The internet is being used as it was always meant to be used – to connect with one another, share information and resources and to come up with collective solutions to urgent problems.
Some of the more popular phrases to emerge out of the pandemic may be “you’re on mute” or “is everyone able to see my screen?,” and while our interactions haven’t been perfect if there’s a positive to come from the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s that we’ve learned to be creative and use technology to create a bridge across physical distances.
“MSU Denver’s Club Esports team gave me hope during such a lonesome time during Covid-19. Staying involved with the Club Esports team led me to maintain good grades and be part of a great community that helped each other succeed.”
Virtual engagement allows for flexibility, as it removes geographical barriers. Students do not have to physically be on campus to participate, as they can join in from where ever they want, ultimately accommodating participants who are unable to attend in person. Students also have the ability to passively participate, deciding whether to turn their cameras on and/or utilize the chat features rather than speaking.
With virtual engagement, you have the possibility of having a broader reach, as events aren’t as limited by availability, venue size and/or location. Recordings can also extend the reach beyond those who are able to attend the “live” event, as students are able to access on-demand content at their convenience. This gives increased exposure to MSU Denver services and an opportunity to be more inclusive to external participants (a students’ friends and or family members, for example).
Virtual engagement provides an opportunity to reduce expenses, as you may not have to pay venue charges or speaker travel, accommodation or meal costs.
Virtual events also give an opportunity to confidential answers from participants through real-time results and polls.
“The most interesting thing I heard during the virtual presentation was the list of changes made to how the Writing Center operates (scheduling appointments, and how working one-on-one will work this semester). I look forward to using the Writing Center at least a few times this semester. I also enjoyed how informative the presentation from Immigrant Services was, and hearing some of the ways they support students (and their families) outside of academics.”
During your planning process for meetings, events or gatherings, consider if it’s possible to have a virtual component to increase accessibility and access.
Other considerations:
Learn about some pros and cons, and what types of things to consider, when choosing a platform to use for virtual engagement. Some of the platforms that we, at MSU Denver, have relied upon as ways to connect virtually are detailed below:
Microsoft Teams is part of the Office 365 suite. It is a collaboration platform that unifies chat, voice, video and file sharing. It’s designed to be used by anyone in a company as a way to continuously collaborate through multiple different channels. One-on-one and group chats are persistent, so users don’t need to search conversation histories, and users can also share files directly through chat sessions or perform outbound calls straight from the platform.
Similar platforms: Zoom, Google Meet, Skype
Zoom is an app that allows you to set up virtual video and audio conferencing, webinars, live chats, screen-sharing, call recordings, polls, whiteboards and more. You do not need an account to attend a Zoom meeting, but if you set up a meeting there are limitations if you don’t have an account (40-minute meetings, capacity caps, etc.)
Similar platforms: Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Skype
Facebook Live is a feature of Facebook that uses the camera on a computer or mobile device to broadcast real-time video to Facebook. Live broadcasters can decide who on Facebook can see their video and use this content to engage their audience in the moment. It can be used to do things such as live Q&As, Ask Me Anything (AMAs) or livestreaming of events, performances or gatherings with/for followers. Viewers can watch from a phone, computer or connected TV.
Discord is an app that was formerly designed to help gamers communicate while competing. Today, active users reported they use the platform for non-gaming purposes, or a mix of gaming and everyday use. The platform can be used to host online game nights, movie watch-alongs, podcasting, attending work briefings or conducting interviews. There is also no feed or algorithm, so no way for anything to go viral, but you can share your screen, listen to music and video chat with your contacts.
MSU Denver offers an opportunity to livestream large events – such as town halls, convocation, graduation, etc. – on the University’s website. For more information reach out to the University Events team at [email protected]
Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what’s going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them. You can create and join groups, shop, share photos and videos, create an event and more with Facebook.
Instagram is a free, online photo-sharing application and social media platform that allows users to edit and upload photos and short videos. You can share and promote event flyers, testimonials or event recaps on Instagram.
Twitter is like a microblog that allows you to send and receive short posts called tweets. You can share news announcements, photos and links to stories on Twitter.
LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals. You can create a profile and summarize your professional experiences to help you connect to current and future employers, and recruiters. Through your profile, you can showcase your professional life, milestones, skills and interests while also connect with, explore and learn more about businesses and companies.
YouTube is a way to store videos online and share them with others. Videos are easy to share via other forms of social media, email and websites, and they can also be embedded in other websites or shared as a private link for tutorials, presentations, announcements or how-to videos.
TikTok is a way to create, share and discover short videos. Users express themselves through singing, dancing, comedy, lip-syncing and more.
Discord used to be a way for people to easily communicate while gaming. However, it is now mostly used as a free voice, video and text chat app to hang out.
Browse a list of MSU Denver's departments, schools and colleges that are active on social media and discover which platforms you can find them on.
View MSU Denver's Social Media DirectoryMSU Denver has the ability to offer a mixture of in-person, virtual and hybrid events and engagement opportunities. Those facilitating the student engagement opportunities are empowered to determine the best delivery method based on the intended program goals and outcomes. All engagement opportunities do not need to be both in-person and virtual.
Virtual engagement opportunities are different than in-person opportunities and should not be considered less than in-person opportunities. These opportunities are intended to further enhance the experiences of the MSU Denver community.
If you find yourself in the situation where you are wanting to host a virtual event, double check the check list below to ensure you’re prepared!
Why are you hosting this virtual event? Is it a meeting? A presentation? Are you looking for collaboration? Set clear goals for yourself so that yourself, your attendees and your moderators know what to expect.
Additionally, how will you know if your event was successful? Number of attendees might be high, which is a good sign, but did they learn what you needed them to learn? A post-event survey, for example, can help you collect information from your attendees that will help you improve your event in the future. You will want to think about how you will collect this information before the event happens. This will give you time to create your tool for collecting the feedback.
