UConnect

What is UConnect?
UConnect is USF's online community for first year students. We believe it is important to incorporate UConnect into the UE curriculum. First-year students who participate in USF's online community are able to create a profile, establish friendships with new and current students, learn about available campus resources, and read articles on common first year challenges. This site is a great way for you to keep in touch with your students while utilizing the new student transition content contained in the site as part of your class curriculum (articles, surveys, videos, etc).

Visit www.uconnect.usf.edu to register for UConnect. When you arrive on the site, click on the blue button in the middle of the page ("Sign Up Today"). Follow the instructions in order to register. You can only use your usf.edu email address on UConnect. All communication from the site will be sent to your usf.edu email address.

Getting Acquainted with UConnect

• UConnect Guide - This is a handy reference to what the different sections of UConnect offer and some ideas of how to use them in class.
• UConnect Flyer - This is a simple flyer created by New Student Connections to provide some very basic information on Uconnect. Consider making some copies to share with your students in class.
• Features Tab - The Features tab now includes a filter specifically for UE instructors. It highlights articles that deal with the topics we cover in UE. This is a great resource for articles and videos geared specifically at the UE curriculum.
• UConnect Video - Show this video in class while you are introducing UConnect to help students understand its purpose and features.

Creating Your Instructor Profile
Each UE instructor has been pre-registered for access to the site. To set up your profile, go to www.uconnect.usf.edu and click on the blue button labeled “Sign Up Today.” If you have any problems here, please email Justin Larsen at larsen1@usf.edu. Once logged in, click on “Your Profile,” and then click on “Edit Your Profile” on the center of the page. Here you can upload a picture and create your profile. Please encourage your students to do the same!

Creating your UE Class Group
On the left-side tool bar, click on Groups. Then, on the far right hand side, click “Create a Group.” It is recommended that you name your class after the instructor (example, Rocky Bull’s UE Class). You can then select “public” if you would like anyone to be able to join or “private” if you would like to monitor who requests entrance into the group. Now you are ready to find and add your students, or you can wait for them to add you. Inviting them into the group can be a great way to encourage interaction and discussion within the class outside of Canvas. You and others can easily get information about events, deadlines, etc. to all of the members of the group.

Finding Your Students
Return to the homepage. Find the Search menu on the upper left hand side. You can now simply type in your student’s first and last name, and he/she should appear once you click submit. You can verify this by looking next to the user’s screen name and seeing if the student’s first and last names are accurate with your list. Invite them to be your friend, and then you may invite them into your group.

Utilizing UConnect’s “Features” in your Lesson Plans
Click here for a list of recommended UConnect articles, videos, and self-tests that align with the UE curriculum. To find these features, you can browse the “Features” tab, or you can simply type in the article name in the search bar (upper right hand corner). It is up to you whether you would like to have the students utilize these features in class or on their own, but most are excellent sources of “discussion-starters” (especially the videos and self-tests).

Still not sure how to use UConnect with your class?
How about sending a personal welcome message to each of your students? Most students would love to hear from one of their instructors before classes begin - what a great way to kick off your mentor role with your new students! Just type in each student's last name in the Search field on the People page. If you can't find them, it might mean they have not created a UConnect profile yet. We ask that when you see them in class, you encourage them to create their own profile if they have not already done so.

Questions or Suggestions?
If you or any of your students have technical difficulties with UConnect, please email Justin Larsen (larsen1@usf.edu) or call the Office of New Student Connections at 813-974-2896. Questions about UConnect lesson plans should be directed to Melissa Rathburn.