Cousins reports that her students are having a ball. They are also helping her with the Ballard AR Program Web page, publishing research, doing interviews, writing book reports, and more. They have even published links related to science units for the classroom teachers. Along with acquiring skills and additional knowledge and refining social skills, being a tech team member can be a self-esteem builder for the participants. It keeps them interested and involved in school.
Students serve both the teacher and the student in the classroom.
Not only do they work with software with the student and teacher, but they also help maintain the computers in the classroom. Another plus according to Cousins is that tech team members are excellent role models for the rest of the school community. Students are able to receive help from someone in their peer group rather than from a teacher. Younger students are inspired to join the tech team. As students become increasingly knowledgeable, they may take on more responsibility.