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MS Teams Tuesday Webinar Series

April 20th, 2021 by OIT News

Distributed via ALLDEPTS email on April 17, 2021 (updated 4-29)

 

The Office of Information Technology Department would like to invite any interested Rice students, faculty, and staff to a webinar series focused on the use and capabilities of the Teams collaboration platform.

Microsoft Learning Consultant, Mary Villaume, will conduct four virtual lunch and learn sessions via Teams on Tuesdays from 11:00 AM (US Central) to 12:00 PM, starting April 20th through May 11th. These sessions will be recorded and made available for future viewing and reference.
Use the link at the end of Upcoming Events to join upcoming webinars. Links to past webinar recordings are also listed.

Upcoming Events

05/04/21 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | TEAMS MEETINGS 101

  • Meet Now
  • Meeting options before and during meetings
  • Meeting attendance
  • Chat, content sharing, reactions, etc.

05/11/21 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | TEAMS MEETINGS 101

  • Breakout Rooms
  • Accessibility Features
Join on your computer or mobile app
Or call in (audio only)
+1 206-485-0139,,392312807# United States, Seattle

Phone Conference ID: 392 312 807#

 

Past Events

View past recordings

04/20/21  Build an Efficient MS Teams

  • Learn to navigate MS Teams
  • Get to know key features in Teams
  • Types of channels
  • Notifications

04/27/21  COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION

  • @mentions: messages in channels, files, announcements
  • Conversations: formatting, icons, etc.
  • Sharing and editing files

Chris Bard
Manager, IT Service Delivery and Operations
Office of Information Technology
Rice University

Reminder: Box Storage Quota Changes

February 10th, 2021 by OIT News

This message was distributed to the Rice community on February 10, 2021.

Dear Rice Community:

This is a reminder that effective March 1, 2021, Rice University Box accounts will no longer have unlimited storage. 

Box has changed the service model for educational institutions, eliminating the unlimited file storage service from their contractual agreement. After assessing the storage usage and financial impacts to retain the service, the Information Technology Executive Committee, along with the University Committee on Information Technology and OIT, have agreed to the following: 

  • All faculty and staff will be limited to 1 TB of storage 
  • All undergraduate students will be limited to 500 GB of storage
  • All graduate students will be limited to 500 GB of storage

OIT is actively contacting individuals who are over their quota to offer advice on reducing usage and to review migration options. 

We are thankful for the feedback we received from faculty regarding the impact on their already funded and approved grants. Please contact the OIT Help Desk if you are facing this issue.  Note all data must be managed in accordance with university retention schedules, guidelines and compliance requirements, as well as departmental policies.  

For more information the Box storage quota, you may refer to: https://kb.rice.edu/68656.  If you have any questions or would like to discuss alternative storage solutions in excess of the limits above, contact the OIT Help Desk via email: helpdesk@rice.edu or the web form: https://oit.rice.edu/request-help.

Marc Cougle

Senior Director, IT – Infrastructure and Operations

Office of Information Technology

Rice University

Thresher: New Tech TA program popular with students and professors

November 16th, 2020 by OIT News

This is a reposting of a Rice Thresher article from September 15, 2020.

by Nicole Lhuillier

To assist instructors with the classroom technology for online or hybrid courses, the Office of Information Technology has hired 160 students as technology teaching assistants. According to the OIT Associate Vice President Diane Butler, faculty have requested Tech TAs for approximately 270 courses.

In the first round of hiring, the OIT received 300 job applications from students. The OIT also hired eight students to manage the Tech TAs’ schedules, Butler said. The application period for the Tech TA program is now closed, according to the information on the web page for the position.

“I knew my team would never be able to get to all the classrooms to assist faculty with the new, added technology [in] the rooms as my staff is very small, so we would have to supplement in some way. In talking to peers, I came up with the idea to have students help,” Butler said. “We were hoping students would be interested in assisting with this but I had no idea it would be such a popular job on campus.” Read rest of article.

