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Recommendations for using technology in classrooms spring 2021
This is a summary of information for teaching with technology using lecture capture, Zoom, or Skype for Business in a General Assignment classroom.
Overview
During the spring 2021 semester, Illinois instructors who teach in classrooms may want to:
- Allow one or more students to attend a live class session remotely via Skype for Business or Zoom.
- Record their class sessions for students who are not attending in person.
The recommendations outlined below will allow students watching a class recording or joining a live class session remotely to:
- Hear the instructor.
- See the classroom's computer screen and hear audio from it.
- See the instructor's handwritten course materials via the classroom's document camera.
When a student views the joins the class remotely via Zoom or Skype for Business, following these recommendations will allow the instructor and in-class students to:
- Hear the remote students.
- See the remote students.
Recommendations
Be safe
To ensure everyone's safety, wipe down the surfaces of instructional furniture and equipment before and after use. Each classroom will contain a sanitizing wipe station. Wipe the surfaces of the lectern and any technology (computer keyboard, mouse, touch panels, etc). If you touched it, be sure to wipe it down. For additional cleaning supplies or questions, contact: covid19cleaning@illinois.edu
Zoom or Skype for Business
Using the classroom computer to join a scheduled Zoom meeting allows you to record the classroom's computer screen, microphones, and document camera. It also allows you to invite one or more students to synchronously attend class remotely. For more, see:
Zoom, Instructors, Recommended Default Settings
Skype for Business, Using it on Windows
Lecture Capture
Know your microphone
- Wireless (lavalier and handheld) microphones are available in some classrooms for use with either lecture capture, Zoom, or Skype for business and provide premium audio clarity of the instructor's voice. When using a lavalier microphone, attach the microphone near the base of your neck (not on your face mask) for best results.
- USB microphones are available in any classroom that doesn't have a wireless microphone for use with Skype for Business or Zoom listed. Please note, some rooms have both a wireless microphone for use with lecture capture and a USB microphone for use with Zoom or Skype for Business.
Know your document camera
Do not use the classroom's whiteboards or chalkboard because your lecture capture recording, Zoom, or Skype for Business viewers will not be able to see. Instead, use the classroom's document camera for hand-written or whiteboard content. For clarity, use high contrast pen and paper (a black felt pen and yellow legal pad work best).
To share the document camera in Zoom or Skype for Business so that remote participants can see it please email consult@illinois.edu to confirm the document camera is set up correctly. Rooms with lecture capture cannot share the room document camera with Zoom or Skype for Business, but it will be recorded for lecture capture.
Get help
If you have questions about classroom technology, contact Technology Services Help Desk at (217) 244-7000 or consult@illinois.edu