Teaching Assistant Assistive Technology Challenge
Job Description
Teaching Assistants (TA) are needed for a 6-month long virtual “challenge” online course being taught virtually alongside MIT staff to high school students. The Assistive Technology Challenge has teams of high school students working together to learn about assistive technology (AT) design and rapid prototyping for and with people with disabilities through coursework, and then designing and building an actual AT product for a member of their communities.
Course content will be offered in three ways:
- Asynchronous online lectures and assignments
- Synchronous online lectures and design reviews
- Lesson plans and in-person activities developed by MIT staff and delivered by local team coaches
Tasks for the Design of Assistive Technology TA include the following:
- Improving existing course content for robustness and usability
- Formalizing lesson plans and videos for dissemination, including editing and publicizing updates
- Office hours and forum management for students
- Helping organize a virtual conference-style final event in the spring
Job Requirements
- Current undergraduate or graduate students in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, or other technical field, coupled with the demonstrated ability to apply talents to new fields.
- Demonstrated excellence in communication skills and the ability to convey technical concepts in a clear, concise manner to a wide spectrum of audiences are required.
- Enthusiastic interest in course development and educational instruction with teams of students.
Desired Skills and Experience
· Familiarity with one or more of the following technologies and processes: computer-aided design, 3D printing, laser cutting, machine tools, wearables/clothing design, electronics, web design
· Familiarity with design process and rapid prototyping for hardware or software
Time period: Mid-October to April
Time commitment: 6-10 hours/week
Time period and commitment are both flexible/negotiable.
Pay Rate is based upon experience.