About MOUSE Squad

MOUSE Squad eLearning is a members-only website, for students and teachers participating in MOUSE's student led student technical support program. if you are interested in starting the MOUSE Squad program in your school or district, please register for a MOUSE Squad Information Session.

For Students

MOUSE Squad is a school- or community organization-based, student run technical help desk.  Students who work on the MOUSE Squad are called technicians and they are responsible for fixing, taking care of, and  supporting all of the computer-related needs in their schools.  As a MOUSE Squad technician, you  are given a whole lot of responsibility and, in return, you are asked to act professionally as you  troubleshoot computer problems, clean and maintain technical equipment, and support the teachers in their regular computer use.  
 
As a MOUSE Squad technician, you might provide the following services:

  • Ticket Requests: Responding to requests to fix broken computers
  • Routine Maintenance: Clean computers, update software, and perform other tasks.
  • Projects: Improve the quality of technology use in the school.
  • Assisting in Labs: Assist teachers and students who have computer questions.
  • Training/Support: Help others use software and apply technology to classroom work. 

MOUSE Squad training provides the basic skills a technician needs to get the work done well.


For MOUSE Squad Faculty Advisors

Why MOUSE Squad?

Today’s workforce requires employees who are adept with technology and effectively use technology for work productivity, data analysis, communication, presentation, and the archiving of information.  Thus, to prepare students for success, our schools must offer frameworks that integrate such technology into the teaching and learning process.  While many teachers may be able and willing, the reality is that budget constraints make it difficult to obtain the hardware and software necessary to make technology infusion a reality.  Furthermore, even when funds are secured to purchase the equipment, the larger challenge is maintaining and supporting the technology infrastructure over time. 
 
This is where MOUSE Squad comes in.  MOUSE Squad is a cost-effective solution to the problem of inadequate levels of on-site support in schools and the need to serve the 21st century educational and professional needs of students.  Rather than looking outside the school community to create the basic level of computer troubleshooting and maintenance support needed to assist teachers in their work to integrate technology into teaching and learning, MOUSE Squad draws upon the motivation, skills, and abilities of any school’s greatest resources – its students.

MOUSE Squad provides middle, and high school students with opportunities to develop 21st century skills and apply them as they solve technical problems faced by their schools.  The program, modeled on the type of help desks that have become standard in business and industry, prepares and supports participants in the creation and operation of a student-run, school-based, data-driven, technical support help desk.
 
The core elements of the program include a comprehensive, online, standards-based curriculum that facilitates the training of student technicians in computer troubleshooting, routine technical maintenance, help desk operations, and database management.  In conjunction with MOUSECORPS, the program also provides curriculum for career readiness, including a focus on skills related to teamwork, problem solving, literacy, communication, job etiquette, etc).

Have any questions or problems? Email Us!

About MOUSE

MOUSE is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates technology-based opportunities that motivate underserved students to succeed in today’s information society. MOUSE's three main programs are MOUSE Squad, a student-driven technical support help desk program that addresses the technology needs of elementary, middle and high schools; MOUSECORPS, a youth development program designed to support the growth of leadership and career readiness for students through opportunities like advanced training, Job Shadowships, College Bound workshops, and Experiential Learning Projects (ELP); and TechSource, a research and policy initiative that provides information and leadership around critical education and technology issues facing urban districts with the ultimate goal of increasing the quality and pervasiveness of effective technology usage in public schools. Together, these initiatives support 21st century learning communities for public school students and teachers.