Rice News: New technology TA positions empower students to partner with professors

November 15th, 2020 by Hanna Gratch

This is a reposting of a Rice News article from October 1st, 2020

These student jobs are about more than just troubleshooting Zoom calls

Based on his experience transitioning to dual-delivery classes when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the spring, Tom Phalen — a Professor in the Practice in the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership (RCEL) — knew the juggling act that hybrid courses demand: delivering quality material in class while also managing the technical aspects of online learning tools like Canvas and Zoom.

“So when the offer came to have a technology TA manage the technology, I jumped at the opportunity,” Phalen said.

Phalen is one of many Rice faculty taking advantage of a new program through the Office of Information Technology (OIT). Prompted by the challenges of teaching in the time of the coronavirus, OIT is now providing trained technology teaching assistants (TAs) for over 270 courses this semester. Read rest of article.

Graduate Student Technology News

November 15th, 2020 by Hanna Gratch
Newsletter distributed to Rice graduate students on September 1st, 2020
Rice OIT Logo

Graduate Student Technology News

Welcome to the fall semester! Here are reminders about the services and resources available to you from the Office of Information Technology (OIT). We are proud to support Rice’s mission and goals related to research, teaching, learning and scholarship as your technology partner.

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laptop with video conferencing people

Remote Learning

While each student may have different needs, there is a Preparing for Remote Learning checklist with considerations to prepare for and enhance your remote learning experience. You may also want to view the Student Guidelines for Remote Learning for suggestions and guidelines on participating in online events.

Online meetings and interactions can be an excellent way to stay engaged, get help when you need it, and feel supported. Zoom License accounts are available to all Rice faculty, staff, and students. You can also use it to schedule meetings or study sessions with other students. If you use Zoom, keep it updated so you will have the latest security fixes to prevent Zoombombing and other potential privacy issues. Google Meet is an alternate tool for virtual meetings and is accessible through the GSuite platform.

More: Rice University Guide to Remote Learning

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woman teaching via Zoom

Instructor Resources

If you teach, the Learning Environments (LE) group offers a variety of resources to help you learn to use instructional tools. Workshops and one-on-one training for Canvas (Learning Management System), Kaltura (digital media sharing), Zoom (video conferencing) and other educational technology tools can be found at the Training Center.

Classrooms and teaching studios are equipped with multimedia and audio/visual equipment. Find information about teaching equipment at Fall 2020 Technology Planning. Introductory and advanced training is available upon request.

If you encounter technical issues while teaching in a classroom, there are Tech TAs stationed throughout the academic buildings that are available to come assist your class. Each classroom has an information card that lists the location of the nearest Tech TA station. You can also call 713-348-4989.

For non-urgent questions, please email teaching@rice.edu. To subscribe to our monthly newsletter, go to LE-News and click Join Group.

More: Teaching and Learning Tools

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woman in front of statistical displays

Research Computing

The Center for Research Computing offers resources and services that can help you to scale and accelerate your own research and that which you do for your advisor.

Services:
•    One-on-one consulting (email help@rice.edu with subject: crc-facilitation)
•    Workshops and classes
•    On-boarding onto our resources

Resources:
•    Cloud computing (at Rice and beyond)
•    Data storage and data transfer
•    Supercomputing (at Rice and beyond)
•    Remote access to research computing resources

When your data is too big for your laptop, contact the Center for Research Computing! We’re here to hook you up with powerful tools and show you how to use them.

More: Research Computing

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guy with large, busy computer screen

Technology Security

Everyone in the Rice community is responsible for protecting the electronic assets of the university. Follow security precautions at your remote working locations and be aware of email scams from hackers trying to take advantage of uncertainty during the pandemic.

More: Information Security Office

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person with Excel on computer

Software

A number of software products are available for free or at a discounted rate to current students. Check out the list of Software Available to Students. Free products that can be installed on a personal computer include Microsoft 365, Matlab, SAS, SPSS, Mathematica and more. Discounted prices are available for Adobe Creative Cloud, Maple, and others.

