On March 30, Hamilton students and faculty began navigating a new way to teach and learn, as the College moved to remote online classes in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
To prepare Hamilton for the shift to online learning, the College’s Library and Information Technology Services (LITS) created a comprehensive “how to” guide for students, faculty, and employees.
For faculty, see this blog on virtual learning. LITS offers tips on using Zoom video conferencing, the Blackboard platform, library resources, communicating with students, and much more.
“The faculty found themselves, overnight, in an unprecedented situation,” said Dean of Faculty Suzanne Keen. “Each faculty member had unique needs. The team at LITS responded with generosity, creativity, and common sense to a welter of queries and problems with training sessions, equipment loans, individual coaching, and a confidence-boosting display of expertise.
The LITS Help Desk will be staffed remotely by student employees on Monday-Friday, until 9 p.m. It will be available via email and Google hangouts.
“The LITS Zoom buddies have been especially appreciated as we learn the tools that will help us keep Hamilton courses and governance processes up and running,” Keen added.
Students can explore off-campus study resources such as virtual course environments, specific course guides, subject guides, and installing software and apps. Here are directions to set up a Zoom account to join classes remotely. A pop-up chat box on the LITS page enables students to ask immediate questions online.
LITS has also created the virtual “Student Support Center” which is committed to supporting the ongoing learning at Hamilton. The Support Center is staffed remotely by LITS students workers – research tutors (RTs) and digital media tutors (DMTs) – who are prepared to answer an array of questions from how to use Zoom to how to find electronic resources or accurately cite sources.
The Student Support Center will be available Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
During these hours, you can email askus@hamilton.edu or engage with the chat feature on the LITS homepage to communicate directly with one of LITS Research Tutors. If you call 315-859-4735, please leave a message and a research tutor will reach out promptly via email.
Additionally, during these hours, students can engage online with LITS digital media tutors in a virtual face-to-face meeting using Zoom.
Employees can find advice on staying connected while working remotely, including information on storing files, setting up voicemail, and Zoom video conferencing.
