Schedule Webex Meetings Using Google Calendar
2021-02-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Learn how to schedule your meetings and invite guests from Google calendar. We will also review how to access and share recordings, and view attendance reports from ramapo.webex.com, as well as best practices.
Pedagogy Connection: This online learning platform is ideal for online and hybrid courses. Webex enables students to collaborate online, present research, and participate in chats and forums. Instructors are able to use the platform as a vehicle for delivering quality online synchronous instruction through the microphone/webcam, screen sharing, polling, and much more.
Open to everyone.
Presenter: Trish Williams
Register

Apple User Group
2021-02-19 12:30 - 13:30, 2021-03-19 12:30 - 13:30, 2021-04-16 12:30 - 13:30
Join other Apple users on campus to share knowledge and learn more about Macintosh computers, iPhones and iPads. Topics of discussion will be decided by the group.
Open to everyone.
Facilitator: Trish Williams
Register

LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor Instructor Training
2021-02-22 14:00 - 15:00, 2021-02-25 13:00 - 14:00, 2021-03-31 12:00 - 13:00, 2021-04-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2021-04-08 15:00 - 16:00, 2021-04-14 12:00 - 13:00, 2021-04-21 14:00 - 15:00, 2021-04-27 13:00 - 14:00 and 3 more dates
This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The session provides a detailed demonstration of both applications, including enhancements that make Respondus Monitor even more effective and easy to use.
Open to faculty and staff.
Presenter: Professional Respondus Trainer
Register

Faculty Development Day
2021-02-24 13:00 - 16:00
Wednesday, February 24 from 1 – 4 p.m. is Faculty Development Day. This is a concentrated block of time for instructors to join together, discuss teaching, and develop their skills. Multiple offerings will be scheduled at the same time to provide as many opportunities for participation as possible. All are encouraged to attend! Faculty Development Day is co-sponsored by the Faculty Resource Center and the Instructional Design Center (IDC). However, other groups on campus are encouraged to offer development opportunities on this day as well!
Schedule

1-4 p.m.
Faculty Present a Canvas and Virtual Learning Showcase — Register

1:00-1:30: Fariba Nosrati
1:30-2:00: Joost Monen
2:00-2:30: Sharon Leathers
2:30-3:00: Michael Bitz
3:00-3:30: Ben Neill
3:30-4:00: Jeremy Teigen

1-2 p.m.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Information Session — Register

2-3 p.m.
Best Practices for Virtual Delivery of Math & Quantitative Courses— Register

3-3:30 p.m.
Faculty Resource Center (FRC) – Advisory Board Interest Meeting — Register

3:30-4 p.m.
Classroom Management with Webex Room Kits — Register

Faculty Present a Canvas and Virtual Learning Showcase
2021-02-24 13:00 - 16:00
Ramapo faculty members share their dynamic Canvas course sites and innovative approaches to virtual learning. Each faculty member will present for 30 minutes on their Canvas techniques and ideas for helping students stay engaged, connected, and organized in the virtual learning environment. Register for this session and use the same link to attend any of the 30 minute presentations. This event is part of Faculty Development Day and is sponsored by the Instructional Design Center.
Presenters:
1:00-1:30: Fariba Nosrati
1:30-2:00: Joost Monen
2:00-2:30: Sharon Leathers
2:30-3:00: Michael Bitz
3:00-3:30: Ben Neill
3:30-4:00: Jeremy Teigen
Register

Canvas Teaching Circle
2021-03-04 13:00 - 14:00
This teaching circle focuses on the use of Canvas. Participants will share their experiences with Canvas, including their successes and challenges. We will also review the Canvas tools for content delivery, assignments, and grading.
Pedagogy Connection: Canvas is Ramapo’s Learning Management System. This workshop guides instructors on how to use Canvas as a tool for delivering and managing assignments, facilitating group work, and enhancing the student experience in the classroom.
Open to faculty and staff.
Facilitator: Professor Michael Bitz
Meeting Schedule (be sure to register for each date)

Thursday, March 4, 1-2 p.m.
Thursday, April 1, 1-2 p.m.
Thursday, April 29, 1-2 p.m.

