CS101 proctors are students who've successfully completed the Computer Science 101 course. Generally we're looking for students who scored an "A" and actively participated in the course. After they've taken CS101 as a student, they come back and help the course by serving as a student assistant.
Most CS101 sections today have a proctor. If there is a student in the room helping the instructor, chances are that they're a proctor.
There are two major roles for proctors: working with a class section and working in
Open Lab. Some proctors have served in both roles, and there is a new type of proctor that combines both roles.
In-class proctors work with one or two of the in-class course sections of CS101 offered each semester. They help assist the instructor during the lectures and exams.
The exact items you'll do will vary depending on what you and the instructor work out as best for you, but normally you can expect to do things like:
- Help students in lecture who are having trouble following along with the instructor's examples.
- Demonstrate how to perform tasks in Office while the instructor talks and moves around the room.
- Monitoring students to make sure they're on-task and paying attention.
- Help administer exams.
- Provide the instructor feedback on their lecture plans so that we can give CS101 students the best examples and material coverage possible.
If you want to become more involved, there are a lot of opportunities to go beyond the above items. Some proctors have even put together and given mini-lectures of their own. This is a great chance for students interested in going into teaching or academia to find out what it is really like to teach a group of students.
These proctors help students who come to Open Lab. Over the length of the semester, you'll work with students across all six homework projects and the MyITLab assignments. You'll also get to help administer exams.
In Open Lab, you'll always be working with at least one CS101 staff member. You never need to worry about being alone in the lab by yourself. Help is always around if you need assistance in answering a question.
Open Lab proctoring is excellent for students who like to work with others on a one-on-one basis or who like to tutor.
Hybrid proctors are a new type that combines both the in-class and Open Lab roles. Hybrid proctors normally work with a class section like in-class proctors. During about 5-6 weeks of the semester when homework projects are due, however, they help out in Open Lab instead of with their course section.
This option is great for students who want to try out both types of proctoring or who want a bit of variety in their proctoring work.
In exchange for serving as a proctor, you can earn upper-level Computer Science 490 (Teaching Practicum) credits. These credits can be applied towards graduation in most majors. (Check with your advisor for details on your program of study.)
Our scheduling and credit for proctors is built around the idea of a Proctor Unit. Simply put, you earn a Proctor Unit by doing one of the following:
- serving as an in-class proctor for one section
- helping in Open Lab for two hours each week
- working as a hybrid proctor, working with one section or in Open Lab for two hours depending on the week
The number of CS490 credit hours you receive depends on how many Proctor Units you've earned. We keep track of Proctor Units across semesters, so you'll end up with the same number of CS490 credits whether you proctor two sections in the same semester or one section in Fall and one in Spring.
| Proctor Units | In-Class Sections or Hybrid Sections | Open Lab Hours
(per week, total) | CS490 Credits Earned |
1
| 1
| 2
| 1
|
2
| 2
| 4
| 3
|
3
| 3
| 6
| 4
|
4
| 4
| 8
| 6
|
5
| 5
| 10
| 7
|
6
| 6
| 12
| 9
|
Most students take 1 or 2 Proctor Units per semester. In some situations, we will consider allowing a proctor to do more Proctor Units if they desire.
Proctor grades are largely based on students attending every session for which they're scheduled. We want you to be involved, so it's important that you be present. If you can't make a class or Open Lab period for some reason, it's your responsibility to notify the instructor.
The pass/fail grading option is what CS101 has used for proctors for many years now. If you attend regularly and help as expected, you'll receive a Pass grade for CS490. A Pass grade shows up on your transcript as a "P" and does not impact your GPA.
The traditional pass/fail grade option is required for all first-semester proctors and optional for returning proctors.
For returning proctors who excelled in their first semester, CS101 is developing a new option that will allow them to receive an "A" grade for their second and later semesters. There will be some additional responsibilities that will need to be fulfilled to earn the grade in this option. If you're interested,
e-mail Brian Powell for details.
If you're interested in becoming a proctor, we first suggest that you talk with your advisor to discuss how the CS490 credits can fit into your plan for graduation.
Once you're ready, think about what type of proctor you'd like to be. Do you want to work in-class, in Open Lab, or be a hybrid proctor and do a little of both? If you want, you can also be an in-class proctor for one section (for the entire semester, not as a hybrid proctor) and pick up additional hours in Open Lab.
Take a look at our schedules (below) to see which times are available. Generally speaking, we can only use one in-class or hybrid proctor per class section. For Open Lab, we have a target we would like to fill (up to the shaded areas) but we can basically accept proctors anytime that they are available and Open Lab is open.
Summer 2009 - First Half
| Summer 2009 - Second Half
| Fall 2009
|
|
|
|
|
Once you've figured out what times will fit your schedule,
e-mail Brian Powell to get signed up. Brian will handle your course registration for the CS490 credits.