1Using 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

2Session 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

3

University of Baltimore

4 Year -Public USM Institution founded in 1925Students

Total enrollment: 6,518Undergraduate: 3,526Graduate: 1,972Law: 1,028

4

Coppin State University

4-year University

Founded in 1900

Located in Baltimore City

Approximately 4,000 students

Award winning Information Technology Division

5

And No, You’re Not Seeing Double…

We’re Identical Twins!!!!

”

“6

Up Next

TECHNOLOGIES THAT CAN HELP YOU COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH STUDENTS!

And they are at low or no cost to you!

7When it comes to technology use I fall under the _______ category.

A. Beginner (I still have trouble turning on a

computer)

B. Intermediate (I can complete basic tasks using

technology)

C. Advanced (I can do it all and train everyone else how

to do it also)

D. Tech Guru ( need I say more?)

E. I’m old school, I use the pony express and paper and

pencil to complete tasks, also wish that SMART phones

were never invented! (YIKES!!!)

Beginner (I s

till have

trouble...

Intermediate (I

can co

mplet...

Advanced (I

can do it

all and...

Tech G

uru ( n

eed I say m

ore?)

I’m old sc

hool, I use

the pon...

0%

60%

0%0%

40%

8QR (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. email)

Easy to make (most QR generator sites are FREE, just require a sign-up)

9What 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 emailQuick

Road

Quick Resp

onse

You talke

d about this?

Umm…I was s

ending a quick

...

0% 0%0%

100%

10

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

11

Webinars FREE Convenient

Did I mention they’re FREE (most)? No cost to your department!

I love Financial Aid!

12

Webinars Recommendations

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 LMS’s have software that you can use to hold a synchronous session with chat, video, and microphone enabled features

13

Webinars should be long and drawn out.

A.TrueB.False

True

False

100%

0%

14

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 school’s site or you YouTube page

You can also use lecture-capture software (these sessions are archived)

15I have become a technology lover!

A.TrueB.False

True

False

16%

84%

”

“16

Stay Tuned….Heather’s Up Next”

Creating the Right Recipe-Using Technology Effectively in Your Financial Aid Department

17

FAFSA: UB's FAFSA Initiative 2014-2015

• 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

18When does the 2014-2015 FAFSA come out?

A. December 25, 2013

B. October 27, 2014

C. January 1, 2014

D.Who knows the government

might shut down again? D

ecember 2

5, 2013

27-Oct-

14

1-Jan-14

Who knows t

he government..

.

0%8%

92%

0%

19

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

Get students to listen with videos

20Use 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

21If We Spoke in #Hashtags

JT AND JIMMY FALLON #HASHTAG

22

Any Questions???

23

Contact Information Heather Owens, University of Baltimore Email: howens@ubalt.edu

Holly Bielak, Coppin State University

Email: hbielak@coppin.edu