Stanford
Teach Anywhere

Remote Teaching Setup Options

Putting your courses online requires the transitioning of your assignments and course handouts to web-friendly formats, teaching to a virtual audience from your computer as opposed to a classroom of students, and figuring out how to translate the teaching style that you are so comfortable with in the classroom, to your home office. To assist with the transition of your preferred teaching style to online we have compiled a set of remote teaching setup options. Based on the teaching style you choose we will provide you with guidance on recommended equipment and capture set-up.

There are many ways to accomplish our recommended capture setups so feel free to use what you are most comfortable with. Our goal is to use common pieces of equipment that you might already have in your office for audio/video conference calls or at your home for hobbies such as online gaming or photography. While we do list suggested pieces of equipment, you can use what you have or buy whatever you like. 

On a first come, first serve basis, a limited stock of kits based on Learning Technologies & Spaces' recommended technologies are available. Please reach out to your local IT, who will be able to process your request.

My primary teaching style is...

Presenting content from my computer

Writing on the whiteboard/chalkboard

Writing on printouts or paper pad

Discussion-based lecture with no visual media

Performance/demonstration in a defined area

If none of the set-ups match your style or you have further set-up questions, feel free to reach out to us at capturesupport@lists.stanford.edu.

Teaching Scenarios

Presenting content from my computer and I digitally annotate my content.

Minimal Equipment List

  1. Laptop with digital inking capability
  2. Zoom application installed
  3. Stable Internet connection (wired connection preferred)
  4. Microphone for audio capture. Integrated laptop microphones work fine but you can improve audio quality by connecting a headset or connecting a USB microphone or webcam with integrated microphone.
  5. Webcam for video capture (optional). Integrated webcams work fine but you can also use a third party version.

Description

Use the laptop that you normally use for digital inking and continue to teach as you would in class. To capture your lectures install the Zoom app and use the screenshare function to capture the content on your computer screen. Launch your desired applications and ink as you would in class. To ensure that Zoom’s screenshare function captures whatever is displayed on your screen, choose to share the screen instead of a single application.

If in the classroom you use the projector screen as a second monitor (i.e., to allow for PowerPoint presenter mode on your computer) connect your computer to an external monitor. In Zoom be sure to share the proper screen (i.e., the one displaying the PowerPoint show vs the one displaying PowerPoint Presenter mode). For audio and video capture choose the proper microphone and camera inputs in Zoom. Be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students.

Equipment Upgrades

  1. The iPads for Teaching program managed by the Center for Teaching and Learning has a limited number of iPad/Pencil kits available for checkout.
  2. Improve the quality of your audio and video with an external headset or webcam. Don’t have the proper equipment, here’s what we recommend:
    1. Headset for audio only: Plantronics Black Wire 5220 (headset for audio only)
    2. Webcam for audio and video: Logitech C930e or Logitech Brio 4K

Back to top

Presenting content from my computer, I do not annotate my content, and I want to be on camera.

Minimal Equipment List

  1. Laptop
  2. Zoom application installed
  3. Stable Internet connection (wired connection preferred)
  4. Microphone for audio capture. Integrated laptop microphones work fine but you can improve audio quality by connecting a headset or connecting a USB microphone or webcam with integrated microphone.
  5. Webcam for video capture. Integrated webcams work fine but you can also use a third party version.

Description

Use the laptop that you normally use and continue to teach as you would in class. To capture your lectures install the Zoom app and use the screenshare function to capture the content on your computer screen. Launch your desired applications as you would in class. To ensure that Zoom’s screenshare function captures whatever is displayed on your screen, choose to share the screen instead of a single application.

If in the classroom you use the projector screen as a second monitor (i.e., to allow for PowerPoint presenter mode on your computer) connect your computer to an external monitor. In Zoom be sure to share the proper screen (i.e., the one displaying the PowerPoint show vs the one displaying PowerPoint Presenter mode). For audio and video capture choose the proper microphone and camera inputs in Zoom. Be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students.

Equipment Upgrades

Improve the quality of your audio and video with an external headset or webcam. If you don’t have the proper equipment, here’s what we recommend:

Back to top

Presenting content from my computer, I do not annotate my content, and I do not want to be on camera (audio only).

