Equipment and Software
Technology for ACES Instructors
College of ACES Technology Services has compiled a Q&A list of resources and how-to suggestions for technology, specific to face-to-face and hyflex instruction.
Software and Hardware Options Based on Teaching Style and Course Content
Teaching Style | Content Types | Software/Hardware |
1. Lecture, few visuals, little interaction |
Talking head video recordings Kaltura self-recording |
Web camera with Kaltura Capture and and upload through Kaltura, add link in Canvas |
2. Lecture, PPT (or similar), little interaction | Kaltura self-recording | Powerpoint and microphone with Kaltura Capture and upload through Kaltura, add link in Canvas |
3. Lecture, board work (or similar), little interaction |
Kaltura Capture self-recording on computer or go in classroom and have a camera record |
Record with Kaltura Capture and and upload through Kaltura, Add link in Canvas. |
4. Interactive discussion or lecture (could include PPT, boardwork or other visuals) |
Zoom with webcam (shows face), Zoom with PPT (shows screen), Zoom with tablet |
Share with students before with link to Canvas. Students need to have a microphone or ability to type in text chat boxes |
5. Existing UIUC online version of the course | Use same methods as before or above | |
6. Commonly taught large, multi-section course with common syllabus | Similar to ACES 100 or Rhet 105; likely doesn't apply to ACES Spring 2020 classes | |
7. Course with extensive laboratory, arts, dance, field work or other hands-on activity | Discuss individual strategies with online learning consultant with ongoing discussions to put together list of resources and ideas |
Video Recording and Editing
CITL Video Hardware and Software Recommendations
The Illinois Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) compiled recommended resources for video hardware, software, and how-to video recording recommendations. All information can be accessed from the UI Box folder.
- Non-Exhaustive List of Recommended Production Software (Illinois CITL) (URL)
- Non-Exhaustive List of Affordable Microphone Recommendations for Recording Audio at Home (Illinois CITL) (URL)
Software & Services
Kaltura Personal Capture (Great for Asynchronous Lecturing)
Kaltura Personal Capture is a program that makes it easy to create and upload videos to Kaltura through mediaspace.illinois.edu, and Compass is available for Windows or Mac. Recorded videos can be a combination of webcams and/or screen recordings.
- Getting started with Kaltura
- How to Use Kaltura Personal Capture
- Kaltura Personal Capture Video Demo
- Adding Zoom Cloud Recording to Illinois Media Space and Compass (5:14 min.) (URL)
Zoom (Interactive Web Conferencing up to 150 people)
Zoom is available to all faculty, staff and students. Zoom is a web-conferencing tool that you can use in your online course to conduct virtual office hours, project meetups, or live final presentations. For lecture use, Zoom should be used to record lectures that should then be uploaded to Media Space (see Kaltura, Uploading Media for instructions).
- Illinois Zoom Portal
- Quick Start with Zoom (Illinois CITL) (PDF)
- Getting started with Zoom
- Additional Zoom Help Guides
- Zoom Help Center
- Install on Mac
- Zoom Mac Settings (works best in Chrome, but Firefox will also work)
- Zoom Access in China
- Zoom Restricted Countries
- Zoom Changes for Password Protection - Email from March 27 from ACES IT. Instructions to protect your Zoom sessions
- ACES Virtual Backgrounds for Zoom - ACES images to use as your digital background. View the upload instructions.
Skype for Business
Skype for Business is good for point-to-point phone calls or video chat. Skype for Business has limits in functionality, versatility across operating systems, and reliability in large meetings.
Adobe CC Software
Email from Technology Services
Remote Desktop
Visit ACES Computing Facility website for details.
The campus LMS system, Compass, is available as both a location to coordinate information and as a quizzing engine.
Requesting an Illinois Compass2G Space
Getting Started with Illinois Compass 2g
Proctorio Exam Proctoring through Compass
Cloud Storage
If a direct connection back to campus through VPN is problematic, there are also a number of cloud-based storage options available. This requires users to proactively move necessary files up into the cloud prior to any quarantine or restricted access initiation. Cloud storage options like Box and Google Drive are also excellent options for collaborating on work among team members who are all working off-site.
Exams and Quizzes
Several online assessment methods are available for student use. Instructors may have to sacrifice some assurance of academic integrity in these cases such as open-books, access to other materials, and lack of identity assurance. There are limited options that assure tests are taken without additional resources or by the intended individual. More information to come.
Equipment Checkout and Questions
- Submit a request form
- Send an email to: techsupport@aces.illinois.edu
- Call the Help Desk: 217-244-0477
- Search ACES Answers for self-help resources
U of I Tech Services System Status Updates - Indicates whether campus is experiencing issues with particular services, like Zoom, Compass, Media Space, etc.