Technology

Top Tech Tips for Faculty and Staff Teaching and Working Remotely

Last modified 9/22/2023

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: Zoom.

Zoom best practices and recommended meeting settings are available here:

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 Connections.

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 Microsoft 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: VPN at Illinois State University.

VPN Authentication

When using the VPN it will require a MFA request approval. Follow this link to set up your MFA if you still need to. MFA Info/Setup

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: Cisco Jabber.

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 protecting your Zoom meeting is available at Best Practices for Managing and Protecting a Zoom Meeting.

Tips on how to stay secure while Teaching and Learning Remotely is available at Top Tech Tips for Faculty and Staff Teaching and Learning Remotely.

Important

It is recommended that you forward the questionable email, or take a screenshot of it and include it in your Service Request. Make sure the Headers and Footers of the email are included as well (i.e., Who it was from, sent to and concluded by).


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