Teaching

Getting Started

1. There are two major types of rooms: Zoom Software and Video-conferencing. Almost all rooms are equipped with a Windows lectern PC as a default presentation source.
2. Zoom Software rooms are primarily designed for blended/remote learning. To share content with remote participants, you must present from the Windows lectern PC.
3. Video-conferencing (VTC) rooms are often used for classes connecting across multiple campuses. You can present either from the lectern PC or from your own device.

New and returning professors are strongly encouraged to visit their classrooms prior to semester start. Each classroom space is unique and may have different connections, configurations, or capabilities. 

While VTC rooms do have more functionality than Zoom Software rooms, both are actually capable of streaming/recording through Zoom in a blended or hybrid environment. Please check out our CORE Classroom Technology Guide linked in the intro of this page. 

FAQs

How do I know what type of room I am teaching in?

What display/video connections are available in the classrooms?

Most classrooms have HDMI and VGA ports but may not have the cables/adapters. Some classrooms are VGA only. If you are using your own device, you will need to furnish your own cables/adapters. Note that using these ports - or your own device - is not advised in Zoom Software / Blended Learning rooms. Please see below for more information. 

Why can't I use my own laptop in Zoom Software / Blended Learning rooms?

The audio and video equipment in Zoom Software / Blended Learning rooms is directly connected to the Windows lectern PC. Any content you wish to share or stream for remote learners - or to record for later - must be shared through that lectern computer. 

While VTC rooms are most often used by classes requiring VTC functionality, it is still possible to conduct blended or hybrid learning from these rooms. This optionality is presented under the Helpful Tips heading of the Video-conferencing (VTC) section above. 

When should I use local presentation mode? 

Local presentations may be useful for unplanned meetings in Zoom Software rooms only if no remote participation, streaming, or recording functions are needed. The room content is not connected to the Zoom session in this mode, so remote participants cannot view content you share/present in this way. 

Local presentation mode in VTC rooms is not advised as it is no longer a supported option. Since the same functionality is available in VTC mode, there is no benefit to using Local Presentation in VTC rooms. 

When do I need to dial out or dial into the room? 

If you are in a VTC room, you will have to dial into that room from the lectern PC or your own device. Similarly - when connecting two classrooms or campuses - you also have to dial the other room. This requires the remote or "receiving" classroom to be powered on. 

If you are in a Zoom Software / Blended Learning room, the room is already connected to the Windows lectern, and you simply have to start your Zoom meeting to share any content you choose.

What is AirMedia?

AirMedia is a feature that is only available in newer Zoom Software rooms. It allows you to present your screen wirelessly (no cables). This feature is not recommended as the result is lower quality video. However, if you find that you do not have the right cable or adapter, AirMedia is a workaround solution to present content. 

CORE IT staff provides Tier 1 support for CU-ICAR's Audio-Visual (AV) technology at the following locations:

For detailed information about the AV technology in supported classrooms, conference rooms, and event spaces, please check out the CU-ICAR Audio-Visual Technology (PDF). An overview is provided below. 

Classroom Technology

Currently, courses are taught from classrooms in CGEC and ORD. Small classes may also be taught in conference rooms, for which you can reference our PDF guide. For all rooms with Zoom integration, as well as those those equipped with document cameras, laminated instructions are available at the podium.

Supported configurations and equipment in our locations include: 

• Bring-your-own-device (BYOD), which is available in all rooms
• Zoom integration for remote streaming and recording
• Available equipment:
  • Podium PCs
  • Lapel microphones
  • Handheld/wireless microphones
  • Document cameras

To present into a Zoom meeting, the device connected to Zoom cannot be the source presenting over HDMI. That is, a secondary presentation device is needed to prevent the "infinite mirror" image. More information about room specifications, equipment, and tips can be found in our PDF guide. 

Conference Rooms 

Conference rooms in CGEC, ORD, and the Partnership Office are used by administrative staff and faculty, but conference rooms such as CGEC-423 may be used to teach smaller courses. Some rooms are integrated with Zoom for streaming and recording, while others are intended for local presentations only. For all rooms with Zoom integration, laminated instructions are included in the room. Our PDF guide linked above provides additional specifications. 

Event Support

On top of regular duties, CORE IT staff helps to facilitate and/or instruct those using Audio-Visual technology for partner events. These events are commonly held either at the TD Gallery or AT&T Auditorium, which are in the Partnership office and CGEC respectively. For more information about supported locations, our PDF guide above provides additional specifications. 

To provide the best event support for faculty, partners, and attendees, we ask that you please coordinate with IT staff a minimum of (3) business days ahead of all events. This will allow IT staff to communicate on technology capabilities and use cases. Requests for support will be handled on a first-come, first-serve basis per staff availability.

iROAR, otherwise known as Banner, is Clemson's Student Information System. This system is primarily where students and their faculty advisors will review and sign up for courses to meet degree requirements. 

Courses to which professor(s) are assigned to teach will automatically be available in the Banner system for students to enroll in. There may be cases where students will reach out requesting to be added, as many courses will have waitlists. To assist with student course sign-ups and exceptions, please see the the faculty/advisor portal.

Clemson University uses the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver course content to students. Canvas is a feature-rich LMS that is integrated with our  iROAR/Banner Student Information System. Because of this integration, all courses with enrolled students are automatically generated under the instructor's account. From there, instructors are free to design the course as they wish. Additional information can be found here:

• Canvas and related FAQs
• Search for articles on Canvas features/functions 
• See OTEI services for additional course design help

Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation

The Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation (OTEI) provides a host of services as well as special events and programming related to teaching, resources for teaching at Clemson, and teaching tools and strategies.

Resources

• Course and Curricular Design Resources
• Course Delivery, Teaching Practices, and Class Management
• Assessment, Test, and Assignment Design
• Active Learning and Active Lecturing
• Teaching as Research
• Review of Teaching
• Disciplinary Teaching Resources
• Inclusive Teaching and Universal Design
• Webinars

Palmetto Cluster

Clemson's Research and Computing Division (RCD) provides high performance computing (HPC) nodes, otherwise known as the Palmetto cluster. It is heavily utilized by researchers, faculty, and students from a broad range of disciplines. Currently, Palmetto is comprised of 1786 compute nodes (totaling 34916 CPU cores). For additional specifications, see the Palmetto cluster statistics. 

The Palmetto Cluster operates on a condominium model, whereby all users, including node owners, can benefit from available hardware in the cluster. Node owners have priority access to queue jobs on their nodes, but other users on the cluster may take advantage of idle time on the node to run their jobs.

Under this model, purchasing compute hardware for the cluster benefits both you and the greater community of Palmetto users. Palmetto also offers free access to anyone at Clemson, with additional paid plans available for node purchases that can be shared with external collaborators.

Obtaining an account on the Palmetto Cluster

An account is required to access and use the Palmetto cluster. All Clemson University students, faculty and staff can request a Palmetto Cluster account. Once you submit the form, the process is:

1. Pending approval: An email is sent to your adviser, sponsor or supervisor,
2. Upon approval, the RCD team provisions your account, and
3. Approved users should attend an onboarding session. 

Helpful Resources

To help researchers share ideas and chat collaboratively, you can share ideas and best practices using RCD Mattermost. 

To view the Palmetto cluster dashboard, you can navigate to XDMOD. Here, you can also login to view the status of personal jobs, which requires a connection to the Campus network (VPN or direct). 

For infrastructure support, you can also request support from the RCD team.