Houston: If you are living and studying in Houston, please either download the software to your own computer or use a computer on campus.

Outside Houston: If you are fully remote outside Houston and are unable to download the software to your computer and need to access software for your class, please have your professor email teaching@rice.edu. We have a limited pool of VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) computers that will be available to students studying fully remote that can’t download software to their computer.  (Note: The VMWare Horizon access to computer lab software from the spring has been deactivated.)

More: Software Availability Locations

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woman with headphones at computer

Campus Infrastructure

Networks: Departmental computers are connected to the wired network. The wireless networks available throughout campus are:

  • Rice Owls (secured via NetID and Password)
  • Rice Visitor (public network for visitors and guests)
  • Eduroam (collaborative world-wide access network)

Storage: Data storage, file sharing and collaboration spaces include U:drive, Rice Box, Microsoft One Drive, and Google Drive.

Voice and videoconferencing: Rice telephone system (Cisco VoIP services) and Zoom Videoconferencing.

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frustrated man with slow computer

Getting Help

OIT’s Help Desk is the central point of contact for computing help and support. Help Desk staff answer technical questions and route service requests to other OIT professionals. You can submit requests any time via the web site or email. You can also call during office hours.

Help button on a keyboard

Rice OIT Help Desk

OIT is currently providing contactless technical support only. Walk-in services and office visits have been suspended.

Telephone support:
713-348-4357 (HELP)
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.
(excluding holidays)

Request help electronically:
• complete online form
• email helpdesk@rice.edu

Online resources:
IT Status: Subscribe to email or text notifications about incidents or maintenance
Rice KnowledgeBase: Online how-to documentation and announcements

More: Help Desk Services

Student Tech News

November 15th, 2020 by Hanna Gratch
Newsletter distributed to Rice undergraduates on September 1st, 2020

Highlighting services and resources for undergraduates • Fall 2020

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Rice OIT Logo

video conferencing screen with student caricatures
Artwork by Riley Holmes (Wiess ’21)

Student Tech News

Welcome to the fall semester from the Office of Information Technology (OIT)! This newsletter has a few service reminders including how to get help. OIT can assist with online course issues, connecting to the campus network, using Canvas (Rice’s Learning Management System), diagnosing computing problems, and more. Each college has a student OIT Ambassador to direct you to our services as well– meet them below.

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Remote Learning

Check out these resources to support your remote experience.

While each student may have different needs, there is a Preparing for Remote Learning checklist with considerations to prepare for and enhance your remote learning experience. The Rice University Guide to Remote Learning provides an overview of resources with step by step instructions. You may also want to view the Student Guidelines for Remote Learning for suggestions and guidelines on participating in online meetings.

Online meetings and interactions can be an excellent way to stay engaged, get help when you need it, and feel supported. Zoom License accounts are available to all Rice faculty, staff, and students. Your instructors may use Zoom in Canvas for courses. You can also use it to schedule meetings or study sessions with other students. If you use Zoom, keep it updated so you will have the latest security fixes to prevent Zoombombing and other potential privacy issues. Google Meet is an alternate tool for virtual meetings and is accessible through the GSuite platform.

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Tools and Resources

Reminders about available services.

 

Software

A number of software products are available for free or at a discounted rate to current students. Check out the list of Software Available to Students. Free products that can be installed on a personal computer include Microsoft 365, Matlab, SAS, SPSS, Mathematica and more. Discounted prices are available for Adobe Creative Cloud, Maple, and others.

Houston: If you are living and studying in Houston, please either download the software to your own computer or use a computer on campus.

Outside Houston: If you are fully remote outside Houston and are unable to download the software to your computer and need to access software for your class, please have your professor email teaching@rice.edu. We have a limited pool of VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) computers that will be available to students studying fully remote that can’t download software to their computer.  (Note: The VMWare Horizon access to computer lab software from the spring has been deactivated.)

For your reference, view the online list of software availability locations.

Network Connections

Campus: Wireless connections are available in all buildings across campus and limited outdoor areas. The classroom tents and the open air tents have wireless service.

Colleges: During the summer, new access points were added to eight of the colleges. The remaining three colleges (Duncan, McMurtry, and Sid Rich) will have new access points installed over the winter break. If you want to take advantage of faster and more reliable network services by using the wired network in your room, you will need an ethernet cable and perhaps an adapter. Search online retailers for Ethernet Patch Cables (RJ45 Cat-6), which are sold in a variety of lengths. Read more.

Off campus: One of the challenges of learning remotely can be your home Internet service. If you are having issues, check out these helpful tips for optimizing your network connection.

Printing

If you are on campus and want to print, you can print in Fondren Library and Mudd Lab for a small fee. (Printing costs 7 cents per page for black ink and 35 cents per page for color. Posters and architecture/engineering plots can be printed in color on plain paper for $3 per linear foot and on glossy paper for $7 per linear foot in Mudd Lab only). Printing charges are included in your bill from the Cashier’s Office.

Tools and Systems

As a member of the Rice community, you will use a variety of resources to complete tasks. To learn more about a resource, search in OIT’s KnowledgeBase (kb.rice.edu).

Canvas – academic course system
Esther – administrative system
Email – managed by Google
Storage – use Google Drive or Rice Box
Labs – computers, software, and printers

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Need help?

Contact us with your tech questions.

The OIT Help Desk is the centralized contact for information technology support services including account management, connectivity to Rice network, password reset, general troubleshooting, mobile device support, VPN configuration, and email setup. If you are having problems setting up your Rice accounts, contact us this summer (see below). All technical support will be contactless this fall so you can call, email, or fill out a request for help form.

OIT Help Desk

8:00 am – 5:00 pm, M – F
(except holidays)

Request help:

713-348-HELP (4357)
https://oit.rice.edu/request-help
helpdesk@rice.edu

Search KnowledgeBase for online instructions:
https://kb.rice.edu

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Meet the OIT Ambassadors.
Reach out for advice.

Each college has an OIT Ambassador to send you computing updates and to help you find the computing services that you need.

Photos of the OIT college ambassadors

 

Staff Technology News

November 15th, 2020 by Hanna Gratch
Newsletter distributed to Rice staff on September 1st, 2020
Rice OIT Logo

Staff Technology News

Welcome to the fall semester! Here are reminders about the services and resources available to you from the Office of Information Technology (OIT). We are proud to support Rice’s mission and goals related to research, teaching, learning and scholarship as your technology partner.

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laptop with video conferencing people

Working Remotely

Check out the Technology Guide to Remote Working with links to information on essential applications and services, office phone management and best practices for working remotely.

Online meetings and interactions can be an excellent way to stay engaged with your colleagues. Zoom License accounts are available to all Rice faculty, staff, and students. If you use Zoom, keep it updated so you will have the latest security fixes to prevent Zoombombing and other potential privacy issues. Google Meet is an alternate tool for virtual meetings and is accessible through the GSuite platform.

One of the challenges of learning remotely can be your home Internet service. If you are having issues, check out these helpful tips for optimizing your network connection.

More: Preparing for Remote Working

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woman holding computer tablet that says imagineOne

imagineOne

imagineOne is the project to implement Oracle Cloud as Rice’s new unified business system. Launched in January 2020, imagineOne will streamline the university’s business processes by integrating human resources, financials, procurement and related reporting into one modern, cloud-based platform. For more information about how imagineOne will improve the end-user experience and enable continuous evolution, visit the website below where you can also sign up for the monthly imagineOne newsletter and access DiOlogues podcasts.

More: imagineOne

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woman teaching via Zoom

Instructor Resources

If you teach, the Learning Environments (LE) group offers a variety of resources to help you learn to use instructional tools. Workshops and one-on-one training for Canvas (Learning Management System), Kaltura (digital media sharing), Zoom (video conferencing) and other educational technology tools can be found at the Training Center.

