1. John Richardson, Colette Burke; st. joseph’s academy
Student-Centered, Student Run: Effective Technology Support in the 21st Century
John Richardson, Colette Burke; st. joseph’s academy

2. Mission Statement
The mission of St. Joseph’s Academy is to educate young women as responsible and unifying members of the world community.

3. History of St. Joseph’s Academy
All girls, Catholic college-preparatory school in Baton Rouge, LA
Founded in 1868 by the Sisters of St. Joseph
Established a student-run, self-maintaining 1:1 laptop program since 1999
Actively engaged in technology service since 2005

4. Student-Run Help Desk
Warranty repair shop for all vendors used in 1:1 program
Students intern through technology courses
Once trained, students work part- time after school completing warranty repairs
Compaq, IBM, Dell, Toshiba, Fujitsu
Time- and cost-efficiency. In-house repairs vs. sending off to vendor. Part-time student workers vs. full-time adults

5. Student-Centered Learning
Help Desk as authentic, real- world education
Provide real-time customer support to fellow students
Develop practical problem-solving skills in diagnosing computer issues
Self-direct workflow in repairing and quality-checking units
Hands-on learning experiences in STEM fields

6. “Not Your Average Tech Shop”
Snacks & drinks
Holiday parties
Ping pong table
Record player
Laid-back atmosphere
Inclusive culture
Interpersonal respect
Family

7. STEM Lab at SJA
Student-centered laboratory setting focused on developing solutions to real-world problems
Tools available in the lab
Sixteen 3D printers
3D scanners
Laser cutter
Microcomputers
Introduction to Engineering Design Process
Robotics
LUV

8. Help Desk as Service Project Incubator
How to use student’s talents to help others outside of school community
Next level of real-world problem- solving skills
Develop service-minded leadership and community involvement

9. Local & International Service
Post-Hurricane Katrina
On-site training & refurbishments
Wiring for internet access
Consulting, training, and support for local schools
Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico
Worked to meet technology needs in schools and orphanages
Trained local technicians to sustain operation
Arranged point-to-point wireless connections
Telemedicine capabilities
Post-Hurricane Katrina helping schools rebuild lost computer labs​
Students completed refurbishing in-house and most of on-site training​
Students participated in project to wire a local middle school for Internet access​
Provided refurbished units, consulting, training, and support to local middle and high schools as well as continuing education programs
Collaboration with local organization BRAF (???) and Fundación Fondo Córdoba
Worked with schools and orphanages to fulfill technology needs
Students trained local technicians to sustain operation
Helped broker telemedicine capabilities and supporting infrastructure (point-to-point wireless connections)

10. International Service
Managua, Nicaragua
Worked with Sisters of St. Joseph at Cantera
Set up computer labs with focus on multimedia integration
Students acting as teachers, train-the-trainer model of instruction
Nelspruit, South Africa
Coordinated with local teacher support organization, Penreach
Led technology training sessions for local teachers and students
Established computer lab and point-to- point internet connection
Worked with Sisters of St. Joseph at Cantera, an internal refugee center
Set up computer labs with focus on multimedia integration
Students acting as teachers, train-the-trainer model of instruction

11. International Service
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Government-issued laptops, but with only 1 year warranty
Collaborated with St. Joseph’s Convent to establish out-of- warranty shop
Trained students to diagnose and repair their own units
Ponce and San Juan, Puerto Rico
Working with under-resourced schools to set up computer labs as collaborative learning spaces
Networking schools for wired and wireless internet connectivity
SJA students teach maintenance and skills in a classroom setting to local teachers and students
Government-issued laptops, but with only 1 year warranty
Collaborated with St. Joseph’s Convent to establish out-of-warranty shop
Trained students to diagnose and repair their own units as well as research ways to find replacement parts

12. Common Thread in Technology Service Work
Learn by doing as well as thinking
Hands-on, real-world learning experiences
Immersed in a culture
Learn by collaborating, thinking critically, encountering issues
Engineering solutions to real problems

13. Factors to Keep in Mind Make connections with local programs
Tailor approach to needs of local leaders/teachers
Schedule trips when most advantageous for host organization
Make ample time for preparation on your end
Train student volunteers
Refurbish computers
Obtain other needed supplies/equipment

14. Questions? Please contact us to learn more
John Richardson
Technology Director, St. Joseph’s Academy
Colette Burke
Help Desk Manager, St. Joseph’s Academy