Student Tech Team Toolkit

Creating a student tech team can be a catalyst for empowering students to develop real-world transferable skills, engage in authentic leadership of their school community, and participate in self-directed and project-based learning. Building a team of student leaders is a sustainable way to transform your school’s culture around powerful learning with technology and to create lifelong digital citizens, innovators, and problem-solvers.

What is a Student Tech Team?

A student tech team is a group of students who act as key enablers for establishing a consistent and sustained culture of powerful learning propelled by technology within their school community. It’s more than just a group of tech-savvy students; the student tech team empowers students to lead their educational technology experience, fostering self-starters and critical thinkers.

“The tech team has really impacted my future plans because tech is really everywhere and knowing how to use these resources and help others is really a big part of what I want to do in the future.” Isabella Paez, Senior student tech team member, Mater Academy Florida

Facilitated by a faculty member sponsor, a student tech team provides students with the opportunity to cultivate transferable digital skills such as:

• Digital Use, Safety, and Technology Skills: Providing essential device maintenance and technical assistance that supports a secure and reliable digital learning experience
• Digital Creativity: Creating instructional materials and process supports for students, teachers, and families
• Digital Citizenship: Modeling and promoting digital citizenship and device care strategies for the school community
• Leadership and Community Building: Leading, co-designing, and contributing to a culture of digital citizenship for students, teachers, staff, parents, and families

Some schools choose to incorporate their student tech team as a class within their master schedule; others choose to create a club that meets before school, after school, or during lunch. While the structure can look different across contexts, it’s important to create a model that works best for your unique community needs and supports all students having access to the opportunity, regardless of their background or academic standing.

Cultivating a student tech team is a key component of the Powerful Learning Propelled by Technology and Consistent Access to Devices and Connectivity domains of Digital Promise’s K-12 Digital Transformation Framework.

Check out how Mater Academy’s student tech team teaches their teachers how to use digital tools to enhance learning at Mater Academy in South Florida:

Why Should Your School Have a Student Tech Team?

“We’ve changed our school’s culture. Our school has had a bad name for years. Now, schools are calling us to hear how we do things. I am so proud to know that we have built a team that is ready to do whatever we can for our community.” Andrea Cook, Coordinator of Digital Learning, Kansas City Public Schools

They transform the classroom into a workshop for authentic and project-based learning where students can develop transferable skills that build their digital literacy and competency, preparing them to be active participants in our digitally driven society. Ultimately, establishing a student tech team in your school can be a powerful step in advancing digital equity and setting your students on a path to future success.