October 2021
Everything you need to know about classroom technology at Rutgers-New Brunswick.
Synchronous Spaces Help Students Connect
DCS has been developing classrooms for distance learning for several years. However, COVID-19 - and the increased demand it created for flexible modes of attending class drove us to accelerate these efforts and expand the supply of general-purpose Synchronous Learning Spaces. This required that we create upgraded versions of our initial Synchronous Spaces that are both easier for faculty to use and ready to be deployed to many classrooms. As a result, we introduced thirteen new Synchronous Learning Spaces (SLSs) that allow faculty to use Zoom, Webex, BigBlueButton, or any other web-based conferencing tool that they might have already become familiar with during the pandemic. These SLSs have provided a connected and engaging class experience in which instructors and students can see and hear remote students alongside class content for over sixty converged classes.
While these converged classes, which students can register to attend remotely or in-person, benefited from new SLSs, we also strove to provide the ability to connect to remote participants more broadly. To meet this goal, we installed ceiling cameras and cameras mounted on classroom monitors to provide synchronous capability in twenty-five more Camera-Equipped Spaces. As a result, DCS now supports 105 rooms with some sort of synchronous capability. Read more about them on our Synchronous Spaces page.
Cameras and Microphones By Request
While Synchronous Spaces are great options for classes the planned for converged teaching or offer a great option to classes forced to go partially remote, we know that not every class is scheduled into a room with cameras and microphones. At the same time, faculty may find that because they are wearing a mask, they need a microphone in a room that does not typically have one. To accommodate these requests, DCS has increased its inventory of cameras, camera stands, and microphones. You can request to borrow this equipment for select classes or for the entire semester by filling out an Equipment Request Form.
Additional Classroom Upgrades
While much of DCS's focus over the last year and half has been adding synchronous capability, our Technical Services & Operations team has continued to refresh and upgrade existing technology. This work included the installation of a brand new Digital Classroom Flip-Top in Graduate School of Education (ED) 025A and a Digital Classroom Lectern in ED 025B. We also performed a major upgrade of the Physics Lecture Hall, the newest addition to the general-purpose classroom pool, that includes a Digital Classroom Podium and a camera.
Study Space Finder
The Chancellor-Provost's Office launched a new Study Space Finder to assist students in finding suitable spaces to work outside of the classroom, particularly those students who may be looking for places to attend their online courses. The new Study Space Finder helps you search for study locations and filter by campus and time availability, in addition to other search criteria like space type and amenities. It also gives you a map view, to easily locate the space, and lets you know where the nearest campus bus stop is located.
2021 Rutgers Active Learning Symposium
If you missed last May's all-virtual Rutgers Active Learning Symposium, you can still catch up on all of the sessions. Become a member of the Active Learning Community and you can watch video of each session, including a keynote presentation and a workshop from this year's special guest Flower Darby. Flower who helped faculty explore ways to utilize active learning in online classes.