to motivate others
  9.  Develop self-discipline
  10.  Learn how to work as a team member
  11.  Become a part of the First Year Colloquium program staff
  12.  Explore opportunities for advanced leadership
 
How am I trained?
 
  1.  The training program lasts for twelve weeks and includes three Saturday sessions
  2.  Students learn teaching techniques and classroom management skills
  3.  Covers the nine course content areas and how to use the course materials
  4.  Participants develop lesson plans and general course syllabus
  5.  Review University programs, services, resources and KSU history
  6.  Specialized training on Web for Students, electronic communication and the university libraries
 
Sounds great!  How do I apply?
 
   1. Students must be in good academic standing and must be at least a second-semester freshman at the start of each Spring semester.
   2. Students must complete an application available at Undergraduate Studies in Olson Hall
   3. Select and register for a section of Student Instructor Training course, US 20201 (2 lower division credits, S/U graded)
   4. Successfully complete the training course
 
    
 
For more information about these positions, contact:
 
Lauren Pernetti
University Orientation, Olson Hall
330.67(2.3383)
 
 
 
 
Trainers and Interns
further opportunities
 
First Year Colloquium offers students more than a great and informative class and to teach a college-level course. For students who want to get even more involved with First Year Colloquium, there are Trainer and Intern positions offered each academic year.
 
These positions are awarded course credit and letter-graded. There is an application and interview to determine students who will be selected for these positions.
 
Requirements for these positions
 
  1.  Teaching First Year Colloquium, US 10091 at least once prior to applying.
  2.  Filling out an application available at Undergraduate Studies, Olson Hall
  3.  Attending an interview with the Coordinator of First Year Colloquium
 
Trainer Responsibilities
 
  1.  Attending an interview with the Coordinator of First Year Colloquium
  2.  Actively plan and participate in the Saturday sessions
  3.  Teach a section of the First Year Colloquium Training course with a fellow trainer
  4.  Knowledgeably present and discuss content to the students in the Training Course
  5.  Hold interviews with students training to become student instructors
  6.  Recommendation of students to teach First Year Colloquium at the end of the training course
  7.  Recommend grades for trainees to the First Year Colloquium coordinator
  8.  Attend weekly Trainer seminars
  9.  Model appropriate teaching behaviors in the classroom
  10.  Maintain a positive and professional attitude
 
Trainers are selected at the end of each Fall semester and teach sections of the Training course during the Spring semester. Trainers are paired together to teach the Training course.
 
Intern Responsibilities
 
  1.  Attend FYC meetings
  2.  Meet with First Year Colloquium staff each week for an Intern Seminar
  3.  Conduct the Student Instructor Seminar once a week
  4.  Collect and review materials from Student Instructors such as syllabi, information cards , etc.
  5.  Observe student instructors teaching First Year Colloquium
  6.  Conduct individual interviews with all student instructors in your seminar
  7.  Recommend mid-term and final grades for student instructors
  8.  Collect and develop orientation course materials
  9.  Assist with Health Issue presentations, recruitment, May 4th presentations
  10.  Assist with Winter Recognition Luncheon
 
Interns are chosen to oversee the First Year Colloquium sections during the Fall semester. They act as a liaison between the professional staff of First Year Colloquium and the Student Instructors who teach the course. Much of the intern’s responsibilities include administrative tasks such as collecting grade cards and syllabi, as well as keeping instructors informed about activities occurring weekly in First Year Colloquium and on the KSU campus.
 
First Year Colloquium also engages one student intern in the Spring semester to oversee sections of the First Year Colloquium course.