The University of Massachusetts Amherst

The RAP office designed this page to provide information and resources
for instructors of RAP courses and First-Year Seminars. 

This page will be updated with links and ideas throughout the semester. Please let us know if you have other links to share.

Questions? Contact us here.

Announcements

  • For technology support in the residential classrooms, call the Student Affairs Technology Services (SATs) help desk, 413-577-7287. 

For building or instructional space issues that require assistance, please contact the appropriate Residential Area Office: 

  • Residential Classrooms Northeast, Johnson House room 108 (545-0403) 
  • Residential Classrooms in Orchard Hill/Central, Baker House room 01B (545-1333) 
  • Residential Classrooms in Southwest, Cance House room 107A (545-0439) 
  • Please note: Area offices close at 3pm. After 3pm, you can submit an iService Request. 

If you experience any issues and contact SATs or your Residential Area Office, please send us an email notifying us that you’ve communicated with these departments. 

Check the UMass Coronavirus website regularly for up-to-date policies, procedures and dashboard information. 

 Resources for Instructors

NEW: Concerned about a student? Check out this new REFERRAL HANDOUT to determine the best path of action.

Strategies for Teaching Remote Students from Traditional Classrooms (from IDEAS)

Campus Resources

Maroon Folder - Crisis Resources 

Wellbeing (Culture of Caring) Insert

Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) 

Instructional Design, Engagement & Support  (IDEAS - homepage) 

Instructional Design, Engagement & Support (IDEAS webinar & workshops calendar)

International Programs Office   (IPO)

Moodle Resources

 A Quick Tour of Moodle for Instructors 

Activity Types in Moodle offers a description of the various kinds of activities that Moodle supports.

Course Development/Teaching Resources

"From the Expert: Tips on lecturing with a mask" from University of Georgia

"3 Tips on teaching while wearing a mask" from Indiana University

Screen Recording on Zoom 

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

The W. E. B. Du Bois Library has a wealth of information to address the critical issues of Academic Honesty and Plagiarism.

Information on Policy and Procedure related to Academic Honesty is hosted on the Student Success website.

How to support student to maintain academic integrity.

Resources for Students

First-Year Student Resource Guide: Explains Common Content Goals for FY Seminars, provides an overview of the Student Success website, including the Success Toolkit Series and Student Success Planner, and connects students to tips for success. 

Wellbeing Wednesday Emails: Every Wednesday, the University connects the UMass community with resources, tips, tricks, and supports organized around a central theme.

Additional Readings

Cavanagh, Sarah Rose. “How I’m Spending my Pandemic Summer Vacation.”

DeRosa, Robin. “Values-Center Instructional Planning.”

Pedagogies of Care offers practical and engaging advice on online teaching on a variety of topics, keeping in mind accessibility, inclusion, design, teaching, collaborative practices, assessment, and more. The website links to books, audiobooks, articles, videos, etc.

Darby, Flower. “5 Ways to Connect with Online Students.”

Matthews, Maximillian. “Centering Students’ Needs.”           

Updated August 26, 2020

I really enjoy this class, and I think it is very engaging. I also enjoy that I am exposed to different perspectives, both of students in the class, and of historical views. This class presents a unique and insightful view of the world, and has encouraged me to ask questions I would not have thought of otherwise.

    Fall 2020 student

Fall 2022 RAP Instructor Job Information

RAP Gen Ed Course Instructor Job Description

RAP Seminar Instructor Job Description

RAP Course Syllabus Information Fall 2022

Syllabus Checklist - for RAP Gen Ed courses - See a list of all required elements for a RAP course syllabus.

Syllabus Suggestions - Best Practices - check out some examples from prior RAP course syllabi.

Information for RAP Instructors

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