YVote initiative encourages students to prepare for the election

"Get informed and use your voice." That was the message the Instructional Technology class brought to the York College student body for weeks leading up to the November 6 general election with their "YVote" initiative.

Assistant Professor of Education Chris Luther says there was a need for information about the election process: students were confused about how to register, how to vote via absentee ballot, and how to navigate all of the political rhetoric to actually pick a candidate.

Luther challenged the Instructional Technology class with finding a creative solution for providing this information to their classmates. The students responded enthusiastically, creating a web site with resources specifically tailored to college students and first time voters. They also created videos, a Twitter account, and Facebook page to enhance communication efforts.

The project had a dual purpose, says Luther. Not only was it successful in getting the student body ready for an election, it was an important lesson for the students in his Instructional Technology class. Would-be educators need experience in incorporating multimedia and social media elements in the classroom, he says. If they don't have those emerging technology skills to demonstrate, they aren't as likely to find a job.