Minimal Equipment List

  1. Laptop
  2. Zoom application installed
  3. Stable Internet connection (wired connection preferred)
  4. Microphone for audio capture. Integrated laptop microphones work fine but you can improve audio quality by connecting a headset or connecting a USB microphone or webcam with integrated microphone.

Description

Use the laptop that you normally use and continue to teach as you would in class. To capture your lectures install the Zoom app and use the screenshare function to capture the content on your computer screen. Launch your desired applications as you would in class. To ensure that Zoom’s screenshare function captures whatever is displayed on your screen, choose to share the screen instead of a single application.

If in the classroom you use the projector screen as a second monitor (i.e., to allow for PowerPoint presenter mode on your computer) connect your computer to an external monitor. In Zoom be sure to share the proper screen (i.e., the one displaying the PowerPoint show vs the one displaying PowerPoint Presenter mode). For audio capture choose the proper microphone input in Zoom. To remain off camera do not start the Zoom video broadcast. Be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students.

Equipment Upgrades

Improve the quality of your audio with an external headset or webcam. If you don’t have the proper equipment, here’s what we recommend: 

Back to top

Write on a whiteboard/chalkboard and I will continue to have a mounted writing surface available to me

Minimal Equipment List

  1. Laptop
  2. Zoom application installed
  3. Stable Internet connection (wired connection preferred)
  4. Microphone for audio capture. Integrated laptop microphones work fine but you can improve audio quality by connecting a headset or connecting a USB microphone or webcam with integrated microphone. A wireless microphone is ideal and enhances your mobility.
  5. Webcam for video capture. Integrated webcams work fine but an external webcam is preferred to simplify video framing.
  6. Tripod to stabilize an external webcam and simplify video framing.

Description

If available, connect external headset, microphone, and/or webcam to your laptop. To capture your lectures install the Zoom app. Launch Zoom and for audio and video capture choose the proper microphone and camera inputs. Be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students. Frame your writing space by moving the camera until you are satisfied with the area being captured in the video. Do a few test captures to ensure your writing is legible and your audio is being captured clearly by the microphone (especially when you are talking with your back to the microphone). A wireless mic will improve your audio capture. 

Equipment Upgrades

Improve the quality of your audio and video with a wireless microphone and an external webcam mounted on a tripod. Here’s what we recommend:

Back to top

I usually write on a whiteboard/chalkboard, will not have a mounted writing surface available to me, but still want to write with a pen on a physical surface.

Minimal Equipment List

  1. Laptop
  2. Zoom application installed
  3. Stable Internet connection (wired connection preferred)
  4. Microphone for audio capture. Integrated laptop microphones work fine but you can improve audio quality by connecting a headset or connecting a USB microphone or webcam with integrated microphone.
  5. Webcam for video capture but if you have a USB DocCam that's even better. If using a webcam, set it up so the lens points down. An external webcam is highly recommended to simplify video framing but it's possible to use a rear-facing laptop webcam.
  6. Tripod to stabilize an external webcam and simplify video framing.

Description

Connect external headset, microphone, or webcam to your laptop if available. To capture your lectures install the Zoom app. Launch Zoom and for audio and video capture choose the proper microphone and camera inputs. Be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students. Adjust the position of the camera to frame the desired workspace while also ensuring the picture is properly oriented (not upside down). Use a dark-colored marker or pen to enhance contrast of your handwriting on camera.

Equipment Upgrades

  1. Simplify the technical set-up with a USB document camera with integrated microphone. Here's what we recommend: IPEVO VZ-R Document Camera
  2. Improve the quality of your audio and video with an external webcam. Here’s what we recommend: Logitech C930e or Logitech Brio 4K
  3. Simplify framing of an external webcam by using a tripod. Here's what we recommend: Joby Gorillapod 3K, but any tripod with a standard 1/4 inch screw mount and a swivel head that can angle down will work.

Back to top

I usually write on a whiteboard/chalkboard but will not have a mounted writing surface available to me so would like to try inking on a digital tablet.

