Student Strategies for Learning Remotely

A critical part of Amherst’s strategy for learning during COVID-19 is ensuring that you have the tools and support needed to meet your goals for your Amherst College educational experience. Our entire academic community is committed to meeting student needs for engaging in our current learning environment while maintaining intellectual engagement and sustaining faculty-student relationships, peer learning, and community. This site offers a central point of information about these resources.

Additional information about the Amherst College approach, support, and expectations for learning in the Fall of 2020 are available via the Fall Plan 2020.

1. Practice with the technology: Gain clarity on the technological expectations for each course by carefully reading communications from your faculty which may include emails, the course moodle site, and updated course expectations in the syllabus. Make a list of these technologies and become familiar with and practice using them.
2. Communicate regularly with your faculty: Be sure to ask questions and take advantage of opportunities to connect with your faculty through email, office hours, and class. Familiarize yourself with netiquette expectations to maximize positive relationship building between you and your faculty as well as with your peers.
3. Engage with your classmates: The more you engage in class discussions and seek out opportunities for community with classmates both within and outside the formal structures of the course, you will benefit from an increased sense of ownership of your learning. You will also continue to cultivate critical professional and personal relationships.
4. Develop a structure for engaging with your classes: 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 course work and identify a location that will be most conducive for working effectively. Additionally, begin assignments and other course work as soon as possible so that you can surface potential challenges and have plenty of time to seek out clarification and support.
5. Find times for a digital break: In our new digital learning reality most of us will be spending more time online than ever before. Try to avoid digital overload and spend some time outside, hanging out with people in your household, cooking, gardening, or something else to give yourself a break from the digital.

Want more tips? Check out the University of Michigan resource for adjusting your study habits.

It is likely that many faculty will be using video conferencing as a way to have synchronous communication with you throughout the remainder of the semester. Your faculty will communicate directly with you about how you will engage in the learning for each course. Below are some common tools and information about how to use them.

• Google Meet is included as part of Amherst’s G Suite. In addition to meeting with your professor through google meet, you might use this to connect with other students whether directed to by the faculty member or as a self-directed way to stay connected with your peers.
• Zoom is a useful tool for connecting remotely. In addition to being used by your professor for classes, you might also use this to connect and work with classmates on projects, problem sets, or other assignments. Getting Started with Zoom.
• Be sure that you have access to a webcam and microphone as this will be critical to your staying engaged with and completing many of your courses. Most laptops have these built in to the computer. If you have any questions about this please reach out to askit@amherst.edu. 

Video Conferencing Options at Amherst