Utilizing Your Peer Mentor to Encourage Campus Engagement By Tammy & Doug Renalds

Instagram Reflection Idea originally developed with Peer Mentor Non-traditional approach to reflection Encourages campus involvement Peer Mentor monitors Instagram account and checks for submitted posts Posts are scrolled on screen in class on PM’s solo day

Provide an instruction handout with event & Instagram account guidelines.

Tips to Consider Remind students the account is shared, but password only for class members Posts must include name to receive credit Posts must be positive Posts must be from 2 different types of events Get permission for individual or small group pics Can use a picture of a sign, etc. if no photography allowed Peer Mentor is contact person for assignment and can encourage and inform of upcoming events Deactivate account after class ends

www.instagram.com

Our account

www.Instagram.com/fys_VOL16

Midterm Progress Check-In Overview One-day activity Assigned as homework Checks life inside the classroom (instructor) Checks life outside the classroom (PM) During “waiting time,” do future assignment

Midterm Progress Check-In Before: Presented prior to class As homework? Weeks ahead of time? Inside the Classroom Academic success? On top of Rocky Top? Outside the Classroom Sense of belonging? Feeling “at home”? After: Wrap up by emphasizing importance Early habits. Need for corrective measures.

Inside the Classroom List classes and estimated final grades Satisfied with those grades? Dropping a class 3 weeks away from that decision See instructor See advisor Class absences

Inside the Classroom Additional help What has worked? Not worked? Tutoring, office hours, etc. What has worked? Not worked? Overall view of academic behavior, strategies Longer conversation?

Outside the Classroom Connections to UT Clubs, activities, relationships? Classroom connections? 1-10 feeling “at home” and why? Overall view of academic behavior, strategies Health and wellbeing? Parental perspective (objective perspective) PM playing the objective role

Outside the Classroom Progress on Instagram Assignment? Instagram = Involvement Expectations vs. Reality Better than you expected? Worse? Longer conversation?

Your thoughts, ideas, or questions . . . ? trenalds@utk.edu drenalds@utk.edu