Classrooms and teaching studios are equipped with multimedia and audio/visual equipment. Find information about teaching equipment at Fall 2020 Technology Planning. Introductory and advanced training is available upon request.

If you encounter technical issues while teaching in a classroom, there are Tech TAs stationed throughout the academic buildings that are available to come assist your class. Each classroom has an information card that lists the location of the nearest Tech TA station. You can also call 713-348-4989.

For non-urgent questions, please email teaching@rice.edu. To subscribe to our monthly newsletter, go to LE-News and click Join Group.

More: Teaching and Learning Tools

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woman in front of statistical displays

Research Computing

The Center for Research Computing assists researchers in the use of specialized computing infrastructure. We run regular workshops in partnership with Digital Scholarship Services, if you want to brush up on or learn new programming skills. Our services can be found at https://researchcomputing.rice.edu

For research staff: if you or your P.I. need more computing power, more storage space, or the ability to transfer large datasets efficiently, please ask us about the following services by emailing help@rice.edu with the subject “crc-facilitation”:

  • Virtual Machines/Cloud Computing
  • Secure Virtual Environments
  • Networked Storage and Fast Data Transfer
  • Grant Consulting Computing Resources

More: Research Computing

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guy with large, busy computer screen

Technology Security

Everyone in the Rice community is responsible for protecting the electronic assets of the university. Follow security precautions at your remote working locations and be aware of email scams from hackers trying to take advantage of uncertainty during the pandemic.

More: Information Security Office

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person with Excel on computer

Software

Certain software products are available for free or at a discounted rate to Rice employees. For instance, Microsoft 365 can be used for free and CrashPlan (backup service for Mac/PC) requires a yearly $82 fee.

More: Software Available for Faculty and Staff

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woman with headphones at computer

Campus Infrastructure

Networks: Faculty and staff office computers are connected to the wired network. The wireless networks available throughout campus are:

  • Rice Owls (secured via NetID and Password)
  • Rice Visitor (public network for visitors and guests)
  • Eduroam (collaborative world-wide access network)

Storage: Data storage, file sharing and collaboration spaces include U:drive, Rice Box, Microsoft One Drive, and Google Drive.

Voice and videoconferencing: Rice telephone system (Cisco VoIP services) and Zoom Videoconferencing.

————————————————————————————————————————————————-
frustrated man with slow computer

Getting Help

OIT’s Help Desk is the central point of contact for computing help and support. Help Desk staff answer technical questions and route service requests to other OIT professionals. You can submit requests any time via the web site or email. You can also call during office hours.

Help button on a keyboard

Rice OIT Help Desk 

OIT is currently providing contactless technical support only. Walk-in services and office visits have been suspended.

Telephone support:
713-348-4357 (HELP)
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.
(excluding holidays)

Request help electronically:
• complete online form
• email helpdesk@rice.edu

Online resources:
IT Status: Subscribe to email or text notifications about incidents or maintenance
Rice KnowledgeBase: Online how-to documentation and announcements

More: Help Desk Services

Faculty Technology News

November 15th, 2020 by Hanna Gratch
Newsletter distributed to Rice faculty on September 1st, 2020

Rice OIT Logo

Faculty Technology News

Welcome to the fall semester! Here are reminders about the services and resources available to you from the Office of Information Technology (OIT). We are proud to support Rice’s mission and goals related to research, teaching, learning and scholarship as your technology partner.

woman teaching via Zoom

Instructor Resources

The Learning Environments (LE) group offers a variety of resources to help you learn to use teaching tools. Workshops and one-on-one training for Canvas (Learning Management System), Kaltura (digital media sharing), Zoom (video conferencing) and other educational technology tools can be found at the Training Center.

Classrooms and teaching studios are equipped with multimedia and audio/visual equipment. Find information about teaching equipment at Fall 2020 Technology Planning. Introductory and advanced training is available upon request.

If you encounter technical issues while teaching in a classroom, there are Tech TAs stationed throughout the academic buildings that are available to come assist your class. Each classroom has an information card that lists the location of the nearest Tech TA station. You can also call 713-348-4989.