Recommended equipment

iPad Pro with Apple Pencil

The iPads for Teaching program managed by the Center for Teaching and Learning has a limited number of iPad/Pencil kits available for checkout. 

Description

Capture handwritten notes digitally, annotate over apps such as PowerPoint/Keynote/etc, or demonstrate iOS apps on an iPad.

Sample Capture

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1P5Qmle9RDpSb3bXseIWhcS9v9CTLAuRw 

There are two ways to achieve this:

  1. Run Zoom directly on an iPad Pro and use the built-in mic or connect your headphones to the iPad. Talking-head video not possible due to positioning of the iPad. Launch Zoom and for "Share Content," choose "Screen." Click "Start Broadcast" then close the recording prompt screen by swiping up. Zoom will now capture anything that displays on the iPad screen including any apps you open and any inking you do within the apps. When done, end the screen share.
  2. If you have a Mac, run Zoom on your computer then connect your iPad to the computer via USB. Within Zoom start a screen share and choose to share “iPad connected via USB.”  Anything you do on the iPad now gets displayed in Zoom via the screen share. For audio and a talking head video you can use what is integrated on your computer or connect a quality USB camera or headset. Choose the proper microphone and camera inputs and be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students.

Equipment Upgrades (if connecting iPad to a Mac)

Improve the quality of your audio with an external headset or webcam. If you don’t have the proper equipment, here’s what we recommend: Headset for audio only: Plantronics Black Wire 5220; Webcam for audio and video: Logitech C930e or Logitech Brio 4K

Back to top

I write on printouts or a paper pad and want to continue doing so.

Minimal Equipment List

  1. Laptop
  2. Zoom application installed
  3. Stable Internet connection (wired connection preferred)
  4. Microphone for audio capture. Integrated laptop microphones work fine but you can improve audio quality by connecting a headset or connecting a USB microphone or webcam with integrated microphone.
  5. Webcam for video capture but if you have a USB DocCam that's even better. If using a webcam, set it up so the lens points down. An external webcam is highly recommended to simplify video framing but it's possible to use a rear-facing laptop webcam.
  6. Tripod to stabilize an external webcam and simplify video framing.

Description

Connect external headset, microphone, or webcam to your laptop if available. To capture your lectures install the Zoom app. Launch Zoom and for audio and video capture choose the proper microphone and camera inputs. Be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students. Adjust the position of the camera to frame the desired workspace while also ensuring the picture is properly oriented (not upside down). Use a dark-colored marker or pen to enhance contrast of your handwriting on camera.

Equipment Upgrades

  1. Simplify the technical set-up with a USB document camera with integrated microphone. Here's what we recommend: IPEVO VZ-R Document Camera
  2. Improve the quality of your audio and video with an external webcam (not needed in conjunction with the IPEVO doc cam). Here’s what we recommend: Logitech C930e or Logitech Brio 4K
  3. Simplify framing of an external webcam by using a tripod. Here's what we recommend: Joby Gorillapod 3K, but any tripod with a standard 1/4 inch screw mount and a swivel head that can angle down will work.

Back to top

I write on printouts or a paper pad but would like to try inking on a digital tablet. 

Recommended equipment

iPad Pro with Apple Pencil: The iPads for Teaching program managed by the Center for Teaching and Learning has a limited number of iPad/Pencil kits available for checkout. 

Description

Capture handwritten notes digitally, annotate over apps such as PowerPoint/Keynote/etc, or demonstrate iOS apps on an iPad.

Sample Capture

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1P5Qmle9RDpSb3bXseIWhcS9v9CTLAuRw 

There are two ways to achieve this:

  1. Run Zoom directly on an iPad Pro and use the built-in mic or connect your headphones to the iPad. Talking-head video not possible due to positioning of the iPad. Launch Zoom and for "Share Content," choose "Screen." Click "Start Broadcast" then close the recording prompt screen by swiping up. Zoom will now capture anything that displays on the iPad screen including any apps you open and any inking you do within the apps. When done, end the screen share.
  2. If you have a Mac, run Zoom on your computer then connect your iPad to the computer via USB. Within Zoom start a screen share and choose to share “iPad connected via USB.”  Anything you do on the iPad now gets displayed in Zoom via the screen share. For audio and a talking head video you can use what is integrated on your computer or connect a quality USB camera or headset. Choose the proper microphone and camera inputs and be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students.

