From: Deborah Drago-Leaf Date: September 21, 2023 Subject: Pulse 4: Portfolios and More
Greetings RIT 365 Facilitators!
Congratulations on completing the first PDR cycle! We’ve heard fantastic feedback from many of you and are eager to hear more. Please take time to read this message thoroughly as it contains answers to many frequently asked questions.
In this issue:
On-Demand Training deadline approaching
Portfolio reminders and guidance
myCourses Support
Starfish Early Alerts
Coaching Links and guidance
Tips & Tricks
ON-DEMAND TRAINING If you have not already done so, please complete your required On-Demand Training requirements. Here is a link for the On-Demand Module This module should be completed no later than 9/29. For Training Specifics visit the Training Flowchart
PORTFOLIO REMINDERS
With the first PDR cycle wrapping up, here are some reminders about Portfolios:
- Portfolio reflections are due one week after the Reflect class meeting (i.e., by the next
Plan class).
- Prompts live within the content section of myCourses, with a shortcut on the myCourses homepage.
- Refer to grading guidelines and training resources for how to enter grades. Remember
that the rubric lives within the gradebook.
- Grading resources can be found on the Facilitator Resources page and in the
“Portfolios” section of your Reference Handbook, starting on page 50
- All grading should be shared between the Co-Facilitators. How you divide it up is up to you, but all students should receive feedback from both Facilitators throughout the semester.
STARFISH EARLY ALERTS
Faculty/Staff Facilitators will receive email reminders from Starfish to complete the first
round of Academic Progress Reports (Early Alerts). The survey is now open and closes 10/8.
Refer to the Step-by-Step guide available on the Facilitator Resources website and also on
pages 71-76 of the Reference Handbook to complete the survey.
Reminder: although the Faculty/Staff Facilitator will be the only one with access to Starfish, decisions about which alerts are submitted should be made jointly by both Facilitators.
!! IMPORTANT !! Wait to submit your responses until after the first Portfolio due date
has passed. That way you can include whether or not they have submitted the
portfolio as part of the alert.
A message from the Provost about the importance of Early Alerts: Any Starfish alert message you send to a student is also copied to the student's advisor; if multiple faculty generate alerts for a student, we can more quickly identify those students in need of significant support. In other words, using Starfish can increase the impact of your message and help identify students who may be struggling in multiple courses.
COACHING LINKS All links are live! Check the “Facilitators Only” section for your myCourses page. Each student
has an individualized link.
Facilitators share in the notetaking for each student’s coaching sessions
-the Facilitator who meets with the student first completes the first half of the survey,
-the Facilitator who meets second will complete the other half of the survey later in the semester.
Only “submit” the survey once the student has met with BOTH Facilitators. You will not be able to revisit these notes after you submit.
IF A STUDENT HAS A HEALTH CRISIS It can be scary when a student has a health crisis, such as a seizure or fainting, during your class. You are not expected to be a medical expert, just to take quick action as necessary.
Tell one student to get help (front desk of the building).
One Facilitator cares for ill student, one facilitator leads the rest of class
Call RIT Public Safety at 585-475-3333. Answer any questions and follow their directions as much as possible.
Give the student space and privacy.
Ensure the student is safe, in the care of medical professionals, or able to get home, then continue class.
As appropriate, check in with class members as emergencies may be triggering for some students who might need to process the experience with the class or a professional.
The TIGERSAFE app is the official safety app of RIT that provides students, faculty and staff with added safety on campus. This is a quick and easy way to request assistance and send your exact location to the campus EMT. The app is available on the App Store and Google play.
BACK UP DO EXPERIENCES
In rare instances, miscommunication and confusion can lead to class sections not connecting with their assigned experience host. In the case that this happens, Facilitators can use back up experiences outlined on page 21/23 (labeled page 35) of the Facilitation Activity Guide.
NEW OFFERING:
TECHNOLOGY Q & A SESSION:
Got a technology platform question? We’re offering assistance navigating the tools to support your class including myCourses, Starfish, SIS (Student Information System), and Campus Groups. Join our zoom to get the answers you need.
Thursday 9/28, 9am https://rit.zoom.us/j/99029852127
For questions that can not be answered by visiting the Facilitator Resources website, feel free to contact one of us as follows.
PRIMARY POINTS OF CONTACT
ÔùÅ Facilitator general questions:
Deborah (faculty/staff, ddlyop@rit.edu) or Robyn (peers, rmrldc@rit.edu)