Register

Tech Tools and Resources for Creative Assignments
2021-03-11 13:00 - 14:00
Enabling students to synthesize the content in creative ways helps them to stay engaged in the course and further the depth of their understanding. Topics include storyboarding, digital narratives, infographics, flowcharts, and mapping. These are free, web-based tools that can be aligned with practically any course content.
Pedagogy Connection: This workshop presents strategies and resources to increase student engagement and content acquisition through the pathway of creativity.
Open to faculty and staff.
Presenter: Professor Michael Bitz
Register

How To Use Webex 101 for End Users
2021-03-15 11:00 - 12:00, 2021-04-15 11:00 - 12:00
This Webinar workshop will review the basics of WebEx. This includes how to Join a Meeting, how to Schedule a Meeting, and functionality in the meeting.
Open to faculty, staff and students.
Presenter: Professional Webex Trainer
Register

Get Up and Running with Webex Meetings
2021-03-18 13:00 - 14:00
This session will cover Webex Meetings and will include a review of meeting basics. such as how to schedule, join, and functions within a meeting. It will address best practices, and tips for educators and will highlight new features capabilities. Webex meetings can be used to teach synchronous class sessions, as well as other virtual meetings.
Pedagogy Connection: This online learning platform is ideal for online and hybrid courses. Webex enables students to collaborate online, present research, and participate in chats and forums. Instructors are able to use the platform as a vehicle for delivering quality online synchronous instruction through the microphone/webcam, screen sharing, polling, and much more.
Open to everyone.
Presenter: Salina Neuhaus, Professional Webex Trainer
Register

Get Started with Webex Events and Teams
2021-03-25 13:00 - 14:00
This session will cover Webex Events and Teams. Events are used for larger scale, auditorium style events where you want to limit how the attendees participate. It will include a review of Webex Event basics, such as how to schedule, join, and functions within an Event. It will address best practices for hosts. Additionally, we will review Webex Teams. Teams provides a collaborative, persistent environment organized into Spaces and Teams. Teams allows for both asynchronous and synchronous features. Teams allows chat discussion, sharing of files, whiteboards, links, launch Webex Meetings, and more.
Open to everyone.
Presenter: Salina Neuhaus, Professional Webex Trainer
Register

Canvas Teaching Circle
2021-04-01 13:00 - 14:00
This teaching circle focuses on the use of Canvas. Participants will share their experiences with Canvas, including their successes and challenges. We will also review the Canvas tools for content delivery, assignments, and grading.
Pedagogy Connection: Canvas is Ramapo’s Learning Management System. This workshop guides instructors on how to use Canvas as a tool for delivering and managing assignments, facilitating group work, and enhancing the student experience in the classroom.
Open to faculty and staff.
Facilitator: Professor Michael Bitz
Meeting Schedule (be sure to register for each date)

Thursday, April 1, 1-2 p.m.
Thursday, April 29, 1-2 p.m.

Register

Get Started with Qualtrics Online Surveys
2021-04-06 13:00 - 14:00
Create your Qualtrics account and get an overview of Qualtrics so you can begin your first survey. Learn about the available question types, survey options, methods of distributing your survey, and viewing survey reports.
Pedagogical Connection: Survey development has a wide range of pedagogical applications. Instructors can develop surveys to ascertain student feedback on course content Surveys can also serve as assessment and data collection tools. Qualtrics surveys have extensive options that can help instructors tailor the surveys to their specific needs.
Open to faculty and staff.
Presenter: Trish Williams
Register

Collaborating with Google Docs, Drive and Slides
2021-04-15 13:00 - 14:00
Google Docs, Drive and Slides are part of the G Suite of applications included with Gmail. This workshop will focus on the Google Docs text editor, where you will get hands-on experience creating, and editing a document with others. Google Slides will also be demonstrated for creating and sharing slideshow presentations. Learn how to find and manage Docs and Slides on your Google Drive. Learn how to upload and share files and folders to your Google Drive with others at Ramapo.
Pedagogy Connection: Google Docs and Slides enables instructors to create collaborative assignments and peer editing groups. Docs is also an excellent tool for brainstorming and sharing important class information. Students can use Docs and Slides to complete assignments. Work more efficiently with Google Drive without fear of losing your materials.
Open to everyone.
Presenter: Trish Williams
Register

Cybersecurity Awareness
2021-04-22 13:00 - 14:00
Cyber crime has become a multi-billion dollar industry and many cyber crimes can be avoided by following safe computing practices. Learn valuable techniques to help protect your data, identity and avoid online fraud.

