DCS Pilots

DCS Pilots LogoLooking for a new teaching tool for your class? Eager to try out the latest technology, but not sure where to begin? Every year, DCS sifts through the vast amount of new educational tech to identify the most promising for use in Rutgers classrooms. At our annual Showcase, we invite members of the Rutgers community to see these tools in action and try them out for themselves. Then, over the following academic year, we work with faculty interested in trying these tools in their class as part of pilot programs. Successful pilots will be incorporated into DCS's regular offerings, while technology that faculty do not find useful will go to the scrap heap as we begin researching the latest emerging tools for next year's showcase.

Current Pilots

We are not currently offering any pilot programs. However, you can learn more about past pilots below. Many of them have "graduated" to regular services offered by DCS.

Past Pilots

CatchBox
  • What is it? CatchBox is a throwable cube microphone that is designed to be passed around the classroom.
  • How can I use it to teach? You can pass it to students who want to contribute, have students pass it to each other as part of a discussion, and more.
  • How do I get started? Request a CatchBox for your class on the Equipment Request page.
Chrome Remote Desktop
  • What is it? Chrome Remote Desktop is a web-based app that allows you to control one device (laptop, phone, or tablet) from another device.
  • How can I use it to teach? There are many ways Chrome Remote Desktop can be a useful tool in the classroom setting. It can be used to present material from a laptop, phone, or tablet without having to stand at the classroom system. It can also be used to control the Digital Classroom Podium without having to be at the podium.
  • How to I get started? Contact our Supervisor for Chrome Remote Desktop, Dan Bello. He will help you determine if it makes sense for you, develop a plan for your class, and use it during the semester.
  • Is there a video that explains how it works? Here you go
Kaltura
  • What is it? An application that can be used to create, store, manage, and share videos.
  • How can I use it to teach? In the classroom, Kaltura can be used to record lectures and student presentations, including audio, video, and PowerPoint. These videos can then be shared with students to review or saved for use in future semesters. Outside of the class, instructors can create videos and video quizzes covering lecture content so that they can devote class time to other activities.
  • How do I get started? A Rutgers NetID can be used to access Kaltura via ru-stream.rutgers.edu or Sakai. View our Kaltura Instructions or video to get started. Visit our Equipment Request page to request a web camera. Keep an eye out for our Capturing Your Class with Kaltura training session on the Workshops page.
Nearpod
  • What is it? An application that can be used on your classroom's built-in computer, a laptop, a phone, or a tablet to poll students and send presentation material directly to their devices.
  • How can I use it to teach? Nearpod can be used to gauge student understanding through live polling and quizzing. It can be used to increase student engagement by sending materials to their screen. It can aid out-of-class learning by giving them access to presentation materials outside of class.
  • How do I get started? Email James Kizhnerman, DCS's point person for Nearpod, to discuss using the app in your class.
  • Can I see it in action? Watch this video, which provides a brief overview of Nearpod.
Poll Everywhere
  • What is it? A web-based polling platform through which students can answer questions, take quizzes, brainstorm, ask questions, and more using their laptop, phone, or tablet. Watch the Student Engagement with Poll Everywhere with Poll Everywhere for a more detailed introduction.
  • How can I use it to teach? Poll Everywhere offers a way to stimulate dialogue, require students to engage with class material, gauge student understanding, provide immediate feedback, and more in environments that may not typically facilitate discussion.
  • How do I get started? Poll Everywhere may be used for free for up to forty students by creating an account at polleverywhere.com. Licenses can be purchased for use by larger classes.
Solstice
  • What is it? Technology that allows users to send images from their laptop, phone, or tablet to in-room displays, such as projectors or monitors.
  • How can I use it to teach? Solstice is an easy way to connect devices to displays without needing cables or adapters. It can also be use as a collaborative tool through which multiple students can share images as they work on group projects, compare notes, or share images related to discussion topics.
  • How do I get started? Solstice is available in any classroom equipped with the Digital Classroom Flip-Top or the Collaborative Instructor Hub and any DCS classroom in the Rutgers Academic Building. Learn more about how and where to use Solstice on our Solstice page.
Video Conferencing
  • What is it? Video conferencing is a method of connecting people in different locations via video and audio.
  • How can I use it to teach? The three most common ways that video conference has been used in classrooms is to allow a remote guest lecturer to join a class, to enable an instructor to teach from off campus, and to allow students to attend class without having to be in the room.
  • How do I get started? Visit our Video Conference page to request support for your class.
  • How can I learn more? Watch this brief video for an overview of video conferencing, attend a Video Chat in the Classroom workshop, or read an article about how one class used video conferencing last year.

Have an idea for a future pilot? Let us know! We are eager to identify technology that improves the classroom experience for Rutgers students.