Getting Started
- Getting Started with Canvas
- Viewing CAEN-Recorded Lectures
- Remote Access to CAEN Lab Services
- U-M Remote Office Hours Queue
- Software for Students at No Cost
- Printing on Campus
- Scanning & Editing Documents
- Internet Service Provider Options
Canvas
Nexus has provided a student guide with instructions and common tips for students getting started in Canvas. Canvas also has a comprehensive student FAQ with detailed information on specific tools and functionality.
Many instructors are beginning to use Canvas Quizzes for online assignments, testing and exams, allowing students to uploading documents. Nexus video tutorial (2:19).
Viewing CAEN-Recorded Lectures
CAEN’s Lecture Capture Service allows you to access online recordings of your course lectures. Not all instructors choose to record their lectures via the CAEN service (some may use Zoom, Canvas Conferences, or another service), so you may not see all of your courses listed and should check with your instructors directly to see how you can view your lectures.
Remote Access to CAEN Lab Services
CAEN provides Engineering students with remote access to software and online file storage via two main services to support course-related work. The Windows Remote Desktop Service grants off-campus access to the CAEN Lab Software Environment (CLSE) for Windows, and the Linux Login Service provides access to the CLSE for Linux. Both services include access to online file storage, which can be accessed via direct network connection from a personal computer.
- NOTICE: Windows Remote Desktop Service expanded due to increased demand
- Connecting to the Windows Remote Desktop Service
- Connecting to the Linux Login Service
- Accessing Your CLSE Windows Home Directory
U-M Remote Office Hours Queue
ITS provides a custom Remote Office Hours Queue application for U-M students to attend office hours over Zoom video conferencing. Students log in to the application, see the number of people waiting in the host’s queue, and request to join the line. Remote Office Hours Queue automatically creates a unique and private Zoom meeting ID for your own personal session.
Remote Office Hours Queue is a work in progress. ITS continues to improve the initial implementation, and is working urgently to add the ability to share office hour queues with instructional teams who collaborate on office hours to the application. For now, follow instructions for a workaround to sharing queues:
- U-M Remote Office Hours Queue website
- Using Remote Office Hours Queue as an Attendee (Student)
- Queue Sharing
Software for Students at No Cost
CAEN works with vendors to find academic software that College of Engineering students can install on their personal computers at no cost. In many cases, the software applications are only accessible to students who are enrolled in a for-credit course at U-M during the current academic term.
Printing on Campus
Printers on campus, including those in and around CAEN computer labs, are managed by ITS. Their Locations & Labs page provides the most up-to-date information on where printers are available. Use the menu on the left of the page to select your desired location, and specific printer features. Make sure to click the Open Now option to filter the currently available locations.
Additional information about how and where to print on campus can be found on the ITS & MPrint websites:
- ITS Printing Home Page
- Printing Charges
- MPrint – Printing via the Web
- Check Your Printing Usage
- Report a Printer Problem
Scanning & Editing Documents
When you need to make a scan of a physical document and you don’t have access to a computer scanner, it is possible using most common mobile devices. For example:
- iOS devices have a document scanner function built into the Notes app
- Android devices can scan documents directly using the Google Drive app
In addition, all U-M students have access to Adobe Creative Cloud apps at no cost. It includes access to Acrobat DC, which can be used in various ways to edit and annotate PDF files, including:
- Edit text and images in PDF files
- Convert a scanned document into an editable PDF
- Combine files into a single PDF
- Export PDFs to Microsoft Office formats
Once scanned and edited, you can then distribute your PDF files by uploading and sharing them in your U-M Google Drive or Box account, or simply sending via email.
Help getting started:
iPhone (2:46)
Android (2:15)
Internet Service Provider Options
Having usable Internet connectivity is essential as students transition to online learning. During this time of difficulty, many Internet service providers are offering reduced or free services for low income families. In addition, many are removing bandwidth caps and extending service offerings. Below is a list with some of the larger providers and their offerings. These and many other Internet providers are participating in the Keep Americans Connected Pledge to waive late fees, not terminate service for inability to pay, and open their Wi-Fi hotspots to anyone. BroadBandNow also has some useful tips for improving your network performance.
Broadband Internet
Those providing free/reduced broadband to low income families:
- AT&T Home Internet – $10/month Internet service, access to AT&T public hotspots, no data caps
- Charter Spectrum – 60 days free broadband, Charter hotspot access, no data caps
- Comcast Xfinity – 2 months free Xfinity Essentials, access to xfinitywifi hotspots, no data caps
- Cox Starter Internet – $19.99/month Internet service, upgraded service, no data caps
Cellular Data
Those providing increased cellular data and/or hotspot service for mobile devices:
- Boost Mobile – 20 GB additional data, 20 GB of mobile hotspot
- MetroPCS – Unlimited data, 20 GB of mobile hotspot
- Sprint – Unlimited data, 20 GB of mobile hotspot
- T-Mobile – Unlimited data, 20 GB of mobile hotspot
Additional Campus Resources
Other units around the University offer their own recommendations for remote students: