Effective working and teaching remotely require a high-performance internet connection. Before the fall quarter begins, we encourage you to evaluate the internet bandwidth at your remote teaching location to ensure a smooth start to instruction. The simplest way to test your network speed is to use this tool: https://speedtest.net, and verify that your reported speed is what you expect it should be.
In the event you encounter any issues with your connection, there are several options to mitigate the impact on your instruction.
View UCI TechPrep Internet Resources
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) has created a resource page providing faculty with various options to address internet connectivity concerns and minimize or eliminate performance issues. Within this resource, you will find information on a variety of steps you can take to help aid your connectivity issues.
- Improving Broadband Internet: Tips for testing and strengthening your residential service, upgrading your modem, or boosting your Wifi signal
- Smartphone Hotspot Tethering: If broadband improvements are not successful, you may try using your mobile phone as a wifi hotspot
- Mobile WiFi Hotspot: If you need a more reliable or back up Wifi hotspot, you can obtain and use a dedicated mobile hotspot device
- Internet Service Providers and Plan Information: Links to support, plan and COVID-related resources from several internet providers
- Low-Cost Internet Options: Links to cost-effective provider options
Record or Lecture from Campus
Classroom Use
If you do not have a suitable internet connection at home or repeatedly encounter connectivity issues that impede your ability to teach effectively, general assignment classrooms are available for preparing and delivering remote courses. Please review the Use of Teaching Space Plans for important guidance on accessing any campus facility. When you are ready to reserve a room, please work with your Schedule of Classes Coordinator to submit the request to the Registrar.
Campus Office Use
Instructors and TAs are also permitted to use campus offices for remote teaching. If you choose to do this, it is essential that you contact your department and make sure they have approved plans in place for the occupancy of your space. More details are available in the Use of Teaching Space Plans document, under the Unit-controlled spaces section.
For University Hills Residents
For faculty in the University Hills community, Cox has recently made several improvements in the area to reduce network congestion, however, a new cable modem or a wifi extender might be required to take advantage of these improvements. More information can be found on the UCI TechPrep website under Cox Resources. Specific concerns can be communicated directly to the Irvine Campus Housing Authority (ICHA):
- Andrew Herndon (aherndon@uci.edu) 949.824.4068
- Barbara Correa (barbara.correa@icha.uci.edu) 949.824.3974
If you have further questions or need additional assistance, please contact the OIT Help Desk at oit@uci.edu.
Sincerely,
Kian Colestock
Chief Information Officer (Interim)
Associate Vice Chancellor
Michael Dennin
Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning
Dean, Division of Undergraduate Education
Gillian Hayes
Kleist Professor of Informatics
Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Dean of the Graduate Division