Equipment Upgrades (if connecting iPad to a Mac)

Improve the quality of your audio with an external headset or webcam. If you don’t have the proper equipment, here’s what we recommend: 

Back to top

My teaching is discussion-based with no visual media and I would like to simply sit in front of my computer while lecturing.

Minimal Equipment List

  1. Laptop
  2. Zoom application installed
  3. Stable Internet connection (wired connection preferred)
  4. Microphone for audio capture. Integrated laptop microphones work fine but you can improve audio quality by connecting a headset or connecting a USB microphone or webcam with integrated microphone.
  5. Webcam for video capture. Integrated webcams work fine but you can also use a third party version.

Description

Use the laptop that you normally use and continue to teach as you would in class. To capture your lectures install the Zoom app and use the screenshare function to capture the content on your computer screen. Launch your desired applications as you would in class. To ensure that Zoom’s screenshare function captures whatever is displayed on your screen, choose to share the screen instead of a single application.

If in the classroom you use the projector screen as a second monitor (i.e., to allow for PowerPoint presenter mode on your computer) connect your computer to an external monitor. In Zoom be sure to share the proper screen (i.e., the one displaying the PowerPoint show vs the one displaying PowerPoint Presenter mode).

For audio and video capture choose the proper microphone and camera inputs in Zoom. Also, be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students.

Equipment Upgrades

Improve the quality of your audio and video with an external headset or webcam. If you don’t have the proper equipment, here’s what we recommend:

Back to top

My teaching is discussion-based with no visual media but I would like to be able to walk (not just sit) around while lecturing.

Minimal Equipment List

  1. Laptop
  2. Zoom application installed
  3. Stable Internet connection (wired connection preferred)
  4. Microphone for audio capture. Integrated laptop microphones work fine but you can improve audio quality by connecting a headset or connecting a USB microphone or webcam with integrated microphone. A wireless microphone is ideal and enhances your mobility.
  5. Webcam for video capture. Integrated webcams work fine but an external webcam is preferred to simplify video framing.
  6. Tripod to stabilize an external webcam and simplify video framing.

Description

Connect external headset, microphone, or webcam to your laptop if available. Mount camera to a tripod to simply video framing. To capture your lectures install the Zoom app. Launch Zoom and for audio and video capture choose the proper microphone and camera inputs. Be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students.

Equipment Upgrades

Improve the quality of your audio and video with a wireless microphone and an external webcam mounted on a tripod. Here’s what we recommend: 

Back to top

My teaching is centered around a performance or demonstration in a defined area.

Minimal Equipment List

  1. Laptop
  2. Zoom application installed
  3. Stable Internet connection (wired connection preferred)
  4. Microphone for audio capture. Integrated laptop microphones work fine but you can improve audio quality by connecting a headset or connecting a USB microphone or webcam with integrated microphone. A wireless microphone is ideal and enhances your mobility.
  5. Webcam for video capture. Integrated webcams work fine but an external webcam is preferred to simplify video framing.
  6. Tripod to stabilize an external webcam and simplify video framing.

Description

Connect external headset, microphone, or webcam to your laptop if available. Mount camera to a tripod to simply video framing. To capture your lectures install the Zoom app. Launch Zoom and for audio and video capture choose the proper microphone and camera inputs. Be sure to select the appropriate speaker output if hosting interactive sessions so that you can hear your online students.

Equipment Upgrades

Improve the quality of your audio and video with a wireless microphone and an external webcam mounted on a tripod. Here’s what we recommend: 

Back to top

My teaching is centered around a performance or demonstration and the camera needs to follow me or focus in on details.

We don't currently have a capture kit solution that fits your exact needs but we'd love to discuss options with you. Please contact us for a consultation at capturesupport@lists.stanford.edu.

Please note that while these setup options refer to Zoom as the capture solution, you can use Panopto instead (Panopto allows live streaming and student interaction via chat with a 40 sec delay).