Resources for Learning Remotely

Adjusting your habits for distance classes

Your study habits may need to change for you to be successful with distance classes.

UAF eCampus has compiled guides to support students at all UA campuses

Workspace Accessories and Equipment

While electricity and high speed internet access are essential fixtures within a remote office set-up, you may need to modify or add to your existing office equipment to accommodate the unique circumstances of your remote work environment. The following equipment may also be useful, depending on your situation:

Internet connection/Wi-Fi
Laptops, Desktops, and Tablets
Headset
Webcam (internal or external)
Cell phone

Equipment & Accessories for Loan

Internet Options

Accessing Online Resources

Widely-used applications

UA Learn- Login to Blackboard to access your class(es)

Google Mail - Access your Google Apps @UA email account

UAOnline - UA Online Services

ELMO - Manage your UA username and password

Zoom- Schedule a video conference using Zoom. Zoom resources

Microsoft Office 365

UAA

Software Downloads

Kaltura Media (video sharing/streaming)

Using VPN

When you are not connected directly to the campus network, VPN (virtual private network) client creates a “tunnel” between your computer and the campus network that identifies you as a member of the UA community, allowing you virtual access to restricted networked resources.

Blackboard, UAOnline and Google Apps don’t require connecting to the VPN. However, if you need to access software that requires connecting to the VPN, make sure that the VPN client is installed, configured, and tested on your computer.

UAA VPN Remote Connectivity Info

UAF & SW VPN Remote Connectivity Info

UAS VPN Remote Connectivity Info

Virtual Desktop

The Virtual Desktop gives access to a Windows Desktop from anywhere on almost any device. With a Virtual Desktop you can also easily access network shared drives as well as many other widely used resources on the University network.

UAA

Virtual Desktop service is not available at UAA

UAF and Statewide

OIT Virtual Desktops are available for all Staff, Faculty, and Students and come preconfigured with centrally managed software such as Matlab, JMP, and Microsoft Office. With Virtual Desktop, you can also easily access network shared drives as well as many other widely used resources on the University network.

Learn More about OIT Virtual Desktop

UAS

Virtual machines (VM) are UAS' chosen solution to allow staff and faculty to access their computer, software, and documents in a wider range of locations. The virtual environment allows customization and control, as well as being hardware agnostic (meaning you can use just about any device). Through the use of VMware Horizon View Client you can access your designated virtual machine from any configured computer. These VMs are supported by ITS to provide the most complete and reliable ongoing service.

Learn more about Virtual machines at UAS

Communication Tools

	ZoomVideo, voice or text-chat conversation in real time. Share screens and host real-time video conversations. A local phone conference line is included with your Zoom meetings. For mobile devices, make sure Zoom client app is installed. note: Zoom Resources
	Google Meet The video-conferencing tool that is a part of GoogleApps@UA, works with up to 100 people at a time.
	Google Hangout ChatA messaging platform built for teams. Meet face-to-face with Students, Faculty and Staff. Hangouts Chat makes it easy for virtual teams to get their work done in one place.

Optimize your online experience

Best practices for working remotely to ensure continued work productivity and the most efficient use of your network bandwidth.

Best Practices for Remote Meetings

Due to recent security concerns, please review best practices for securing your Zoom meetings.
To prevent infrastructure overload, please follow this guidelines:

Connect using the " Join without Video " option.
Connect audio using the "Call using Internet Audio ", rather than the "Dial in" option.

If screen sharing is necessary, call in using computer/internet audio, rather than dialing in a phone number.
Ensure any other nearby devices that might be using network resources are disabled or turned off.
Download your web conferencing app on your phone and join audio-only. If this is not an option, use the phone number dial-in option as a last resort.
Here are examples of joining Zoom via desktop and mobile app.

Resources for:

Learn more

Test bandwidth connection speed

Connecting Securely

Always use a password-protected wireless network, rather than a wide-open wireless network, i.e., in a coffee shop or airport.

If your software requires use of VDI orVPN to access, when you are no longer using the software, disconnect from the VDI or VPN connection. This opens up portals for others in our community.

VDI (Virtual Desktop Instance) provides a higher level of security than the Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting from an unprotected device.

VDI has the benefit of providing a Windows Desktop from anywhere on almost any device. With a VDI you can easily access network shared drives, as well as many other widely used resources on the University network. The VDI environment provides commonly used software that you may access on your home computing device without needing to install anything. Explore VDI.

VPN allows you to securely connect your device to the University network. To protect the network only connect from secure devices that have antivirus software. Explore VPN .

Be on the Lookout for COVID-19 Scams

Productivity Tools

Google Apps @UA for Education

System-wide collaboration toolbox. All content available globally. Includes Gmail, Drive, Meet, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms. Consider enabling “offline mode” if online access will be intermittent/limited.

Learn More about Google Apps @ UA

Learn Google Apps

Work, teach, and learn from anywhere - Google collection of tools and resources to stay connected and productive

Learning Center

Additional Resources

In addition to the resources that are specific to your discipline, you may find these open and free resources helpful to meeting your course learning objectives: