Effects of Internet Use on
Building Community in the
Residence Halls at Telnet College
Seth Avakian
Kelly A. Gray
Carrie A. Kortegast
Jennifer N. Scumaci
Telnet College Technology Committee
OVERVIEW of PRESENTATION
Purpose of Presentation
 Background Information
 Implications for Residence Halls
 Committee Recommendations
 Limitations of Proposal
 Other Issues to be Explored
 Conclusion

PURPOSE

To identify the issues surrounding how
community development in residence halls is
effected by the increased use of technology
 Research Questions:
– How is technology impacting the residence halls
communities at Telnet College?
– How can we use technology to support the
mission of Telnet College and enhance student
and community development?
– How can Telnet College become more proactive
and systematic in its handling of technology
related matters?
LIMITATIONS OF THIS PROPOSAL
The committee understands that this proposal
is limited in that it primarily explores
technology in terms of internet usage and its
effects on community development within
residence halls. This proposal is only one
step in the direction of learning about how
technology is effecting today’s college
students. We suggest further research be
done in other uses of technology and the
effects of such uses on all aspects of the
higher education experience.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Technology has primarily increased “opportunities for
learning-linked interaction…by reconceptualizing
scholarship, reforming bureaucracy, and planning
strategically for the future” (Van Dusen, 1999)
 A majority of students in a study done by Scherer
(1997) viewed themselves as “sociable, not
introverted or avoidant” and stated that the majority of
their contacts were still “face-to-face”
 “At least 10 percent of college students use the
Internet so much that it interferes with their grades,
their health, and their social lives…” (Reisberg, 2000)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION



(continued)
Technology's purpose in higher education is to enhance student
learning productivity by enabling them to learn more than they
would otherwise (Kuh & Vesper, 1999).
In a recent study Kuh & Vesper (2001) suggest that computers
do not have a negative impact on student development. They
suggest that "by removing the obstacles of time and place,
computers may make it easier for students to work together
more frequently" (p.96).
If technology is used primarily for distraction, playing games,
downloading music, communicating with friends, etc., it will
reduce the amount of time students are engaged in
educationally useful activities (Reisberg, 2000).
IMPLICATIONS for RESIDENCE HALLS

Background information on the internet and
community development is varied in opinion and
therefore inconclusive in determining direct
effects (i.e., internet connection has been found
to increase community development in some
instances, where it hinders community
development in others)

Technology has positive implications for students
with diverse learning styles and offers more
opportunities for students to become engaged in
active learning within their living environments
IMPLICATIONS (continued)

Residence Life Staff must be aware that students
are engaging in unhealthy and unethical
behaviors related to internet use (i.e., online
gambling, internet addiction, online harassment,
“hacking,” academic dishonesty), and must
strategize how to combat such behaviors

Residence Life Staff must be knowledgeable on
student development and college impact
theories, as well as on recent technological
trends among college students in order to be
successful in developing students and creating
communities within their residence halls
COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Annual survey of the uses of technology by Telnet
College Students.
Create a web page for each residence hall
community.
Create innovative programming to teach our
students how use technology to enhance their
education.
Train professional and student staff on the ways to
recognize unhealthy uses of technology.
Create policy with other departments surrounding
on-line harassment and other issues that will
develop as a result of new technology.
Annual Survey

“Given the constant and increasing change in technology used,
research should be implemented to be ongoing and systematic.”
(Flowers, Pascarella, & Pierson, 2000)
Develop a survey exploring what types of technology
students are using, how they are using it, how frequently, and
what knowledge about the current technology they need to
acquire in order to enhance academic performance. Randomly
sample students on a yearly basis in order to keep up with the
fast changing technology. Use the survey results to develop
new ideas and implement new programming in order for
students to use the new technology to better connect with the
campus and enhance their academic experience instead of only
using technology as a distraction and a time filler.
Web Page





To help facilitate the connection of students to
other students within each residence hall.
Use as a way to advertise programs and upcoming events both within the residence halls
and on campus.
As a way for residents to connect with hall
staff.
A fast and easy way for students to get
information about current concerns facing
college students today.
The website is a way to be both “high tech”
and “high touch.”
Web Page Sample
Telnet College
Poll of the Day
Community Chat Board
Virtual House
Residence Hall Staff
House
Photo Gallery
Up Coming Events
Connecting you with your neighbor
Reminder Room Choosing this
Wednesday, 4/17, 8-10pm in the
main lounge.
Programming

Instead of competing with new technology,
incorporate it into Residential Programming.
 Link with technology support services to help
develop programs that will teach students
how to best use the current technology for
academic support
 Link with career services to teach students
how to job search online.
 Use the internet to advertise hall/campus
events
On-line Harassment Policy

Work in conjunction with other departments
such as Judicial Affairs, VP for Student
Affairs, Provost, Computer Support Services
and President’s Office in order to develop a
policy and consequences to address on-line
harassment.
 Develop an institutional protocol for handling
cases of on-line harassment.
 Develop ways to advertise policy and
procedures in order to educate students
about resources for student’s being harassed
as well as the consequences for engaging in
on-line harassment.
Staff Training

Train staff on how to use technology to better connect
and serve students needs.
 Have on-going workshops to help both professional
and student staff identify and address unhealthy uses
of technology such as internet addiction, on-line
harassment, etc.
 Develop protocols and guidelines to effectively
handle situations involving computer fraud, online
harassment, hacking, etc.
 Have Residence Hall Staff on the watch for students
that are not connecting with other students and work
with those students on an individual basis.
OTHER ISSUES
to be explored by the committee

In regards to the previous slide, the committee recommends
further exploration the following areas:
– Forms of technology already available and becoming available to
–
–
–
–
–
–
today’s college students, other than the internet
The influences of different forms of technology on all aspects of the
higher education experience (not just residence life)
How technology effects retention and student persistence
The effects of assistive technologies on increasing access for
students with disabilities
Internet addiction
The use of technology to create a virtual community amongst all
colleges and universities around the world
The effects of technology on the academic sector (i.e., distance
learning)
CONCLUSION
As the focus of higher education shifts from that of a
teaching focus to a learning focus, technology will
continue to play a vital role. However, it is important for
higher education professionals to recognize that
technology does not exist in a vacuum - it is not effective
in and of itself. Equally important, higher education
professionals must fully embrace technological benefits
and drawbacks in order to determine how to best use
technology to enhance students’ college experiences. It is
only when we connect people and technology that
technology can be useful in promoting and fostering
student learning and development.
REFERENCES
Anderson, K. Internet use among college students: An exploratory study.
http://www.rpi.edu/~anderk4/research.html
Elling, T. &Brown, S. (2001). Advancing technology and student affairs practice. In R. Winston, D. Creamer, T.
Miller, & Associates (eds.), The professional student affairs administrators: Educator, leader and manager
(pp.81-106).
Flowers, L., Pascarella, E. & Pierson, C. (2000). Information technology use and cognitive outcomes in the
first year of college. The Journal of Higher Education. 71(6), 637-667.
Kandell, J. (1998). Internet Addiction on Campus: The vulnerability of college students. CyberPsychology &
Behavior. V(1),1
Kuh, G. & Hu, S. (2001). The relationships between computer and information technology use, selected learning
and personal development outcomes, and other college experiences. Journal of College Student
Development. V42(3), 217-232.
Kuh, G. & Vesper, N. (1999, April). Do computers enhance or distract from student learning. Research in
Higher education, 42, 87-102.
Reisberg, L. (2000, June 5). 10% of students may spend too much time online, study suggests. The Chronicle
of Higher Education [online]. Available: http//chronicle.com/free/2000/06/200006050lt.htm
THANK YOU