What or who is going to be your target audience? How many people will be attending? Is it students only and/or an internal/external audience?
Take into account your audience and what time zone they may be in. And, think about how much time you may need for interaction and/or a Q&A, or will it be a drop-in session?
What will you do during the event? Will you need breakout rooms, additional moderators, an active chat, etc.?
Once you determine your audience size, what needs you may have in terms of chat, breakout rooms, meeting length, etc., you will want to choose a platform. Do you want a passcode or for it to be open to anyone with the link? Do you want to keep participation? Do you need an RSVP system? View our section above on platforms to help you choose which will be best for your event.
Test your platform beforehand. Make sure you know how to share your screen, use breakout rooms, ensure your settings are accurate for capacity and chat functions, etc.
Consider that it often takes more than one person to run a successful virtual event. Will you need someone to monitor the chat so that they can read questions to you as you share your screen? Will you need someone dropping resources into the chat so that you aren’t interrupted as the presenter? Do you need someone taking participation or answering questions in the chat live? Will there be an in-person component?
Show off your Roadrunner pride with our campus-inspired videoconference backgrounds!
Just because the event won’t be happening in person, that doesn’t mean that you can’t include incentives for attending, RSVPing or participating. Consider a gift card raffle, mailing swag after an event, scholarship opportunities and/or giveaways. Look to campus partners to help assist with connecting participants with the incentives.
Who is your target audience and how will you get word out to them about your event? Brainstorm and create engaging content and then consider utilizing social media channels, your website, the ‘Runner, the University calendar (Trumba), flyers, etc., to attract the right audience. Don’t forget to continually reassess and track your progress to determine if your strategies are working.
When creating advertising materials, ensure you have covered the basics in an accessible way. For more on accessibility, consider attending one or more of CTLD’s accessibility trainings on Presenting Accessible Posters and Presentation, Authoring Awesome Alt-Text, or Web and Social Media Accessibility.
Your event is complete! But that doesn’t mean your work is done. Consider debriefing with your team to discuss what went right and what you can do to improve for next time. Did you launch a survey and collect information from your participants? This would be a good time to review that information. If there’s a recording of your event available, determine where it can be housed and/or distributed (posted to social media as a recap, archived on a website, shared out with attendees, etc.).
Lastly, do you need to re-connect with your attendees after the event? Perhaps think about sending a “Thank you for attending…” type email to your participants with a list of additional resources and/or future events. Feel free to include keys points of feedback you learned from hosting the event that you will utilize to improve future events.
MSU Denver Resources:
These are single sessions or a series where participants can learn a skill(s). The presenter can have one-on-one interactions with the attendees, answer questions, share content via screen and more. For example, the Wellness Redefined series, hosted by the Health Center at Auraria, is a multiple-part series that looks at the many different factors that contribute to our overall sense of wellness. Students gain knowledge and simple skills to help.
Multi-session content that can involve community engagement through keynotes, sessions, breakouts and more. First-Generation Initiatives hosted Grad School Days interactive sessions that support making graduate school more accessible for first generation students by providing information on how to apply, financial resources, requirements, interviewing, how to find the right graduate school, and more.
Drop-in or scheduled office hours involve being present within the virtual office during a specific, predetermined time period. For example, students can meet their peer mentors virtually on Microsoft Teams! Students can “drop in” or schedule an appointment to ask questions and receive support with registration and much more.
An on demand series of episodes consisting of audio files which can be downloaded by the listener. Podcasts tend to be focused on a theme or topic. For example, GITA Hold Of Yourself is a biweekly podcast of intersectional conversations around common topics.
An opportunity for community partners to showcase their offerings and services to the Roadrunner community. The Classroom to Career (C2) Hub hosted employers and students in career fairs to help connect and network potential employers with job seekers.
A meeting for Roadrunners who share common interests and have connected with each other through a social-networking website. Campus Recreation uses Discord as a virtual place to talk and hang out. This includes hosting Jackbox Party games and playing Kahoot Trivia Challenges.
Present information or lecture on a specific topic for a larger audience. Webinars usually allow for the audience to ask questions over chat or audio. For example, the CMEI used a webinar event structure when hosting A Conversation with Professor Ibram X. Kendi on Being an Antiracist: How to be an Antiracist in April 2021.
Host a show that Roadrunners can enjoy from the comfort of their homes. The Department of Music with support from The Office of Diversity and Inclusion presented the 2020-21 Virtual Visiting Artist Series on Music, Race, & Social Justice. The series streamed live and viewers engaged with the performers.
Interested in seeing campus from the comfort of your home?
Check out our virtual tour option!The Virtual Engagement Coalition was founded in March 2020 to encourage and promote virtual engagement opportunities at MSU Denver to enhance the Roadrunner student experience.
Contact us to share your virtual engagement ideas or to provide information on virtual opportunities and resources that can be added to the website.
Contact UsDave Lamothe
Campus Recreation
Amanda McClure (co-chair)
Student Affairs
Richard Miccio
Health Center at Auraria
Camelia Naranjo
Classroom to Career Hub
Bridget Wetzel
Online Learning
Social Media
What started out as a way for people to hang out with their friends online, social media has turned into a place where the University can engage in meaningful conversation and learning environments with students, faculty, staff and community members alike. Online participation has also become an opportunity for members fearful of, or unable to attend, public meeting formats to participate.
As you consider what platform to use, think about where your audience is and how you’ll promote your event. Consider, too, that different people use different platforms, and different platforms have different features, so try switching it up every now and then to help grow your audience.
Resources to help you be successful on social media can be found below, in addition to a brief overview of a variety of social media platforms that are used here at MSU Denver.