For non-urgent questions, please email teaching@rice.edu. To subscribe to our monthly newsletter, go to LE-News and click Join Group.

More: Teaching and Learning Tools

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woman in front of statistical displays

Research Computing

When your data is too big for your laptop, or you want to accelerate student research, the Center for Research Computing (CRC) can help.

Resources for scientists, social scientists and humanists who need more computing power include:

And the CRC provides services to facilitate use of these resources for you, your lab, your department or your undergrads:

  • One-on-one consults
  • Tailored presentations on demand

To request one of these services, email help@rice.edu with the subject: crc-facilitation. Also see pre-scheduled workshops and classes.

More: Research Computing

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guy with large, busy computer screen

Technology Security

Everyone in the Rice community is responsible for protecting the electronic assets of the university. Follow security precautions at your remote working locations and be aware of email scams from hackers trying to take advantage of uncertainty during the pandemic.

More: Information Security Office

————————————————————————————————————————————————-
person with Excel on computer

Software

Certain software products are available for free or at a discounted rate to Rice employees. For instance, Microsoft 365 can be used for free and CrashPlan (backup service for Mac/PC) requires a yearly $82 fee.

More: Software Available for Faculty and Staff

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woman with headphones at computer

Campus Infrastructure

Networks: Faculty and staff office computers are connected to the wired network. The wireless networks available throughout campus are:

  • Rice Owls (secured via NetID and Password)
  • Rice Visitor (public network for visitors and guests)
  • Eduroam (collaborative world-wide access network)

Storage: Data storage, file sharing and collaboration spaces include U:drive, Rice Box, Microsoft One Drive, and Google Drive.

Voice and videoconferencing: Rice telephone system (Cisco VoIP services) and Zoom Videoconferencing.

————————————————————————————————————————————————-
frustrated man with slow computer

Getting Help

OIT’s Help Desk is the central point of contact for computing help and support. Help Desk staff answer technical questions and route service requests to other OIT professionals. You can submit requests any time via the web site or email. You can also call during office hours.

Help button on a keyboard

 

 

Rice OIT Help Desk

OIT is currently providing contactless technical support only. Walk-in services and office visits have been suspended.

Telephone support:
713-348-4357 (HELP)
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.
(excluding holidays)

Request help electronically:
• complete online form
• email helpdesk@rice.edu

Online resources:
IT Status: Subscribe to email or text notifications about incidents or maintenance
Rice KnowledgeBase: Online how-to documentation and announcements

More: Help Desk Services

Summer Session: Updates on Zoom Security and Privacy

April 27th, 2020 by OIT News

Memo distributed to Rice community on 4-27-20

Colleagues,

The Information Security Office (ISO) and the Office of Information Technology (OIT) have been closely watching security issues regarding Zoom, the online education and meeting tool. In an effort to address these concerns with Zoom, new default settings will be enabled before the start of summer sessions.

The following new default settings will go into effect on May 1, 2020 to prevent any disruptions on scheduled spring meetings:

  • Meeting passwords will be required
  • Meeting passwords will be embedded in meeting link
  • Private chats will be disabled
  • Participants will not be able to annotate

The new default settings should help improve security on Zoom sessions and prevent disruptions such as Zoombombing. To provide flexibility, these settings won’t be locked down but we encourage meeting hosts not to change them (learn more: https://kb.rice.edu/101344). Keeping your Zoom software updated (https://zoom.us/download) is another key component to securing your Zoom sessions (see also: https://kb.rice.edu/100275).

If you have any issues or concerns, or need assistance in safely setting up Zoom meetings, please contact the OIT Help Desk at 713-348-HELP or helpdesk@rice.edu.

Thank you.

Marc Scarborough
Chief Information Security Officer

Faculty Technology News: Tips on Working Remotely

April 8th, 2020 by OIT News

Distributed via email to faculty on 4-3-2020.

