Virtual Rotation

What is Virtual Rotation?

Virtual rotation is a mixed mode of instruction where a group of students attends class in-person while remaining students participate remotely via a synchronous and interactive broadcast of the class. Groups take equal turns participating in-person and remotely during regularly scheduled class times.

Why has RMU implemented Virtual Rotation?

In order to maintain a minimum 6-foot physical distance between people in instructional spaces, classroom capacity is significantly reduced. Virtual Rotation allows students to continue some face-to-face instruction, while maintaining the necessary physical distancing.

How does the rotation work?

Depending on the number of students in a course, the capacity of the classroom, and the number of days per week the course meets, classes are split into either two or three groups.

Two-group scenarios

When a class is separated into two groups, they are designated as Group A and Group B. In this situation, you would fall into one of these scenarios:

Courses that meet three days a week (M/W/F):

	Monday	Wednesday	Friday
Group A	In-person	Remote	In-person for odd weeks (1, 3, etc.)
Group B	Remote	In-person	In-person for even weeks (2, 4, etc.)

Courses that meet two days a week (i.e. T/R, M/W, M/F or W/F):

	First day of week	Second day of week
Group A	In-person	Remote
Group B	Remote	In-person

Courses that meet one day per week:

	Odd weeks (1, 3, etc.)	Even weeks (2, 4, etc.)
Group A	In-person	Remote
Group B	Remote	In-person

Three-group scenarios

When a class is separated into three groups, they are designated as Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3. In this situation, you would fall into one of these scenarios:

Courses that meet three days a week (MWF):

	Monday	Wednesday	Friday
Group 1	In-person	Remote	Remote
Group 2	Remote	In-person	Remote
Group 3	Remote	Remote	In-person

Courses that meet one day per week:

	Weeks 1, 4, 7, 10	Weeks 2, 5, 8, 11	Weeks 3, 6, 9, 12
Group 1	In-person	Remote	Remote
Group 2	Remote	In-person	Remote
Group 3	Remote	Remote	In-person

NOTE: Immediately following Thanksgiving break, all instruction (including final exams) will be remote (Nov. 30 - Dec. 18).

What group will I be in?

RMU has developed an algorithm that automatically places students in groups of equal or near-equal numbers. You may find out which group you are in by viewing your schedule when logging into rmu.edu/myrmu or accessing it through the RMU Mobile app.

May I switch groups?

You may not switch groups. Groups must remain balanced to accommodate physical distancing. Also, groups are an important part of contact tracing, should that become necessary.

How do I access the synchronous broadcast of my class?

Google Meet is RMU’s official video conferencing platform and will be used for all Virtual Rotation instruction. Your instructor will send you a calendar invite or email with the link to your classes’ meeting. Visit this link for additional technology resources for students.

What can I expect when it’s my turn to participate remotely?

RMU has 38 classrooms or computing labs with sophisticated video conferencing technology that allows instructors to broadcast their instruction of a course. This includes the ability to present live what is on the instructor’s screen, what is on the classroom whiteboard, or what is in view of the instructor’s document camera. Instructors may also train the camera on themselves or on students in class who are speaking or presenting. As a remote participant, you will be able to see the same instructional materials as your peers in the classroom and you will be able to ask your instructor questions by voice or by chat, depending on your instructor’s preference. Your instructor may also use Google Meet to record your attendance, if they choose to do so. Instructors may ask you to keep your webcam turned on at all times during the class meeting and some courses may require specialized software for taking exams.