Student Engagement Goes Virtual with Technology Assist

It’s no secret education looks different these days. Tulsa Community College, like many higher education institutions, is experiencing a new way of learning and teaching while maintaining six feet apart, virtual services, Zoom appointments, online classes and face masks.

TCC, like many other community colleges, is accustomed to innovating without a captive audience on campus. Initially, it may appear the connection we have with our students has been impacted. But I believe technology is bridging that distance, as we pivoted to a digital world.

We Aren’t Re-inventing the (Technology) Wheel

In this virtual world, it is more important than ever to be where your students are. That means leaning into the social media platforms where students are already spending hours each day. Student Life quickly realized we needed to be accessible by offering virtual programs in real-time. TCC has embraced a “live-at-5” experience where we have an employee or student live multiple times a week. From a student engagement perspective, we have used trivia games, live DJs, character paintings and more. We saw our social media engagement increase more than 200% as the Summer semester began, historically a time where engagement declines. Moving into the Fall semester, our numbers have continued to increase on our social media platforms.

Taking It Back to the Basics

Institutions are “going back to the basics” when it comes to communication with students. And that means sending snail mail to their home.TCC found inspiration with the popular subscription boxes like BarkBox, Sock Fancy, Hello Fresh. We mailed physical packages designed to build a relationship with the student while they were using digital resources.These packages contained headphones to enhance learning experiences, QR codes for quick access to information and digital mental health resources and more. Plus, we tried to cater to students with different engagement and learning preferences allowing TCC to connect with a multitude of generations. Of course, the overall goal was to lead students to the technologies and resources we provided, whether on campus or through virtual services.

Graduation Through Augmented Reality

In the Spring, as our May 2020 commencement grew closer, it became clear students would not be graduating in-person with a traditional ceremony. Still, TCC wanted the students to feel celebrated. The College mailed caps and gowns to the students, along with a fun, interactive experience. Through collaboration with the TCC Marketing & Communications Team and a third-party vendor, we created a graduation ceremony they could experience with the help of their smart phone. Students scanned a QR code to see a virtual pre-recorded graduation ceremony. “Pomp and Circumstance” played as TCC President & CEO Dr. Leigh Goodson walked onto the virtual stage to share her comments along with the address from the keynote speaker. The final piece of the virtual graduation ceremony was the reading of all the graduates’ names.

Community Colleges Innovate Out of Necessity

TCC is an urban, multi-campus, non-residential college where 100% of our students commute to campus each day. The College prides itself on providing equitable and affordable education to all students. One in three of our students are first-generation college students. Nearly half are racial or ethnic minority students.

We knew of the disadvantages many of our students' face, especially those from underserved and underrepresented populations. The pandemic widened the digital divide and equity means access to technology. When we pivoted to online learning in the Spring, and computer labs and libraries were no longer available, TCC quickly responded by providing Wi-Fi access in our parking lots, checking out free Wi-Fi hot spots and computers for home use. Food and clothing are also a concern for our students. With limited resources open on campus, we developed a food and clothing distribution where students could pick up what was needed as they exited the computer labs.

Since TCC opened its doors in September 1970 as Tulsa Junior College, now Tulsa Community College, we have relied on innovation and unique strategies to engage students out of necessity. This current environment challenges us to build a virtual community and technology is helping so our students can succeed.