A guide to getting an in-depth look at a day-in-the-life of a fellow Terp.

Get an in-depth look at a day in the life of a fellow Terp, through their eyes.

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A few years ago, the Academy (AIE) spent a whole day shadowing students and got an in-depth look at a day in the life of students. This experience challenged our assumptions about what it’s like to be a student in today’s world and reinforced the importance of taking a student-centered approach to our work.

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Now that we’re celebrating 10(+1) years, we’re doing it again and we want to do it with you!

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You can arrange to shadow any Terp you’re interested in learning about on a day that works for you both.

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So… what new perspective do you want to gain?

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What is this?

SHADOW A TERP || GET READY

Join the online community space to share how your Shadow a Terp experience is going, ask questions, and engage with others!

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Scan the QR code and log in to your UMD account to be a part of the conversation.

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Connect with others!

SHADOW A TERP || GET READY

Mark your calendar!

Put a hold on your calendar for May 1 from 3-4pm* to join AIE’s Reflect-a-palooza in ESJ 2101 (the Loft)!

This is a time to reflect solo or with your team to make sense of your interview data. The AIE team will provide guidance and tools for reflection.

*If you can’t make it, let us know and we’ll share some asynchronous reflection tools you can use!

What do you hope to learn through your shadowing experience? Setting a learning goal and brainstorming some questions and assumptions you have about your shadow-ee will help you approach the day with intentionality and remind you to practice a curious, beginner’s mindset.

Set a learning goal

MY LEARNING GOAL:

QUESTIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS I HAVE:

SHADOW A TERP || GET READY

SHADOW A TERP || GET READY

The goal is to complete the Shadow a Terp experience between April 15-26*.

Here’s what you’ll need to get ready:

• Set a goal for what you’d like to learn
• Identify who you’d like to shadow
• Schedule a day that works well for both of you (Consider availability and what your Terp will be doing - e.g. if they’re in confidential meetings all day, that might not be a great day!)
• Block off that day on your calendar
• Optional: Get in touch with anyone you’d like to give a heads up about your shadowing plans (there are tips later in the guide)
• Plan how you’ll take notes throughout the day (check out the ideas in the back of the guide!)

AIE is giving prizes for shadowing during this time! 🎉

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Let’s talk logistics

• Plan for the full day – bring gym clothes, books, or whatever supplies you’ll need to do exactly what your Terp does, all day.
• Try to do everything your Terp does with an open mind and curiosity. Seek to understand what they are thinking and feeling without judgement.
• Take lots of notes and make sketches. There are suggested frameworks later in the guide. Feel free to write directly on them and/or add extra paper into your guide.
• Come up with a quick way to share what you’re doing with those leading the classes and/or meetings your Terp attends, if appropriate. At the back of the guide, there are some explainer sheets you can tear out and give to them. Be sure to fill in the blanks first!
• If you’d prefer to send an email ahead of time, you can find examples here: go.umd.edu/shadow-headsup

Tips for Shadowing a Terp

SHADOW A TERP || GET READY

I’m Shadowing a Terp today!

In order to learn more about what it's like to be in our students' shoes (and hopefully gain some insights that will help me improve the UMD experience for them), I am shadowing a student today. The student I am shadowing is ______________________________, who is enrolled in your course.

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As ____________________’s shadow, I plan to do everything they are doing (hopefully this student will be fully and actively participating!), while also trying to take notes on what I observe. My intent is to learn about this student’s experience — NOT to evaluate you or your course in any way. I will be sharing my experiences with other colleagues on campus also participating in this challenge.

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Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns or particular "rules of engagement" for my shadowing time in your course. I appreciate your understanding as I engage in this challenging empathy-gaining exercise!

I’m Shadowing a Terp today!

In order to learn more about what it's like to be in our students' shoes (and hopefully gain some insights that will help me improve the UMD experience for them), I am shadowing a student today. The student I am shadowing is ______________________________, who is enrolled in your course.

​

As ____________________’s shadow, I plan to do everything they are doing (hopefully this student will be fully and actively participating!), while also trying to take notes on what I observe. My intent is to learn about this student’s experience — NOT to evaluate you or your course in any way. I will be sharing my experiences with other colleagues on campus also participating in this challenge.

​

Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns or particular "rules of engagement" for my shadowing time in your course. I appreciate your understanding as I engage in this challenging empathy-gaining exercise!

I’m Shadowing a Terp today!

In order to learn more about what it's like to be in our students' shoes (and hopefully gain some insights that will help me improve the UMD experience for them), I am shadowing a student today. The student I am shadowing is ______________________________, who is enrolled in your course.

​

As ____________________’s shadow, I plan to do everything they are doing (hopefully this student will be fully and actively participating!), while also trying to take notes on what I observe. My intent is to learn about this student’s experience — NOT to evaluate you or your course in any way. I will be sharing my experiences with other colleagues on campus also participating in this challenge.

​

Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns or particular "rules of engagement" for my shadowing time in your course. I appreciate your understanding as I engage in this challenging empathy-gaining exercise!

Throughout the day jot down what you notice your shadowee thinking, saying, feeling, and doing.

Think / Say / Feel / Do

THINK

SAY

FEEL

DO

SHADOW A TERP || NOTE TAKING

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Map emotions / mood / energy over time. Add a quick sketch and note about what’s happening at each point. Bonus: map another y-axis using a dashed line (e.g. mood & energy).

Journey Mapping

SHADOW A TERP || NOTE TAKING

+

–

EMOTION / MOOD / ENERGY

TIME

Rather than taking pictures, sketch memorable moments during your day of shadowing.

SKETCHES

NOTES:

NOTES:

SHADOW A TERP || NOTE TAKING

Rather than taking pictures, sketch memorable moments during your day of shadowing.

SKETCHES

NOTES:

NOTES:

SHADOW A TERP || NOTE TAKING

Rather than taking pictures, sketch memorable moments during your day of shadowing.

SKETCHES

NOTES:

NOTES:

SHADOW A TERP || NOTE TAKING