Password best practices
Identifying fraudulent emails
Safe web browsing
Social media safety
Virus protection
Backing up your data

Open to everyone.
Presenter: Trish Williams
Register

Canvas Teaching Circle
2021-04-29 13:00 - 14:00
This teaching circle focuses on the use of Canvas. Participants will share their experiences with Canvas, including their successes and challenges. We will also review the Canvas tools for content delivery, assignments, and grading.
Pedagogy Connection: Canvas is Ramapo’s Learning Management System. This workshop guides instructors on how to use Canvas as a tool for delivering and managing assignments, facilitating group work, and enhancing the student experience in the classroom.
Open to faculty and staff.
Facilitator: Professor Michael Bitz
Register

Faculty Teach & Share Conference: Day 1
2021-05-24 10:00 - 15:00
Conference Theme:
Moving Forward Together in a Rapidly Changing Academic Environment: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges
The Ramapo College FRC and IDC are planning a virtual Faculty Teach & Share on Monday, May 24 and the morning of May 25. We will collectively share what we have learned about remote and hybrid/blended (in-person and remote) teaching and learning due to the impact of COVID-19 on teaching this past year. We will discuss what worked, what challenges we faced, how we negotiated our work-life balance, and how we can adapt to the teaching environment we will encounter this coming year.
We will share best practices on how to retain the digital teaching enhancements derived during the pandemic while at the same time learning how to re-negotiate in-person/on-campus spaces for both our students and ourselves. Join us to be part of this important conversation.
Register for Day 1
Moderators: Tammi Redd, FRC Director; and Michael Bitz, IDC Director
Day 1 Schedule – May 24

10-10:30 a.m.
What, Why, and How to Implement a Flipped Classroom Method
This presentation will briefly outline the definition of a flipped classroom and why it is impactful for today’s generation of students as well as the technological world that we have been in and will continue to need to be in moving into the future. The presentation will primarily focus on the “How” component in order to provide faculty with specific tangible tips and techniques. The presenter will provide examples of various ways that faculty can flip their classroom both virtually and then bridging back into the classroom. The teaching methods presented can be of value to faculty, who are trying to increase classroom engagement, collaborative learning, and application learning.
Presenter: Joy de los Reyes (ASB)

10:30-11 a.m.
Mapping as Pedagogy: Using StoryMaps in the Classroom
The shift to online learning has created a myriad of challenges for maintaining student engagement and providing hands-on learning opportunities, but a creative use of digital research tools can help meet these needs. This session provides a brief introduction to one of these tools: ArcGIS StoryMaps, a free program that allows users to create interactive maps and embed them in pages with text and images. For the past two years, I have used StoryMaps for a class research project in my American West class, “Mapping the Wild West in New Jersey.” This collaborative, interactive map consists of student research into people, places, and events that link the state of New Jersey and the American West. Students have responded to this project with enthusiasm and creativity, and their topics have ranged from gunslinger Annie Oakley, who was filmed at Thomas Edison’s studio in West Orange, to Lee Van Cleef, the “Bad” in the classic Spaghetti Western The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
In this session, I will explain the basics of ArcGIS StoryMaps and discuss best practices for creating assignments using this technology. We will then spend some time experimenting with choosing map backgrounds and placing map points. By the end of the session, you will have a working knowledge of ArcGIS StoryMaps and how it can be used to support students’ creativity, digital skills, and research abilities in your classroom.
Presenter: Sarah Koenig (SHGS)

11-11:30 a.m.
Iterations for Durable Academic Writing: Collaborative, Accessible Approaches to Writing-Intensive Coursework
This session presents approaches on how to structure writing-intensive courses that increase effectiveness and accessibility for students from a variety of cultural and sociolinguistic backgrounds and prepares them for collaboration outside the classroom. It offers college instructors the opportunity to enhance student engagement in writing by meeting students where they are equitably, rather than where an instructor thinks students ought to be. In this collaborative presentation, I will illustrate various approaches to collaborative and accessible writing-intensive course design. By implementing iterative, peer-driven strategies for writing assignments, instructors can decrease their out-of-classroom workloads while making their classrooms more equitable and their learning outcomes more durable. The session begins by outlining a set of research-driven principles for restructuring approaches to written coursework, examines broader justifications for this approach to provide administrative cover for piloting such course designs, and discusses how to implement these approaches in a variety of writing-intensive settings.
Presenter: Bradley Philbert (SHGS)

11:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Librarians Supporting Faculty and Students
In this session, library faculty will showcase various information literacy initiatives, important outreach efforts, as well as share plans for the upcoming Learning Commons that will open in Fall 2021. Learn about the many ways librarians can successfully support you and your students in the upcoming year!
Presenters: Christina Connor (Assessment and Instruction Librarian)
Hilary Westgate (Reference, Instruction and Outreach Librarian)

12-1 p.m.
***Break for Lunch***

1-1:30 p.m.
The Pen is Mightier than the Keyboard
For thousands of years, humans have used writing to communicate. The simple act of writing by hand while teaching became significantly harder when Covid hit. In this talk, we will help you bring handwriting back, revamped for the digital age! You’ll learn about a variety of hardware and software options for digital handwriting, at all price points, for all operating systems, and for people at all points on the technophobe/technophile spectrum. The technologies we’ll focus on are the tablet and stylus, and the document camera, with prices ranging from FREE to $$$. You’ll learn how to use these tools to annotate slide presentations, documents, or blank backgrounds. I’ll demonstrate the Canvas Teacher app for iOS, which allows you to mark up student assignments with a stylus when grading in Canvas. Finally, we’ll discuss no- and low-cost ways your remote students can share their handwritten work during class. For anyone teaching a virtual course, recording instructional videos, holding office hours remotely, or having remote students join your in-person class, having a high-quality method for sharing handwritten work is incredibly useful!
Presenter: Debbie Yuster (TAS)

1:30- 2 p.m.
Challenges of a Hybrid Course: How Do We Accommodate In-person and Remote Students at the Same Time?
Since the start of the pandemic, most of us have experienced various course delivery modes, transitioning from traditional face-to-face classes to remote modalities such as synchronous, asynchronous, or a mix of both. A more recent option that became available last spring was teaching in-person while using a WebEx room kit to accommodate students who chose to participate remotely. This hybrid model seems to be one of the critical course modalities in the upcoming fall semester. However, having students online and in-person at the same time brings new challenges to the course activities and structure. In this session, we will brainstorm about the challenges we faced last semester and possible strategies to structure a course.
Presenter: Fariba Nosrati (ASB)

2-2:30 p.m.
Hybrid and Hyflex Roundtable Discussion

As Ramapo continues to transition with the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an ever greater reliance on course delivery modes that rely on technology. This roundtable discussion will cover the parameters and scope of hybrid and hyflex learning models along with some best practices and potential pitfalls. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences or concerns and hear from colleagues who can provide knowledge and support.
Presenter: FRC & IDC hosted

2:30- 3 p.m.
An Inside Look at Fulbright Opportunities for Faculty
This presentation will provide a brief overview of Fulbright opportunities available to faculty, followed up by an overview of a planned workshop for interested applicants to run from June – September (to prepare and submit their applications)
Presenter: Benjamin Levy (Roukema Center for International Education)

Faculty Teach & Share Conference: Day 2
2021-05-25 10:00 - 12:00
Conference Theme:
Moving Forward Together in a Rapidly Changing Academic Environment: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges
The Ramapo College FRC and IDC are planning a virtual Faculty Teach & Share on Monday, May 24 and the morning of May 25. We will collectively share what we have learned about remote and hybrid/blended (in-person and remote) teaching and learning due to the impact of COVID-19 on teaching this past year. We will discuss what worked, what challenges we faced, how we negotiated our work-life balance, and how we can adapt to the teaching environment we will encounter this coming year.
We will share best practices on how to retain the digital teaching enhancements derived during the pandemic while at the same time learning how to re-negotiate in-person/on-campus spaces for both our students and ourselves. Join us to be part of this important conversation.
Register for Day 2
Moderators: Tammi Redd, FRC Director; and Michael Bitz, IDC Director
Day 2 Schedule – May 25

