Drew online classes will use Moodle to organize course materials and Zoom class meetings to facilitate seminar discussions and collaborative work. Technical assistance for Drew’s Remote Learning technology is available. Here are several suggestions for making the most of your synchronous Drew Zoom learning experience: 

• Join the Zoom class from a computer (with a video camera), one participant per computer.  As you will need to open documents, participate in chat, and join breakout groups, it is not possible for you to participate in class fully from a phone or tablet alone. If joining via phone or tablet, you will need an additional device to simultaneously access class documents. 
• All participants are encouraged to have their cameras turned on so that the class is a face-to-face experience for everyone.
• If possible, you should join Zoom classes from a quiet, adequately-lit room without distractions. If you are uncomfortable Zooming into class from your home, please find a safe, private space from which to join the Zoom classroom. You may also hang a sheet to provide a neutral background when Zooming into class with the camera turned on.
• When in the Zoom room, students will need to learn and utilize features that manage classroom participation. For example, you may need to mute your microphone when you are not speaking. Use the chat and raise your hand features of Zoom to join the conversation when others are speaking.
• Consider using headphones that have a microphone built into the cord as this will maximize your listening and speaking participation.

Ask questions through email, during office hours, and while in class. Get to know netiquette expectations to maximize positive relationship building between you and your faculty as well as with your peers.

You may have more flexibility, but the demands of course work within a remote learning environment can be a challenge. Set aside consistent blocks of time to complete coursework and identify a location that will be most conducive for working effectively. A great way to develop more structure or develop your remote study habits is to work with an Academic Coach. Remote academic coaching appointments can be made using WCOnline, the Center’s appointment scheduler. 

You may be spending more time online than you did prior to attending classes remotely. Because of this, try to avoid digital overload and schedule breaks like taking a walk, talking with friends, or taking a short nap.

The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) offers remote support resources for all Drew students at no extra cost with units dedicated to helping you with writing, math, science, and academic coaching. 

Subject tutoring is available for most CLA courses and the CAE makes every effort to arrange for tutoring in other courses through special requests. You can make remote tutoring appointments using WCOnline, the center’s appointment scheduler. Review these instructions to learn how to make and access your remote session. Or, for more information on tutoring resources, please email cae@drew.edu.

Academic coaching is available to assist undergraduate and graduate students who seek to improve their study and self-management skills. If you are concerned about your ability to take notes, and stay organized and focused in the online learning environment, you may benefit from academic coaching. 

Ready to make an appointment for an informal meet up to learn more about coaching or to meet individually with a coach?Remote academic coaching appointments can be made using WCOnline.

The University Writing Center (UWC) will continue to offer undergraduate and graduate students one-on-one or group support for writing through WCOnline, the UWC’s appointment scheduler. You can schedule remote sessions using WCOnline’s video consultation screen or Zoom in order to share writing (e.g., Google Documents, screen share) with a writing specialist. The UWC also maintains curated lists of resources on various writing topics on their LibGuide and also offers thesis and dissertation support. For more information, please email cae@drew.edu or visit the UWC’s site here.

Although the buildings remain closed, library services and materials are available remotely. Use Ask A Librarian (i.e., chat or email) for expert help with research strategies and sources. The chat service is available from the library website and from Moodle. Use ScholarSearch from the library’s website for access to online information resources, including databases, journals, and e-books.  For Drew-owned materials not already available in digital form, the library can provide a scan or can retrieve items from the stacks for contact-free pickup by appointment. For research with archives and other primary sources, Special Collections and University Archives offer virtual consultations by appointment, research assistance via email, and scanning. 

For more information about library services for remote learning, visit our site.

As part of the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), the desire to help students maximize their academic success guides the practice of the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR). By connecting students to specialized advisement and university resources, including academic coaching, peer tutoring and personal counseling, the OAR facilitates the student’s immersion in the Drew community.

For students registered with the OAR, as classes continue to be virtual, you should know you are still entitled to full access. Accommodations you used for your in-person classes might look different or, in some cases, may not be necessary now, but you should expect full access. For new accommodation requests, please submit this form. For more information, or further guidance, please email the Director of OAR, Dana Giroux, dgiroux@drew.edu or visit the OAR site.

Every student has an academic support network that contributes to academic success. Beacon is home to that network, which includes faculty, advisors, and CAE staff that support your larger success plan by promoting collaboration, transparency, and consistency. This network can help you connect to the support you need to achieve your goals.
 

Your success is our priority. Instructors, or others in your success network, may submit “Updates” and/or “Alerts” outlining concerns or feedback about your academic progress. “Updates” and/or “Alerts” are sent directly to your Drew email and require you to take action such as meeting with a tutor, academic coach, faculty, or advisor, etc. To learn more about how you can close the loop on “Updates” and/or “Alerts” please watch this video. 

For more information, please contact us as cae-admin@drew.edu. 

You may find it helpful to review information on the University Technology’s Learning Remotely page such as:

• The minimum requirements for laptops that will handle online learning can be found at our Drew Laptops page.
• Connectivity Challenges
• Many Drew classes will be meeting during class time using the program Zoom. Your professors will share with you the links to their Zoom rooms and the times when you will be meeting. 
  • Drew.zoom.us
  • Zoom information for Drewids
  • A Zoom FAQ for Students

In addition to the above resources, learn more about some things you might need to do while learning from off-campus. Please note this page is a work in progress and will be updated as quickly and often as possible.

Whatever your Drew University related technology needs or question please reach out. Questions can always be directed via email (helpdesk@drew.edu) or by calling the Helpdesk at 973-408-4357 (HELP). Current hours are listed to the left. You will also see a link to an ITC Chat, which can be used for questions regarding Zoom or Moodle. 

Please be aware that in the online learning environment, as in the campus classroom,  you are expected to adhere to the highest academic standards. The faculty-student relationship is central to the Drew experience, and academic dishonesty violates the trust of this relationship and goes against the ethos/character of Drew.  

Any case of academic dishonesty will be dealt with according to the guidelines and procedures outlined in the academic policies section of the catalog:

• CLA
• CSGS and THEO

 In an online environment, academic policies indicate that you are also expected to: 

• seek permission if video capturing a course, a faculty member, or a student
• use only allowable resources on exams or other related assignments
• refrain from using professional online tutoring services for exams or similar assignments
• submit only work that is generated by you for evaluation or grading purposes

Breaches of the academic integrity policy tend to happen when students are feeling unprepared and overwhelmed.  We urge you to speak your instructors or advisers if you are feeling this way. Asking for help is the best option!