Technology & Computing

Getting Started

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 BlueJeans, 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.

U-M Remote Office Hours Queue

ITS provides a custom Remote Office Hours Queue application for U-M students to attend office hours over BlueJeans 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 BlueJeans 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:

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.

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:

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: