There are many things you can do to prepare for a smooth transition to teaching and working remotely, and technology tools to assist. Following are the Technology Support Center’s top tips based on questions from faculty and staff.
Use Zoom to teach a class or attend a meeting
- Test your microphone and camera before the first session at zoom.us/test
- Take a Zoom test run in advance - create a trial meeting with a colleague or friend, test joining a meeting, sharing your screen, and/or muting your microphone
- If needed, a landline phone can be used to connect to Zoom meetings
- Make sure your computer is connected to the charger to ensure it stays powered up until the end
Step-by-step instructions are available here: Overview of Zoom
Zoom best practices and recommended meeting settings are available here:
- Recommended Settings for Secure Zoom Meetings
- Best Practices for Managing and Protecting a Zoom Meeting
For help with Zoom, contact the Technology Support Center at 309-438-4357 or at SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu.
The performance of web sites and University technology tools may be limited by the performance of your home Internet connection
- Limit streaming and large downloads while you work
- Disconnect or limit the use of non-essential devices
- Use an audio only connection to Zoom if video performance is
faltering
More tips on optimizing your home Internet connection are available here: Connecting and Optimizing Home Internet Connection
To help pinpoint the issue, contact the Technology Support Center at 309-438-4357or at SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu
Virtual Private Network (VPN) software is required to access some University resources remotely
- Do NOT require VPN - Commonly used resources such as email, ReggieNet
or Office 365 - DO require VPN - network drives, paychecks in iPeople, and specific applications such as Cognos, Colleague (Datatel) and Perceptive Content
More information about downloading and using VPN is available here: Overview of VPN at Illinois State University
For help with VPN, contact the Technology Support Center at 309-438-4357 or at SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu
Advanced phone features can extend your University phone virtually
- Place and receive phone calls virtually
- Get notifications of voice mail from your office phone to your
University email - Automatically forward your office phone calls to another phone
More information is available at: Overview of Cisco Jabber
For help with University phone features, contact the Technology Support Center at 309-438-4357or at SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu
Be wary of suspicious emails or Internet activity
- Phishing attacks are likely to utilize any crisis to trick you into revealing personal information
- Never send your password in email
- Be cautious when asked to log in with your ULID and password
More information about phishing scams is available at Overview of Phishing
Information on Zoom bombing and how to protect your meeting is available at An advisory on Zoom “Bombers” and “Raiders”
Tips on how to stay secure online from the ISU Information Security Office is available at Staying Secure while Off Campus
For help or to report suspicious activity, contact the Technology Support Center at 309-438-4357 or at SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu
Resources to Help Students
- Virtual computer labs are available to students at Remote.IllinoisState.edu
- Microsoft Teams is being used by students in the residence halls and in some classes this semester. You can read more about Teams at Overview of Microsoft Teams.
- For assistance with Technology devices required for online learning please have students contact the Technology Support Center (TSC) at ITHelp.IllinoisState.edu, SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-HELP (4357).
- View the full list of Technology Assistance for Students at https://ctlt.illinoisstate.edu/keepteaching/techhelp/
Other Resources
- More information about teaching online is available at
https://ctlt.illinoisstate.edu/keepteaching/ - More information about technology tools available to help teaching and working remotely is available at Technology Tools to Help You Teach, Learn, and Work
- Guidance on how to print to PDF as an alternative method to printing paper copies is available in the following article: Print to PDF
- Information about current technology maintenance and outages is available at Alerts.IllinoisState.edu
- Connect with everything technology at Illinois State, including the ability to live chat with the Technology Support Center, submit a ticket, and search for help at ITHelp.IllinoisState.edu