This post has been updated, please see the latest here: https://announcements.clarkson.edu/2020/03/19/technical-support-for-online-instruction-2/
As we move to instruction in an online format, you may have a variety of technical support questions and needs. This resource from the Office of Information Technology attempts to outline some of the more common items.
Connectivity:
To effectively consume online course content, you should have a reliable Internet connection. If you don’t already have cable, fiber or DSL connectivity at your home, here are some other resources that may assist:
- Comcast – new customers get 60 days free, reduced rates for low-income families
- SLIC – installation fees waived for new customers with students
- Spectrum – new customers get 60 days free, reduced rates for low-income families
- Can you add a Personal Hotspot to your smartphone?
- If none of those providers offer service at your home? Contact Clarkson OIT, we may be able to help.
Computer Access
Virtually any computer (Windows, Mac, Linux) and some mobile devices (smartphone, tablets, etc.) will provide you with access to Clarkson’s core suite of academic environments. Moodle, Email, PeopleSoft, GSuite (Google Docs, Sheets, etc.) are all web-based programs that will work with any modern browser. If you don’t have access to a computer at home, contact Clarkson OIT. We have a small supply of 50 entry-level laptops which we will loan to students on an as-needed basis. If you’ve already left campus, we can ship one to you.
Academic Software
Faculty know that while you are learning from home you won’t have the full suite of software that would normally be available in the computer labs. However, there are some software packages that are available to download and run on your computer at home. These include:
- Adobe Creative Suite (you must be enrolled in a Digital Arts program to be eligible for this, contact the IT HelpDesk to be granted access)
- Autodesk (AutoCAD, Inventor, Tinkercad)
- ESRI (ArcGIS)
- Maple
- MATLAB
- Office 365
- R
- Zoom
Online Learning:
Online instruction will likely come in a variety of methods and will vary depending on the course and instructor. Please watch for updates for each course in Moodle and email.
Zoom:
Your professor may choose to hold online classes and/or virtual office hours by Zoom. Likewise, students may choose to meet for virtual group work using Zoom. For more information about Zoom, please see the OIT Knowledge Base.
Help and Support
The IT HelpDesk is available to help you make sense of this transition. If you need help, please let us know. We are available by email (helpdesk@clarkson.edu) or phone (315-268-HELP). Our normal hours of operation are:
Monday – Thursday between 7:30am – 7:00pm, and
Friday between 7:30am – 5:00pm
Josh Fiske, CIO
