February 2019
A New Look for a New Year
We've begun 2019 with a digital makeover. Both the DCS Newsletter and web site have undergone major changes. Among the improvements to dcs.rutgers.edu, visitors to the site will enjoy a new responsive design that makes it easier to browse the site on any device. Among many accessibility-related improvements, those using screen readers will be better able to navigate our pages. Finally, a new method for shooting our classroom panoramas allows us to not only shoot quicker and more accurate photos, but let us create our first panoramic classroom video, which now greets visitors to our home page. Check out all the changes at dcs.rutgers.edu.
Connected Classrooms in Action
You have likely heard about the Immersive Synchronous Lecture Halls (ISLHs) from us, but have you seen them in action? If not, here's your chance. Our new video provides a close up look at the technology-connected classes on Cook/Douglass and Busch that allow instructors to teach students in both rooms at the same time. Visit the ISLH page to hear what faculty and students have to say and watch the rooms in action.
Active Learning Workshops on Tap
The spring Active Learning Community workshops kick off tomorrow with a session on developing formative assessment for use in the classroom. Our second session will explore various ways of overcoming some of the challenges of traditional learning spaces when employing active learning techniques. The third workshop invites guests to learning about Universal Design for Learning, a framework for creating flexible classes that support and accommodate a diversity of students. Learn more and register on the ALC Events page.
Save the Date - 2019 Rutgers Active Learning Symposium
Mark your calendars, the date is set for this year's Rutgers Active Learning Symposium (RALS). This annual event, hosted by the Active Learning Community, will run all day on Wednesday May 22nd in Richard Weeks Hall. This year's keynote speaker will be Research Professor Idaykis Rodriguez of Florida International University. Ida will speak form her experience studying, creating, and implementing large course design that builds out from the individual experience of different students. Panel discussions, workshops, and presentations led by faculty at Rutgers and beyond will follow. Registration will open on March 1st. In the meantime, keep an eye on the 2019 RALS page for more information as it is announced.
New Ways to Find Specialty Classrooms
Do you need a room that can help you teach remotely, screen movies, or conduct group work. The DCS web page now has new ways for you to learn about and locate specialty rooms for your class. Our classroom section now includes pages devoted to Active Learning Spaces, Screening Rooms, and Synchronous Rooms that can be used by courses utilizing video conferencing. You can also use our Find a Classroom search to view these and other rooms with special technology, including lecture capture.
Fall Tech Point Winners
We are very pleased to introduce you to our fall semester Tech Point Winners. These hard-working Support Specialists often brave snow, rain, and the awkward stares of a full auditorium of fellow-students to help troubleshoot technology issues that arise in DCS classrooms. This fall's top performing workers were:
Busch
1st Place - Yee Chen Low
2nd Place - Isaac Chang
Cook/Douglass
1st Place - Nick Santiago
2nd Place - Tom Heck
College Ave.
1st Place - Roger Sheng
2nd Place - Ken Sipe
Help Desk
1st Place - Aneta Rusanova
2nd Place - Rachel Hluchy
Livingston
1st Place - Matt Ambrosio
2nd Place - Seth Santos