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Teaching Remotely

In the event that routine work or academic functions are disrupted due to prolonged campus or building closures, you may find it necessary to work or teach a class from off campus. We provide a variety of services to connect you with colleagues and students remotely so that work and learning can continue uninterrupted.

In preparation, you should make sure you have tested your access to the following equipment at home:

  • Laptop or desktop computer.
  • Microphone – this may be built into your laptop or computer, or you may use an external device such as a USB microphone or headset.
  • Webcam – a camera may already be built into your laptop, but you can also use an external USB camera for video conferencing. If you’re looking for access to a camera, you may visit the eLearning office at KLM 259 to check one out (while supplies last).
  • Internet – either commercially provided (e.g., Spectrum, AT&T) or a wireless hotspot through your mobile phone.

Be prepared! Test access to your equipment and resources at home before the need arises, and contact us if you have any questions or issues.

It’s best to know these options will work for you before you actually need them. 

For additional resources and information on teaching remotely, visit the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services page for more information.

Resources for Consideration

Provide Your Course Resources Online

Every course section has an active course shell in Blackboard. Faculty have access to a resource course shell labeled "Faculty Resources" in Blackboard, containing tutorials and guides on Blackboard and other educational technologies.  If you need assistance with Blackboard or other educational technologies, please email elearning@tamiu.edu.

Post key class materials

  • Add content such as your class notes, readings, and presentations.
  • The TAMIU Killam Library has an abundance of video resources to provide to faculty and students. Access these resources for free video content from a variety of disciplines:
    • Films on Demand, Master Academic Collection - A state-of-the-art streaming video platform that makes it easier than ever to incorporate outstanding educational programs from Films Media Group into your online course.
    • Ambrose Digital - A database with over 1000 Educational DVDs in their collection, including timely science and history topics. New releases include: AP Human Geography, Great Directors, Great Authors of the British Isles and Great Irish Authors. We have BBC Classics such as all 37 BBC Shakespeare Plays, James Burkes' Connections, Ascent of Man and more.
    • Kanopy - An on-demand streaming video service that provides access to more than 24,000 documentaries and indie films from hundreds of global leading producers such as Criterion Collection, PBS, New Day Films, Kino Lorber, and many more.
    • Nursing Education in Video - a unique online collection of videos created specifically for the education and training of nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare workers.
    • Swank Digital Campus - Digital Campus by Swank Motion Pictures, Inc.® allows students the flexibility to legally view course-assigned films outside the classroom.

Communicate with your class through Blackboard

  • Announcements are an ideal way to post time-sensitive information critical to course success. Add announcements for due dates for assignments and projects, changes to your syllabus, corrections/clarifications of materials, and exam schedules.
  • Course messages are private and secure text-based communication that occurs within your course among course members. Although similar to email, you must be logged in to a course to read and send course messages. Message activity remains inside the system, and you don’t have to worry about email addresses that may be incorrect or outdated.
  • Online discussions allow students to take time to ponder before they post ideas. You can observe as students demonstrate their grasp of the material and correct misconceptions. You can extend your office hours and reach students more often during the week so that learning is continuous.

Assess your students

  • Assignments allow you to create and edit assignments as well as grade assignments submitted by students.
  • Tests and surveys functionality allows you to measure student knowledge, gauge progress, and gather information from students.
  • Turnitin Feedback Studio is a web application for the grading process that streamlines the grading process, making commenting more specific. Student work can also be compared against a database of websites and previous paper submissions from within the course and other courses, as well as other schools and universities.

Record a Lecture

If you already use Echo360 in your class, Echo360 Universal Capture enables instructors to record audio, computer screens, and webcam video. These asynchronous recordings can be edited and saved on computers or shared on Blackboard for students.

Training Resources

Hold a Synchronous Class Online via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra provides a robust platform for online collaboration and meetings, pairing full video and audio conferencing capabilities with content sharing and cloud recording. There are features in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra that allow you to replicate the classroom experience including screen sharing, whiteboards, breakout rooms, and sharing videos with sound. Visit our Blackboard Collaborate Ultra page for additional information and guidance.

  • To access Collaborate Ultra, log into your Blackboard course, using the "Virtual Meeting Space" link on your course menu. 

Training Resources

Office of Information Technology
Instructional Technology & Distance Education Services
Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library (KLM) 259
Phone: 956.326.2792
Fax: 956.326.2299
E-mail: elearning@tamiu.edu