Using Technology to Engage Effective Communication in Your Aid Office! Heather Owens, Federal Programs Manager and PeopleSoft Applications Technician, University of Baltimore Holly O. Bielak, Instructional Technologist, Coppin State University 1

Session Agenda Technologies that can help get the word out QR Codes Social Media Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (#Hashtags) Videos/Webinars Lecture Capture (Live feature) Screencast-o-matic YouTube Page Applying technology to Financial Aid Realm 2

University of Baltimore 4 Year -Public USM Institution founded in 1925 Students Total enrollment: 6,518 Undergraduate: 3,526 Graduate: 1,972 Law: 1,028 3

Coppin State University 4-year University Founded in 1900 Located in Baltimore City Approximately 4,000 students Award winning Information Technology Division 4

And No, Youre Not Seeing Double… Were Identical Twins!!!! 5

Up Next TECHNOLOGIES THAT CAN HELP YOU COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH STUDENTS! 6 And they are at low or no cost to you!

When it comes to technology use I fall under the _______ category. A. Beginner A. Beginner (I still have trouble turning on a computer) B. Intermediate B. Intermediate (I can complete basic tasks using technology) C. Advanced C. Advanced (I can do it all and train everyone else how to do it also) D. Tech Guru D. Tech Guru ( need I say more?) E. Im old school E. Im old school, I use the pony express and paper and pencil to complete tasks, also wish that SMART phones were never invented! (YIKES!!!) 7

QR (Quick Response) Codes Students can scan QR code(s) with QR code reader A scan takes users to a website, image, contact info, Facebook, Twitter and the list goes on…you name it, you can create a QR code for it! Use on advertising items across campus or in electronic format (i.e. ) Easy to make (most QR generator sites are FREE, just require a sign-up) 8

What does the QR stand for in QR code? A. Quick Road B. Quick Response C. You talked about this? D. Umm…I was sending a quick 9

Social Media Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram-all use #hashtags Use #hashtags to track common subjects/topics Have department(s) host #hashtags of the week, month, etc… –offer prizes Tweet of the Week #FAFSA, #FinAid, #Loans 10

Webinars FREE Convenient Did I mention theyre FREE (most)? No cost to your department ! 11 I love Financial Aid!

Webinars Recommendations 12 Host weekly, monthly webinars, especially during peak enrollment periods on specific topics, such as completing the FAFSA, using StudentLoans.gov. (topics relevant to your purpose) Keep them short and to the point! Use resources you already have on campus (Most) lecture capture software have a Live webcasting feature Blackboard and other LMSs have software that you can use to hold a synchronous session with chat, video, and microphone enabled features

Webinars should be long and drawn out. A. True B. False 13

Videos You can host your own YouTube page for FREE! Use resources such as Screencast-o-matic, or other video recording software, to record short tutorial videos and upload to schools site or you YouTube page You can also use lecture-capture software (these sessions are archived) 14

I have become a technology lover! A. True B. False 15

Stay Tuned….Heathers Up Next Creating the Right Recipe-Using Technology Effectively in Your Financial Aid Department 16

FAFSA: UB's FAFSA Initiative QR code links to fafsa.ed.gov Posters will be placed around campus for students to be encouraged to complete FAFSA Campaign to earn UB dollars February 2014 Completing FAFSA Attending Financial Literacy Sessions 17

When does the FAFSA come out? A. December 25, 2013 B. October 27, 2014 C. January 1, 2014 D. Who knows the government might shut down again? 18

Most students do not want to read a bunch of text on a website Videos help simplify processes for students Federal Student Aid (studentaid.ed.gov) has free YouTube videos you can use on your website to walk students through the Financial Aid Process 19 Get students to listen with videos

Use the pound sign…I mean #hashtag Start a campaign with #hashtags Randomly select students who use specific financial aid related hashtags to win bookstore gift cards and school spirit merchandise 20

If We Spoke in #Hashtags JT AND JIMMY FALLON #HASHTAG 21

Any Questions??? 22

Contact Information Heather Owens, University of Baltimore Holly Bielak, Coppin State University 23