Redbirds Keep Teaching
The spring of 2022 offers continued challenges to teaching and learning as Illinois State University moves forward with the COVID-19 pandemic.
This page collects resources to help instructors to apply the lessons learned from the pandemic to create agile, engaging lessons for students in the coming semester.
Quick Links
Transition to Online Teaching
Teaching with Zoom
Classroom Technology
Syllabus Language
Student Attendance
Helping Students Get Help
ReggieNet Course Templates
Redbirds Keep Learning
The Center for Integrated Professional Development can help you to plan. Email ProDev@ilstu.edu to discuss options.
Spring 2022 Updates
Preparing and Delivering Online Course Content
Create your syllabus
Required and suggested syllabus language covering a variety of topics, including accessibility, recording class sessions, and absences.
Teaching with Zoom
A guide to using Zoom in combination with ReggieNet. Includes short video tutorials, handouts, and links to pre-recorded webinars.
Also see this list of suggestions for making sure your Zoom meeting is secure and managing student behavior online.
Transition to Online Learning
Use this strategy guide to transition portions of your face-to-face course for online delivery.
Student absences and attendance
University policy 2.1.30 covers the documentation process for Excused Student Absences Due to Communicable Disease.
Teaching and Learning through Student Absences - guidance on dealing with student attendance and absences, including suggestions for syllabus language.
Equity in online teaching
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Online Courses - a compilation of resources from across the country on ensuring equity in online learning.
Accessibility
Ensuring digital materials meet the needs of all students is an important consideration when moving instruction to online spaces.
- Consult the University's Website and Digital Accessibility page for tutorials on working with Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and other forms of electronic media.
- Use these step-by-step instructions to give students extended time on ReggieNet assessments.
- Advise students in need of accommodation assistance to contact Student Access and Accommodation Services.
ReggieNet instructor support
Handouts and how-to videos covering many of the tools available in Illinois State University's official learning management system.
ReggieNet course site templates
The Center offers four different templates for ReggieNet course sites. These templates serve as "shells," which instructors can customize to provide enhanced student experiences.
Pre-recording online lectures
Two recommended methods for quickly adding voice to lectures and presentations.
Student privacy in online learning spaces
Legal language concerning online recordings and FERPA considerations in regards to distance learning.
Can I require students to use a webcam?
Important considerations before requiring students to be "on camera" for synchronous classes.
Online Assessments
Online exams
A guide to preparing for remote or online exams, useful for both hybrid and fully online teaching situations.
Proctortrack
Proctortrack is specialized software available to instructors on a limited basis for delivering certain kinds of assessments. Consult this guide to using Proctortrack with the ReggieNet Tests & Quizzes tool.
Use this form to request access to Proctortrack. You may be prompted to enter your ISU ULID and password.
Alternative Test Proctoring
Advice for other methods of designing tests in the online environment.
Working with Students
Student Feedback
Student assessments of teaching and learning is an essential part of improving their educational experience. Explore options for gathering student feedback mid-semester.
Helping students get help
Faculty Toolkit for Student Success - a comprehensive list of resources to help instructors connect students with the help they need.
Tech Help for Faculty and Students
A one-page summary of help resources for both instructors and students.
Return to Face-to-Face Instruction
Prepare now for challenges as we return to in-class teaching and learning, including considerations based on recent changed to mask requirements.
Communicating health and safety in the classroom
Advice covering health and safety in the classroom, including communicating with students about mask compliance issues.
Classroom technology for Spring 2022
All general use classrooms at Illinois State are fitted with webcams with microphones, Zoom, and the ability to use the document camera in Zoom. These technologies allow instructors to record lectures, and in the event of a "suddenly blended" situation, they can help students who must quarantine join a class session remotely. Some classrooms also feature a special wide-angle camera that allows instructors to change the view from the web camera to the instructor at the whiteboard. Learn more and view demonstration videos on the Classroom Technology page.
Note: Classroom improvements are designed to give instructors options. Faculty will not be expected to provide an online option in classes that require face-to-face meetings (either fully in-person or hybrid).
Personal voice amplifiers
The University can provide instructors with a personal voice amplifier for use when teaching while wearing a mask. Learn more about technology options on the Classroom Technology page.
Additional Resources
Virtual computer labs and apps
Students and instructors can access virtual resources through Remote.IllinoisState.edu. This includes access to generally available software. Instructors should contact their department/college IT to request specialized software.
Milner Library
For Milner Library's current hours, please visit Library.IllinoisState.edu.
For more information about Milner Library’s COVID-19 response go to Library.IllinoisState.edu/COVID-19/
Connect with Milner librarians in person on Floor 2 or by phone, text, email, and online chat.
Center Support for Spring 2022 Teaching
Faculty Prep Week (January 3 - 7)
The Center for Integrated Professional Development offers several workshops to help instructors prepare to teach. Topics this semester include getting started with ReggieNet, hosting videos on Microsoft Stream, and how to address issues of accessibility in teaching.
Let's Talk Teaching Podcast
Check out the Center's Let's Talk Teaching podcast for episodes on teaching and student experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.