CUNY Mobile Advising Modules: a Multimedia FAQ for Students with Disabilities

To: CUNY IT Accessibility Task Force
CUNY IT Steering Committee
Re: Strategic Technology Initiative (STI) Funding Proposal

CUNY Mobile Advising Modules: A Multimedia FAQ for Students with Disabilities

Proposal:

CUNY’s Office of Academic Affairs request $3,000 from the Strategic Technology Accessibility Initiative to support the development of a multimedia resource showcasing foundational and crucial information for students with disabilities at CUNY.

This project would provide a new and important installment in the CUNY Mobile Advising Modules—a series of multimedia clips produced in 2016 through a collaboration between the Office of Undergraduate Studies and the Hostos Media Business Incubator (HMBI). So far, this series has addressed a number of critical topics for CUNY undergraduate students on the path to earning a college degree: basic skills requirements, curriculum requirements, Degree Works, and transfer processes. Additional modules on Pathways structure and guarantees are now in development. Since nearly three quarters of freshman entering a CUNY associate degree program place into at least one developmental course, and two-thirds of new baccalaureate students enter CUNY’s senior colleges as transfer students (mostly from a CUNY community college), these clips leverage technology and a highly relevant media format to deliver clear, concise messaging to students about policies and services that impact academic success.

A new module focused on Disability Services for Students would provide a useful web-based resource for incoming and current CUNY students, as well as their advisors, faculty, high school counselors, and families. By transforming COSA’s traditional Disability Services FAQ into a catchy, quick digital format, the module will serve as an introduction to the services in place for students and point them in the right direction to find answers to their questions and supports that can help them be successful at CUNY. Following suit of the existing modules, the format would be brief and to the point, with an emphasis on student empowerment and seeking out resources. It will also include information on accessing technology at CUNY, including the use of labs, devices and enterprise software. This module will be available to every student, and each campus can embed the video on its own website.

Description:

Too often CUNY students aren’t aware of essential information on topics related to their academic success, or don’t know where to find answers to their questions. The Mobile Advising Modules aim to empower students with “need-to-know” basics and resources for finding out more details relevant to their individual circumstances. These quick, fact-filled clips live on OUS’s Information for Students page and are hosted on OAA’s YouTube channel, making it easy for students—and advisers—to find and share consistent, straight-forward information that applies to every undergraduate student, at every CUNY college.

Using animation, infographics, and other digital design tools, the Mobile Advising Modules are smart, engaging, and memorable to viewers. Developed by recent alumni and current student interns affiliated with HMBI and the Hostos Media Design program, in collaboration with OAA, the videos speak directly to the CUNY academic experience and enable students to better understand and navigate their options and responsibilities.

Mobile Advising Modules were conceived with an intention to convey a message of student empowerment regarding their academic career, advising students not only on the essential basics of designated topic areas, but also to encourage students to take responsibility for their educational experience, seek out the resources they need to overcome hurdles, and find answers to their questions.

The disability services module would pull from the Central Office of Student Affairs’ existing FAQ, zeroing in on key topics that are most widely relevant and likely to be useful:

· Where and how to find information about disability services at any CUNY college.

· Eligibility and documentation.

· Accommodations and resources, including IT-related supports.

· Knowing your rights.

Working with colleagues in COSA, OAA will develop a script for a 2-minute video, to be produced by HMBI. The production process includes audio recording and mixing, digital design and animation, and video editing. OAA will review the drafted video clip, seek input from COSA, and work with HMBI to incorporate edits and finalize. OAA will also design and implement a dissemination plan to encourage colleges to embed the video on their campus websites and promote this and other Mobile Advising Modules to students, advisors, and others who would benefit.

By making the video available through CUNY’s OAA Playlist on YouTube, views can be monitored and reported, providing a feedback loop for the efficacy of the dissemination plan. OAA and COSA can also use University social media accounts to promote the video strategically, and it will also be available for use at orientation events for incoming students. Like the other clips in the Mobile Advising Modules series, the video will be closed-captioned.

Timeline:

OAA will send a final script to HMBI by mid-April, and receive a draft video back by mid-May. Edits will be made during the second half of May/early June. The final video will be posted online and shared with college Student Affairs/Disability Services offices in time for new student orientations in mid-June.

Budget:

Hostos Media Business Incubator production of one 2-minute video: = $3,000

HOSTOS MEDIA BUSINESS INCUBATOR

The Hostos Media Business Incubator (HMBI) is designed to support digital design companies formed by or with Hostos graduates, usually alums who have taken some introductory business courses and who have gone on to complete a Bachelor’s degree. Their companies will spend two years with HMBI, doing pro-bono work for the community with a team of current Hostos Media Design students as their interns.

HMBI is overseen by a director who manages facilities, intern selection, community outreach, grant applications and workshop development. The director also works with an advisory board to select participant companies and connect them with appropriate projects.

Membership to HMBI is free to selected participant companies, and will include access to a professional design facility, mail box, reception staff, conference room, and connectivity. Over the course of two years, participants will take part in business and professional development workshops under the mentorship of the director and members of the advisory board. Participants will meet milestones outlined by HBMI so as to gradually take on expenses and responsibilities. The goal is to exit the program as a viable, fledgling company.

In exchange for these perks of membership, member companies will oversee HMBI-assigned design projects, with the assistance of HMBI staff and Hostos Media Program student interns. When member companies complete their time with HMBI, they will graduate to the Bronx Business Incubator at Bank Note Buildings in Hunts Point, where they will be entitled to discounted membership.

In addition to the benefits for Hostos alumni and their companies, HMBI provides Hostos Media Program student interns with highly valuable soft skills and design awareness, and excellent preparation for full time employment as designers.

HMBI currently has two incorporated companies: The Colmena Design group and Casa Grande Studio.They are the ideal test subject for the enterprise as they are a known quantity in terms of successes, and have a wide talent pool in their group. See below for descriptions.

HMBI lays the groundwork for a philosophy of creating graduates set to be employers as well as employees, and developing media companies with a richer more diverse make up based in the Bronx community.

Colmena Design is comprised of a group of designers and developers focused on creating engaging and purposeful experiential designs for learning in the public and private sectors. This work is underscored by a dedicated attention to the potential for social and cultural impact through design, and is built on the principle that a small collaborative community has the opportunity for global impact.

Their work on tabletop games with the NSF funded Game-Framed Math & Sciences Initiative at Hostos yielded 14 games currently produced by Game Crafter productions, from which a percentage of the proceeds go toward the Ravenfox scholarship fund overseen by the Hostos Foundation. The group has co-authored a textbook on game design used by various game programs around the country, and is currently working on several projects that bridge education and play.