Summer teaching often brings a change of pace, and sometimes a change of location. Whether you’re instructing from a home office, a quiet beach town, or in between conference sessions, teaching online doesn’t have to tie you to one physical spot. With the right setup, you can stay connected, responsive, and professional—from anywhere.

Here are some practical tech setup tips for instructors preparing to teach remotely or while traveling this summer:

1. Prioritize a Reliable Internet Connection

If you’ll be teaching synchronously or uploading media, prioritize a location with stable Wi-Fi. Before traveling, investigate the connection speed where you’ll be staying. You can use tools like Speedtest.net to check your upload/download speeds.

If you anticipate spotty service, consider:

• Having a mobile hotspot or tethering plan as a backup.
• Downloading key course materials in advance (e.g., slides, PDFs).
• Letting students know proactively if your availability might briefly shift.

2. Invest in a Headset or External Microphone

Built-in laptop mics often pick up background noise or sound muffled. A lightweight headset with a microphone improves clarity for both video recordings and Zoom calls. Students appreciate clear audio more than you might think, as it’s one of the most important parts of an accessible learning experience.

3. Choose a Simple, Neutral Background

If you’re video conferencing or recording lectures, keep your background simple and uncluttered. A plain wall or virtual background (Zoom has built-in options) works well. This reduces distractions and maintains a professional presence, even in informal spaces.

4. Use Cloud Storage to Stay Flexible

Storing materials in cloud-based platforms like Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or Clemson Box ensures that you can access your files from anywhere, and from any device. This is especially helpful if you’re using shared or backup hardware while on the move.

5. Check Your Course on Mobile

Many students access Canvas and course materials on their phones, especially during summer terms. If you’re teaching from a phone or tablet yourself, make sure your course layout is easy to navigate on mobile as well. Avoid large image files or overly complex tables, which can be difficult to view or interact with.

6. Stay Present, Even If You’re Remote

Use features like scheduled announcements, auto-posting discussions, and pre-recorded video messages to maintain your instructor presence. These small gestures keep students engaged and supported, even when you’re in transit or temporarily offline.

Teaching from anywhere requires some planning, but it also offers flexibility that online learning was designed to support. With a few thoughtful tech choices, you can lead a responsive, professional course while making the most of your summer schedule.

Upcoming Events

Workshop Wednesday: Simple Strategies for Making Your Canvas Course Beautiful

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 1:30-2:30pm

Join us for “Workshop Wednesday: Simple Strategies for Making Your Canvas Course Beautiful” on July 16, from 1:30-2:30 pm! This workshop will cover simple strategies and handy templates you can use to make your Canvas pages and assessments consistent and effective. Specifically, this workshop will cover using icons, buttons, banners, and customizable page and assessment templates to make your Canvas course look inviting and clear.

Facilitated by Millie Tullis, Digital Learning Strategist

Register here to receive the Zoom link.

Best Practices for Online Group Work

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 1:30pm-2:30pm

Join us for “Best Practices for Online Group Work” on July 30, from 1:30-2:30 pm! This workshop will cover how to best design group projects, peer reviews, small group discussions, and more to increase engagement in your online a/synchronous classroom. If you have a specific question you want covered during this training, please enter it when you register.

Facilitated by James Butler, Digital Learning Strategist

Register here to receive the Zoom link.

Clemson Online Summer 2025 Events Calendar

Review our Summer 2025 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!

We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!

All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.

Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.

Clemson Online – Where Tech and Teaching Meet