Bits N Bytes from IT: August 2018

August 22, 2018

Wi-fi Update

If you were previously connected to campus wi-fi and are now unable to connect since returning, submit an ITicket through the Help Desk to request assistance. We resolved the wi-fi issues we experienced a few weeks ago, but some people may still by experiencing residual problems. Also, be patient as you register your devices; high volume at the beginning of the semester may temporarily cause slower performance.

Google Drive Offline Access

We’ve enabled offline access for the files you store in the Google Drive of your Valpo account. This will allow you to save files locally on your devices, whether laptops, tablets, or smartphones, so you can still access them without an internet connection. For more information on how to use files offline, visit this Google help page: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375012

Local Admin

By mid-September, all changes to local administrator access will be complete on faculty and staff office computers. We appreciate the cooperation we’ve received across campus during this process, which will help to better secure University data and reduce risks of malicious cyber activity. If you get prompted for local administrator credentials on your computer, contact the local admin in your department. A list of departmental local admins is available in Confluence at https://confluence.valpo.edu/display/POL/Departmental+Technology+and+Security+Decision+Makers.

Lynda.com from LinkedIn

It’s never too late to incorporate new content into your learning plan, whether in the classroom or personally. Our campus-wide premiere subscription to Lynda.com from LinkedIn lets you learn any number of professional, creative, or technical skills.

  • Faculty: use the library to enhance the classroom experience and allow you more time to focus on teaching concepts instead of mechanics.
  • Staff: develop your skills and achieve your professional development goals.
  • Students: access content around the clock and make it easier to get the information you need when you need it – even if that means during an all-night session working on a paper or project.

Watch for recommended courses in Campus Chronicle, or submit an ITicket to request a personalized consultation with Becky Klein, manager of IT communications.

Exciting changes are coming in spring semester as Lynda.com fully merges with LinkedIn to create a robust platform to help you achieve your professional goals. Stay tuned for more information!

Microsoft updates on office computers

Microsoft released a major update for Windows 10 that needs to be installed on all Valpo-owned equipment. This update became available for installation on Wednesday, Aug. 1, and was pushed out to all computers beginning Wednesday, Aug, 8. These updates require you to restart your computer after completion.

Instructions for installing Windows updates are available at our knowledge base. https://confluence.valpo.edu/display/ITKB/Install+Windows+Updates

We also encourage faculty and staff who have been away from the campus network to allow extra time for any additional pending computer updates that need to be installed when returning to campus.

WebEx – Faculty/Staff

IT invites faculty and staff to use WebEx services to connect and collaborate in cloud-based, interactive meetings and online interactions. Use WebEx from any computer with an internet connection, and from most mobile devices. Schedule a WebEx lecture or meeting ahead of time, or start one spontaneously as needed.

  • Faculty: use WebEx Training Center to present your entire class to distance learners from anywhere to anywhere.   
  • Staff: use to WebEx to share documents, hold online meetings, and collaborate on team projects.  

To request an account and get started, visit valpo.webex.com and click on the login button.

WebEx – Students

IT invites students to use WebEx services to connect and collaborate in video meetings, online classes, or with friends & family spread far and wide. This free service is available to all Valpo students at connect.valpo.edu. Visit the site to request an account, and follow the instructions you receive via email.

What can you use it for? Share your screen, your voice, and high-def video with meeting attendees at a distance. Connect with parents, family, and even friends around the world. Collaborate with a group on a project or speak with experts in your field.

Top Hat

Instructors can create an unlimited number of courses to engage students with interactive slides, graded questions, polls, assignments, and more. Blackboard Learn integration is available for gradebook synchronization. To get started, set up a meeting with our dedicated Top Hat training specialist, Lisa Hecht, via this webpage: https://meetme.so/TopHatLisaHecht

Students can use smartphones, tablets, laptops, and ordinary cell phones to participate. Subscription codes will be available for students to purchase in the Valpo Bookstore.

Faculty and students can get support directly through their account on the Top Hat website or in the device app.

If you’re interested in being inspired on incorporating this tool into your teaching, consider attending the Engage 2018 conference in Chicago. We’ve got some discount codes to reduce the cost of attending the conference; if you’re interested, contact Kevin Steele, director of academic technology, for details.

Read&Write Gold

Students, faculty, and staff have access to the award-winning Read&Write literacy software from Texthelp. Read&Write makes the web, documents, and files more accessible. It’s a friendly, intuitive toolbar that assists learners at all levels with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, researching assignments, and proofing written work.

Valpo students, faculty, and staff have access to install the software on both University-provided and personally-owned machines through our licensing agreement.

Faculty & staff: Interested in incorporating this tool into your course design to help your students be more successful? Contact Jen Gregory, director of instructional design, in VITAL for assistance with developing text for your course syllabi to help students be more aware of this resource.

Office 365/On the Hub e-store

All students, faculty, and staff are invited to take advantage of access to free Office 365 on personally-owned devices. For more information, visit our knowledge base. https://apps.valpo.edu/confluence/display/ITKB/Frequently+Asked+Questions+-+Office+365

Additionally, students can get great deals on software packages like Adobe Creative Cloud, Windows 10, and SPSS by visiting our On The Hub e-store, available at valpo.onthehub.com.

Slate is coming!

OCI is working with the Undergraduate and Graduate Admission Teams to launch Slate as our new software solution for receiving and processing applications for admission to Valparaiso University. Slate is currently used by over 800 colleges and universities worldwide, and has been a great partner to work with.

We recently launched the applications for admission and prospective student inquiry forms on the Slate platform, and will be working progressively at implementing and integrating additional features.

Office Hours with Kevin Steele

Are you interested in one-on-one assistance with any academic technology on campus? Take advantage of virtual office hours with Kevin Steele, director of academic technology. These sessions will continue to be offered on Tuesday mornings from 9-11:30 a.m. via WebEx through the end of fall semester. Drop in as needed online: https://valpo.webex.com/meet/ksteele

Blackboard Transact Updates

We updated a number of older card readers in preparation for upcoming technology upgrades for the Blackboard Transact system.

Mueller and Heidbrink Halls are now controlled by swipe access to enter the building as part of the Provost’s Academic Access Policy. More buildings will be added to the system in the future.

Classroom Updates

IT staff completed a number of upgrades in classrooms around campus, including completely new presentation technology in Neils 224 and 234, LeBien 16 and 105, Gellersen 233, and VUCA 1412. VUCA 1412 is now a full distance learning classroom in addition to spaces in Urschel and LeBien. Other classrooms received Solstice presentation technology.

Solstice Technology

Solstice presentation technology is available in a growing number of rooms across campus to help facilitate presenting from a laptop or mobile device. Up to four devices from multiple participants can be connected and share their screens with others in the room. A wide variety of devices, including Mac OS, Windows, iOS, Android, and others, can easily get started.

Use a Password Manager

Have you considered using a password manager to help maintain the security of your login information? Given the increasing number of data breaches, it’s more important than ever to maintain separate passwords for each site where you have an account. You should never use the same password you use for Valpo systems on any other site. There are several great password manager tools available, including 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane, and many more. Need help selecting one? Submit an ITicket and request a consultation.

Confluence

Have you heard about Confluence yet? Do you have business processes you would like to have documented but don’t know where or how to begin? Watch our Bookwhen scheduling site for Confluence training dates and working sessions coming in September!

Questions?

If you have any questions or need assistance with any items listed in this newsletter, contact the IT Help Desk and your request will be routed to the appropriate staff. https://helpdesk.valpo.edu, helpdesk@valpo.edu, 219.464.5678