Remote Communications Alternatives

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In preparation for an unfortunate outbreak of the H1N1 virus or other emergency, please consult this checklist for alternatives to your normal modes of operation. Please contact the computer helpdesk helpline@stedwards.edu for further information

For instructors

Classroom Alternatives
 Description Requirements/ more information
Elluminate Live Virtual Classroom
  • Instructor and students may log in and use audio chat, text chat, whiteboard and powerpoint support
  • Instructors may log in a broadcast a lecture to the classroom computer
Conference Phone Telecom can provide a conference phone to your classroom. You may call into the class from a remote location
Special Tools within Blackboard

Blackboard has several tools to maintain asynchronous communication and collaboration

  • Discussion Boards
  • Blogs
  • Wikis
  • Assign/Submit assignments online

Office alternatives

 Description Requirements/ more information
Elluminate: virtual office hours Use elluminate during a specified time so your students may "stop-by"
Skype

Skype may be used to video or text chat between up to 5 individuals

File sharing available
Email

Remember that Blackboard is equipped to email your entire class or individual members

You may access your email from any computer with an Internet connection; you do not have to have your Eudora/or other email software.
  • Go to the "Communications" area within a course's Blackboard area
Telephone

Tried and true: be prepared and gather a phone list of your students

Call Forwarding may be enabled from your office line to your home or cell phone.

  
Gmail chat/videochat Gmail allows for text, video and audio chat between two individuals.
 iChat for Macs

Allows for text, video and audio chat between two or more individuals from a Mac computer.

iChat also supports AOL IM and Google chat accounts.

For Staff

Office Alternatives  Description Requirements/More Information
Edshare  Utilize edshare and other shared spaces to save and share files
Email  You may access your email from any computer with an Internet connection; you do not have to have your Eudora/or other email software.
Telephone

Gather a list of home/cell numbers for fellow staff who you may need to call at home. Distribute your number to those who may need it.

Call Forwarding may be enabled from your office line to your home or cell phone.
Texting    
Gmail chat/videochat Gmail allows for text, video and audio chat between two individuals.   
Elluminate: Remote Desktop Control Along with the virtual communication space in elluminate, you may use it to remotely control another's computer. Also the program may be used to share files.NEEDSTESTING!!)
 Skype Skype may be used to video or text chat between up to 5 individuals

File sharing available

 
 iChat for Macs

Allows for text, video and audio chat between two or more individuals from a Mac computer.

iChat also supports AOL IM and Google chat accounts.

 

For Students

Technologies Description Requirements/More Information
Blackboard Group Pages Your instructor may set-up group areas within Blackboard for Discussion and File exchange  
Skype Skype may be used to video or text chat between up to 5 individuals

File sharing available
Email Remember that Blackboard is equipped to email your instructor or other members of your class
  • Go to the "Communications" area within a course's blackboard area
Telephone Gather numbers you may need, instructors, other class members. Distribute your number to instructors.
Gmail chat/videochat Gmail allows for text, video and audio chat between two individuals.
 iChat for Macs

Allows for text, video and audio chat between two or more individuals from a Mac computer.

iChat also supports AOL IM and Google chat accounts.