Instructional & Campus Technologies held its 9th annual Connected@Elon event during New Student Orientation. Created to help incoming students learn about the technology available to them on campus, Connected@Elon includes trivia games, prizes, and an interactive presentation.
Connected@Elon introduces first-year students to the various technology services available at Elon and provides them with advice on using social media and technology responsibly.
Rising Junior Kellcee Batchelor (Music) and Rising Senior Emma Boniche (Education) shared emcee responsibilities at the event. Batchelor and Boniche got the crowd warmed up with a technology trivia challenge powered by Kahoot! Questions included information about viewing course materials in Moodle, using OnTrack to register for courses, and finding technology help by either calling the Technology Service Desk at (336) 278-5200, or visiting an elite student in Belk Library.
They then turned it over to Instructional Technologist Michael Vaughn, who led an interactive presentation that provided valuable tips for digitally communicating with faculty and staff, cautioned the consequences of over-sharing on social networks, and stressed the importance of finding a healthy balance between your digital and real-world lives.
Vaughn encouraged students to view email as a letter rather than a text, reinforcing his point by reciting an excerpt from a letter written during the Civil War and comparing it to an email from a first-year student. He advised them to be brief and respectful when writing emails to faculty and staff, and to start each email by identifying who they are and how the recipient may know them.
Students were also cautioned to be careful about what they share online and with whom. In a timely lesson on privacy, Vaughn highlighted how “free” services ranging from department store WiFi connections to social networks like Facebook and Instagram aren’t actually free. They require an exchange of user data, which the companies then use to market more effectively.
With respect to online reputation and social media use, Vaughn highlighted how employers will very likely look at a student’s social media presence if they’re being considered for a job offer. He encouraged them to show restraint with the content they choose to share, especially pictures.
Vaughn ended the session by challenging the incoming students to find a healthy balance between their digital and real-world lives. This involved finding times to disconnect from their devices, get to know romantic interests without researching their social media profiles first, and showing genuine love and appreciation to their friends and loved ones.
Students walked away with an understanding of the ways they can stay Connected@Elon, the role technology plays in their lives, and the responsibilities that come along with using it. To learn more about ways you can stay Connected@Elon, visit our “New to Elon” section of the Technology Website. Watch the video recording of Connected@Elon on Elon’s Learning on Demand website.