Inform students of technical requirements. Provide information to students about required technologies used in the course and who to contact with questions. Some online programs, such as LPS and MHCI, also provide this information to prospective students along with other program policies.
Host all materials in Canvas. There are no known international access restrictions on learning management systems. Canvas is PennKey-protected and students can securely access course content. However, some international users may still experience long page load times, time-out errors, or certain elements not loading correctly.
Store video content in Panopto. Panopto is a private alternative to video hosting platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo, which are blocked in several countries. It also integrates directly into Canvas sites via the Class Recordings menu item.
Avoid posting files that require downloading. Students living in regions with low-speed connectivity may not be able to download and open large files, such as PowerPoint presentations. Consider embedding content to display in Canvas or converting files to PDF, which can be viewed directly within a browser or more easily downloaded.
Recommend that students use desktop apps. Some applications, such as Microsoft365 suite, can be accessed online or downloaded to a desktop. Students whose internet connection is unreliable or highly restricted may wish to download the desktop versions to avoid losing their work due to connection interruptions.
Create spaces for collaboration. Many collaboration-focused web tools are among those prohibited in certain countries. Consider using communication tools within Canvas, such as whole- or small-group Discussions, Announcements, or Inbox, to provide accessible spaces for students to collaborate on projects and participate in the course community.
