Some technologies or tools used in Miami courses aren’t accessible in China; below you’ll find a list of possible workarounds. Please also note that though students can access some of those tools blocked in China by using Miami’s virtual proxy network (VPN), we do not recommend requiring students to use a VPN to access those tools due to legal issues with VPN usage in China. VPNs can also sometimes be unreliable.
In light of the possible technical challenges, we encourage faculty to be flexible and understanding when dealing with students in China who have returned home.
Time Difference
China is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time (3pm in Ohio is 3am the next day in China). Please consider accommodating students in China if you expect them to attend synchronous class lectures or discussions or take exams.
Quarantine
Students returning to China may be placed into mandatory quarantine in a hotel for 14 days upon arrival in the country. While many students departed by April 21 and are out of quarantine by now, some chose to depart later and may still be in quarantine. Internet access in quarantine hotels may be slow or unreliable (even for those tools that are regularly accessible such as Canvas).
Canvas
In general, students are able to access Canvas in China. The connection, however, might not be optimal and can sometimes be subject to data throttling with reduced performance based on students’ IP addresses. Canvas might also be inaccessible in quarantine hotels.
If you have links in Canvas to articles in resources such as The New York Times, Google Scholars, etc., consider embedding a permalink through the King Library. Then, students can access the content through the library rather than through the online platform itself.
Miami Email
Since Miami email is based on Gmail, technically it’s blocked in China like other Google Suite products. Students Like other Google Suite products, Gmail — and thus students’ Miami University email account — is technically blocked in China. If students have previously installed Miami’s VPN on their laptop, they may still be able to access their Miami email.
Workaround:
1. Use the Canvas Inbox tool to connect with individual students or the whole class, or use a Canvas discussion board to engage with multiple students.
2. Encourage students to forward their Miami University email to an alternate email address that they are able to check regularly. Faculty may wish to obtain an alternate email address from Chinese students so they can email them directly at their preferred email address.
3. Set up a WeChat (a mobile chat app) account in order to communicate with Chinese students, as WeChat is the most common method of communication in China.
Virtual COnferencing
As part of the Google Suite, Google Hangout/Meet does not work in China unless the student is using Miami’s VPN. Cisco Webex works in China in general. However, it may also have downgraded performance due to the data throttling between China and the United States.
Workaround:
Use other virtual conferencing tools such as Zoom, FaceTime, or WeChat video as backup plans. Those tools are not supported by Miami University and also may not meet accessibility requirements but can be used as a workaround if a synchronous meeting is needed
YouTube
YouTube doesn’t work in China unless the student is using a VPN.
Workaround:
Use Miami’s Kaltura video platform to host the videos that you have self-produced. Kaltura works in China, but you might want to limit the number of videos on a single page to accommodate students’ connection speeds.
Student-generated videos
Miami’s Kaltura video platform might be the optimal way for students to record/share their videos with the class via Canvas. Those videos can be shared in a Canvas discussion, quiz, or assignment.
Google Drive
Again, Google Drive (including Docs, Spreadsheet and Slides) is not accessible in China without using a VPN.
Workaround:
Consider using Canvas pages as a wiki page instead of Google Docs. Use Microsoft Excel for spreadsheets and Microsoft PowerPoint for Slides.
Proctorio
Proctorio itself works in China. However, students will need to use Microsoft Edge, Opera, or Brave, rather than Google Chrome.
Workaround:
If students are unable to use any of Proctorio’s supported browsers, you can allow a particular student to bypass using Proctorio. Alternatively, you as an instructor (or one of your teaching assistants) may use Webex or another virtual conferencing tool to remotely proctor the student.
