SCS Resources for Online Instruction

Zoom (https://illinois.zoom.us) is an online audio- and video-conferencing service.  You can use Zoom to share (and record) audio and video for one-to-many lectures, or to hold live chat or audio discussions.  It has software for Windows, Mac, and Linux as well as iOS and Android apps for mobile users.

• Using Zoom to teach: https://uofi.box.com/v/teachingwithzoom
• Instructions Logging into Zoom for the first time: https://answers.uillinois.edu/page.php?id=96159
• Zoom “Getting Started” guide: https://answers.illinois.edu/96712
• Other knowledgebase articles on Zoom: https://answers.illinois.edu/search.php?q=zoom
• Online training from Zoom: http://zoom.us/livetraining
• Zoom can integrate with both Moodle and Compass/Blackboard
  • For Moodle: https://answers.uillinois.edu/illinois.las/92442
  • For Compass/Blackboard: https://answers.uillinois.edu/illinois/96782

Skype for Business is a Microsoft application that runs on Windows and Mac, as well as Android and iOS-based mobile devices.  When you’re off-campus, you can use Skype for Business to make and receive phone calls from your office phone number – if you use a computer, you’ll just need a microphone and speakers or headphones (preferably ones with a microphone).  Skype for Business can also be used for audio and video conferencing.  It is not as simple as Zoom, but may be a good alternative if the Zoom network is overloaded.  Undergrads (who do not receive Skype for Business accounts) can join a “meeting” (i.e. one-to-many lecture) through the web client.  Students with regular Skype accounts can join meetings with full audio, video, and chat capabilities.

• You can download the Skype for Business client from the University of Illinois WebStore:  https://webstore.illinois.edu/shop/product.aspx?zpid=1569
• Other knowledgebase articles on Skype for Business meetings: https://answers.illinois.edu/search.php?q=skype+for+business+meeting
• Training on Skype for Business is available through LinkedIn Learning

Box (https://uofi.app.box.com) is a file-sharing service.  It can be used to make files available to your students, such as a PDF of a PowerPoint presentation.  We suggest making your links open to “Anyone with the link” (see https://answers.illinois.edu/75695 for more information), so that students do not need to log in to get to instructional content. 

• Instructions for logging into Box for the first time: https://answers.illinois.edu/48062
• Box “Getting Started” guide: https://answers.illinois.edu/93177
• Online training from Box: https://community.box.com/t5/Box-User-Training-Videos/tkb-p/SelfPacedGuides