At Rhode Island College we are looking to see students succeed in a variety of ways. We believe that Starfish will allow for direct communication between students and faculty.
Starfish gives you a convenient way to keep track of your students – raising flags when you observe a pattern of behavior that concerns you, ensuring that the people on campus who can intervene are aware. It also allows your students to easily book an appointment with you or someone else who can help.
Getting started is easy. Accessible through your existing systems (often your Learning Management or Student Information system), Starfish will automatically display all students that you have been assigned or are enrolled in your courses.
Some of your profile, such as your contact information, is imported from Peoplesoft.
The first time you log in to Starfish, Starfish will provide a ‘wizard’ to walk you through setting up your office hours, which enables students to schedule time with you. If you do not wish to complete the wizard just yet, check the box labeled “Show me this Office Hours Setup Page again next time I login if I don’t have any Office Hours”, and then click the Close button.
If your office hours are different week to week, follow the “If your office hours don’t repeat weekly, click here” link.
If your office hours recur, complete the fields presented to specify:
To setup additional office hours or make any changes, use the buttons on your Home or Appointments page to Add Office Hours, Add Appointment, Add Group Session, Reserve Time or use the Scheduling Wizard.
You will receive an email reminder when there is a new survey for you to complete. Each individual survey presents a student roster for one course section on whom you can raise flags.
Important: Once you have submitted the survey you will not have an opportunity to add to or undo the items you raised. Use the Save Draft option if you aren’t ready to submit your survey. You may be asked to submit more than one course survey if more than one of your courses has been included in the survey plan for your institution. They will be listed in the drop-down menu on the Progress Surveys tab.
When you have a concern with a particular student, raise a flag, to-do, or referral to communicate your observations. The appropriate individuals will be automatically notified when you save the item.
A list of flags that you have permission to raise on this student is displayed.
Notes: The Student View: indicates whether the student can view the flag and the notes you include in the Comment box. The Permissions area lists roles that have permission to view the selected flag and the notes you include in the Comment box.
Starfish will email you a calendar item for each appointment and a summary of flag activity for your students. Use the Email Notifications tab of your Profile to modify details of how and when you receive these notifications.
Click the hyperlink associated with the student’s name wherever you find it to reach the Student Folder. (e.g. in the student list, on an appointment, or in a progress survey).
Select the day from the calendar, and hover (don’t click) over the icon associated with the Office Hours on the desired day. Click the Cancel button and select, “Just this one” from the pop up Office Hours card presented.
From the Agenda view, hover (don’t click) over the Office Hours icon ( ) next to an office hour title. Select Cancel from the pop up Office Hours card presented. (If the day you have selected on the calendar includes an occurrence, you will have the option to cancel “Just this one” or “The entire series”)