Rice logo

 

 

Faculty Technology News (photo of dog in lap of man at computer)

We each have our individual challenges working from home- such as Annabelle who lives with a Rice OIT staff member. We hope you will find these resources helpful.


We Are Here For You

The Office of Information Technology is committed to supporting you as you adjust to teaching and working remotely. Prior to the start of remote teaching, Learning Environments (LE) partnered with Rice Online Learning and the Center for Teaching Excellence to offer individual workshops for each school as well as a number of one-on-one training sessions. There were 500 attendees at the school sessions while another 400 watched the recorded videos. LE held close to 100 one-on-one training sessions as well. We will continue to be here to support your teaching needs.

Support

Learning Environments staff are available by phone at 713-348-4989 to help you troubleshoot and answer problems while you are teaching. Business hours are from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday – Friday but support staff members are on call in the evenings.

Additionally, if you have questions on Canvas, Kaltura, Zoom or any other academic technology, you can submit a Help Desk ticket (via our online help formor email) and someone from Learning Environments will contact you. We are happy to set up one-on-one training sessions via Zoom to provide you the help you need.

For more general questions, you can also call the Help Desk staff from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday – Friday at 713-348-HELP (4357). (Walk-in services have been suspended.) Or look for the answer to your question by searching our KnowledgeBase.

Remote Teaching Resources

A number of excellent resourceshave been created to help you with questions or step by step instructions on how to do something. The Remote Teaching Resourcesguide in Canvas offers steps for communicating with your students, creating a course in Canvas, using Zoom, securing Zoom for privacyand a number of additional functional tools, such as how to share documents, record a lecture, give a live lecture, create an assessment, and more.

Tools

Canvas

Rice’s learning management system, Canvas, is designed to manage your courses and student communications. You can find information on using Canvas in the Remote Teaching Resources modulewithin Canvas. You can also get 24/7 support via chat or phone from within Canvas. For details, log in to Canvas and click on the Help icon. For tips and tricks, follow the Teaching and Learning with Canvas blog.

Video Conferencing

Zoomis a collaboration and online meeting tool. Zoom License accounts (formerly called Pro accounts) are available to all Rice faculty, staff, and students. Zoom can also be used in Canvasto allow instructors to schedule online meetings within Canvas. Google Hangouts Meetis an alternate tool for virtual meetings and is accessible through the G Suite platform.

Recording Your Lectures/Lessons

There are a couple of options for recording your lessons for viewing offline or asynchronous delivery. Zoom allows for recordingand works well when you are presenting to a live audience. If you wish to record your lessons in advance, Kalturaworks well for this. Kaltura is a lecture capture tool and can receive multiple inputs (webcam, doc cam, etc.).

Software

Faculty are eligible for free and discounted software including Adobe Creative Cloud, Crashplan, Office 365, Matlab, Mathematica and more. Many of our vendors have extended the usage of our licenses to allow faculty and students to be able to download the software onto their personal computer at no cost to them. Check the software pageto see which software includes this feature.

Secure Connections

Additional software may be needed to securely connect to Rice resources. Using VPN(virtual private network) securely connects your computer to the Rice network.  Duoprovides an extra authentication step and is required by some systems, such as VPN and Esther.

Home Network

One of the challenges of working remotely can be your home Internet service. If you are having issues, check out these helpful tips from Internet2 (Rice is a member of this collaborative research and education technology community.)

Tips for Troubleshooting Home Connectivity

Optimizing Your Home Network for Working and Learning

Research Computing

If you already use Rice research computing resources, access remains the same since using research computing resourcesis done remotely. If you are interested, the Center for Research Computingstaff welcomes the opportunity to support your research computing needs. CRC staff can offer advice and set up services from high-performance computing/high-throughput computing (HPC/HTC) to research virtual machines and cloud (ORION) to research data facility (RDF).

Security Reminder

Follow university guidelinesto protect your computer and Rice data. Keep your guard up against email scams designed to obtain your account information, especially during this crisis.