PULSE 4

Hello RIT365 Facilitators!

• Fourth Class Plan
• Rubric Reminder
  • Optional Grading Support Sessions
• Starfish Early Alerts
• Coaching Links
• Individual Reflection Grading Sessions
• Observations
• ROAR & SOAR

FOURTH CLASS PLAN

• Reflective prompts for these can be found by clicking on “Individual Reflection” on the far left side of the main menu in myCourses. 
  • When Facilitators click on this menu option, they will be able to review and grade student submissions. 
  • When students click on this menu option, they will be able to view prompts and submit their reflection.
  • To demonstrate how to access Individual Reflections to students, be sure to select “View as Student” from the dropdown menu under your name as myCourses looks different from the student perspective.
• Use the Fourth Class Plan to introduce students to the purpose of Individual Reflections and instructions for getting started. 
  • Your primary role for this class remains facilitating reflective dialogue. Only the final 15 minutes of the fourth class will be more instructional than all other class meetings.
• Questions about Individual Reflections? Email Wendy at wsgrla@rit.edu

RUBRIC REMINDER

• Consider emphasizing that individual reflection helps students:
  • Recognize their growth and development
  • Connect experiences to personal goals and values
  • Explore questions, challenges, and successes
  • Make meaning from their first semester at RIT

• Assign Individual Reflections at the close of each “Reflect” class, due by the start of the next class meeting.
• Share the responsibility of grading. We ask that both Co-Facilitators review and grade Individual Reflections throughout the semester.
  • We encourage you to discuss your plans with each other to ensure the workload remains balanced, and to be sure students can benefit from the perspective each of you can offer.
• Remember to grade directly within the “Individual Reflection” section of myCourses using the rubric. 
  • Here is a refresher on how to grade Individual Reflections. This is also posted on the Facilitator Resources Site.
  • Be sure to follow these steps instead of marking these off as complete in the Gradebook directly. 

Optional Grading Support Sessions

• Wednesday 10/7 | 12:00-1:00 PM (Hybrid)
  • SAU A510 and Zoom
• Thursday 10/8 | 4:00-5:00 PM (Zoom)
  • Zoom

STARFISH EARLY ALERTS

• Communicates any concerns with the student and their Academic Advisor
• More people submitting the alerts: 
  • Increases visibility
  • Supports other people saying the student needs support
  • Helps see patterns
  • Increases the chance the student will get the support they need
  • Shows where they need support
• Faculty/Staff and Adjunct Facilitators have already received email reminders from Starfish. 
  • Be aware of opening and closing dates.
• Any student who fails RIT 365 should have received at least one Early Alert.
  • What if a student becomes in danger of failing after the survey closes?
    • You can send an alert (“raise a flag”) at any time.
• For RIT 365 specific instructions and sample messages, refer to the Starfish Early Alerts Guide 
  • Only the Faculty/Staff/Adjunct Facilitator will have access to Starfish, but decisions about which alerts are submitted should be made by both Facilitators.
• All students should have a report submitted.
  • No flags to raise? Open their Progress Report Survey and click “submit”. This acknowledges that you reviewed your students’ progress and lets advisors know that there are no issues for their advisees in this particular course. 
    • Pro Tip: You can also submit a “Kudos” to thank students for their contributions in class and/or for their insightful Individual Reflection submissions!
• Alert sent but the student is still struggling?
  • Continue to reach out to the student. 
  • Offer the student care, concern and flexibility. 
  • Students who are overwhelmed/struggling with their workload often focus their energy on other classes and take the F in RIT 365. 
    • Each student has the right to fail this class. While we can’t force them to pass, we can keep that door open if they are able to complete the assignments.
  • Consider contacting the student’s Academic Advisor directly. 
    • If the student is struggling in RIT 365, chances are good that they are struggling in other areas as well. 
    • Advisors may have more insight and provide recommendations.

COACHING LINKS

• Check the “Facilitators Only” section of your section’s myCourses page. 
• Each student has an individualized link for notes about their coaching meeting.

• The Facilitator who meets with the student first completes the first half of the survey, as the survey has a Coaching Session 1, and a Coaching Session 2.
• The Facilitator who meets second will complete the other half of the survey later in the semester and submits the survey. Only submit the survey once the student has met with BOTH Facilitators. 

OBSERVATIONS

• Before each observation: we’ll send a confirmation email.
• During the observation: we’ll take some notes.
• After the observation: facilitators will receive feedback.
• We will also send a post observation survey/reflection. 
• If you have any questions about observations, please contact 
  • Robyn: rmrldc@rit.edu
  • Jenn: jasyop@rit.edu

ROAR AND SOAR

• We will share the upcoming content with you so you’ll know what your students are receiving.
  • Encourage them to use the email as a reference point and guide. 
  • The goal is for students to practice navigating and wayfinding resources on their own, building skills they can carry beyond RIT 365.
• Please do not distribute this information directly to students. 
  • Direct them back to the “Roar and Soar” email so they get in the habit of finding and using these resources themselves.

Roar and Soar Week 5 (Sept. 20)

• Theme: Explore your options – Successful students take the time to explore their options and build a career path that's right for them.
• Tips: 
  • Try a self-assessment. RIT's Career Services team offer personality self-assessments to help students match their skills and interests to their major and future career.
  • Know the options to get professional experience. RIT is known for co-op, but there are a lot of ways to get professional experience. Encourage students to check co-op and experiential learning options for their major.
  • Discover immersions and minors. Now is a good time for students to start thinking about what interests they could explore with an immersion which is required for every RIT student.
• Event reminders:
  • Change of Major Fair: Wednesday, Sept. 30
    • Students can talk with academic advisors, career counselors, and representatives from all of RIT’s colleges at this event.
    • 12-2pm in the SHED Atrium
    • Registration is online
  • Immersions and Minors Fair: Wednesday, Oct. 7
    • Students can learn about immersions, minors, and double majors at this event while scoring free pizza, too!
    • 11am – 1:30pm in the SAU Fireside Lounge
  • Student Flu Shots: 5 Dates in October
    • Students should make an appointment ahead of time and bring their health insurance for these Wegmans-hosted flu vaccine clinics. If a student’s insurance is not accepted, they can still get the flu vaccine at the Student Health Center for $20.
  • RIT Events Calendar:
    • Find all events open to the campus at rit.edu/events

PRIMARY POINTS OF CONTACT 

• SAU-A510 Standard Office Hours: DROP IN!
  • Monday, Wednesday-Friday: 9-4:30
  • Tuesday: 9-10,12-4:30
• Facilitator Support:
  • Robyn: rmrldc@rit.edu | Jenn: jasyop@rit.edu 
• Course Logistics, Experience Weeks and/or myCourses:
  • Wendy: wsgrla@rit.edu 
• Supplies:
  • Hannah: hmccrp@rit.edu
• General Questions:
  • yop@rit.edu | (585) 475-6981
• Safety & Emergencies:
  • RIT Public Safety: 585-475-2853 (V/TTY) or text 585-205-8333
  • Emergencies: 911 or RIT Ambulance: 585-475-3333
  • Download the RIT Tigersafe App for quick access