10-10:30 a.m.
Nag-Free Strategies to Get your Students on Camera
A major concern heard from faculty about online teaching is that they don’t like to teach to blank boxes. Faculty members miss seeing their students’ faces, and the dynamic and interactive feeling of the classroom is not present when we can’t read our students’ reactions. Faculty members have debated the potential benefits and challenges of “camera on” policies, and other strategies to encourage students to be on camera, however the frustrating phenomenon of teaching to a blank screen continues in many virtual classrooms. In this presentation, we will briefly discuss some of the issues that may prevent students from feeling comfortable on camera in virtual classes. The bulk of our conversation, however, will focus on nagging-free, policy-free strategies that have worked for one faculty member. A faculty member who had the benefit of over a decade of online teaching prior to the pandemic will model and share their positive and proactive strategies for encouraging camera use in classes, and participants will be welcome to share their successes and challenges as well.
Presenter: Colleen Martinez (SSHS)

10:30-11 a.m.
Teaching Practice Skills in a Virtual Classroom
The Covid 19 pandemic caused major disruptions in social work field practica. Many traditional fieldwork assignments where students traditionally would meet face to face with a real client had to be adjusted to more theoretically based assignments, therefore impacting students’ real-life opportunities for practicing skills. This challenge was compounded with the transition to virtual learning that for many students and professors seemed not the ideal medium for teaching and learning practice skills. As with many crises, the Covid 19 pandemic has provided many of us with an opportunity to grow. To respond to the learning needs of social work students whose field placements had been disrupted and to keep up with the practice standards of teaching foundation social work skills in person, this presenter examined her own pedagogical stance and teaching skills and used the available technology to teach social practice skills virtually in an effective manner.
This presentation will demonstrate that teaching practice skills in the foundation year of BSW (Bachelors Social Work) and MSW (Master Social Work) courses in a virtual classroom can be done effectively. The presenter will describe the use of breakout rooms and students’ video recordings as tools that can effectively foster learning of practice skills and enhanced students’ self-reflection on their own learning. In addition, the presenter will share anecdotal feedback from students’ experiences on their learning of practice skills virtually during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Presenter: Dolly Sacristan(SSHS)

11- 11:30 a.m.
Raising Voices: Digital Audio for Class Engagement
Digital audio solutions can be a great way to engage virtual and hybrid students asynchronously. While there are many ways to communicate virtually, only audio and video provide the opportunity for the personal touch that the human voice carries. However, as the mosaics of initials we’ve faced this past year prove, students aren’t always willing to bring the classroom into their worlds via video. Audio is a great compromise, allowing for a personal connection while giving students the flexibility of how much to share. In this presentation, we will explore some effective ways digital audio tools built right into Canvas can be used to engage students in class discussions, as well as a supplement to written communication for providing feedback and assessment, all in an asynchronous environment. We will also briefly cover some of the audio-focused tools beyond Canvas, such as podcasting with Soundtrap and “no-vid” Flipgrids for sharing digital whiteboards and other virtual visual aids.
Presenter: Brendan Flanagan (FYS)

11:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Roadrunner Collegiate Recovery and Faculty: The Fusion Begins!
The Roadrunner Collegiate Recovery Program is a supportive environment within the campus culture that reinforces the decision to disengage from an addictive behavior(s). Educational Opportunity alongside recovery support is there to ensure that students do not have to sacrifice one for the other. Accountability for recovering students comes from both higher education staff and campus peers. A normative college experience unfolds for individuals with addictive disorders apart from the culture of drinking that is present on today’s campuses
The Recovery Allies Fusion (R.A.F.), a major component of the RCRP, is to incorporate students, faculty, staff, alumni family, and friends:
For decades substance use and college campuses have been talked about as an inevitable “rite of passage” for college students, creating a norm that can far out shadow the dynamic pursuits of college students that revolve around academics, leadership, and future opportunities.
R.A.F. will engage the community in dialogue that changes the culture of campus substance use from one of misuse to one of well-being…..in the classroom, with Social Media, within conversation with others. As those in the RCRP lead the way with their personal growth from within, the R.A.F. will provide great support from our campus community and beyond.
Presenter: Corliss Rosenkranz (Center for Health and Counseling Services)
