Goal 2
Pursue IT solutions under the guidance of our academic partners that facilitate effective research, enrich teaching and learning, and enhance institutional competitiveness for extramural funding.
Flexible Online and On-Site Learning
When the University began navigating the complexity of reopening for the 2020-21 school year, ITS focused on giving instructors flexibility to teach their chosen modality.
Classroom Technology
ITS added self-service lecture capture capabilities to an additional 150 classrooms on the Storrs and regional campuses before the start of the 2020 Fall semester. In classrooms equipped with self-service capabilities, instructors can stream or record their lectures on the fly and do not need additional support from technicians. With this added flexibility and with the optimal speakers, cameras, and microphones installed in the classrooms, instructors could more easily deliver a high-quality experience for online or hybrid classes.
Web Conferencing Improvements
The University supports Webex, Microsoft Teams, and Collaborate for video and web conferencing, and all three can be used to deliver coursework virtually. All three platforms released updates and new features frequently, such as cohosting capabilities, breakout rooms, and refined interfaces, which we implemented and communicated about as they became available.
We also integrated Webex into HuskyCT. Because they are separate systems, instructors and students had to move between them to send meeting links and session recordings or to complete other common tasks. ITS received feedback that instructors and students wanted a more streamlined experience when using Webex with online classes. In response, we have researched and enabled a plugin that allows instructors to schedule Webex meetings within Blackboard, post session recordings, and manage office hours.