In the event that routine academic functions are disrupted due to prolonged campus or building closures, it may be necessary to attend classes online from a remote location. We provide a variety of services to connect students with faculty and fellow students remotely so that learning can continue uninterrupted.
Equipment Preparation
In preparation, the following equipment would be recommended:
- Laptop or desktop computer (OS doesn't matter)
- Headset with a microphone
- Webcam: A camera may already be built into computers, but external USB cameras for video conferencing can also be used. The Logitech Webcam C930e would be recommended
- Internet: Either commercially provided (e.g., Xfinity, Fios), or a wireless hotspot (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.)
Be prepared! It's best to know these options will work before they are needed. Test access to this equipment and the various IUP resources/services at home before the need arises, and contact the IT Support Center if any questions or issues arise.
Contact the Department for Disability Access and Advising to learn more about the services and support they provide to ensure that students are able to access and participate in the opportunities available at IUP.
Broadband Resources
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a federal program that provides eligible low-income households with a monthly discount of up to $30 (or up to $75 on Tribal lands) on internet service. The program aims to help ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more. A household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household participates in certain assistance programs or receives a Federal Pell Grant. The program provides a discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households, and the nation's 20 leading service providers have also joined in to make discounts on high-speed, high-quality internet plans available, impacting more than 80 percent of the country's population.
Learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Communications
Remember to check IUP email regularly, at least once a day, and preferably more often. University employees are likely to send announcements that way as well through MyIUP, IUP Mobile, social media, and D2L announcements.
Access Course Resources via LMS (D2L or Moodle)
Desire2Learn (D2L)
Log in to D2L to see the latest announcements, posts, assignments, etc. Visit the D2L Getting Started page to learn more about D2L. There are also many other resources for students using D2L.
Access Software, Cloud Storage, and other Technology Resources
Email and Office365 Applications
Ensure that access to university email and other core applications is in place and working properly. Most of these are provided as part of the Microsoft 365 application suite. Here are email and calendar details.
The rest of the Office 365 applications can be accessed via web browser at https://office.iup.edu and by logging in with regular IUP network credentials. In addition, Microsoft 365 applications are available for download to personal computers by following these instructions.
Full details about each of the applications that come with Microsoft 365 can be found here:
- Office Applications
- Share documents collaboratively using OneDrive. How to Share Folders and Documents
- Most Office apps are also available via tablets and smartphones by downloading them from the relevant device app stores
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Many technology services provided by IUP IT Services require one to first connect to the IUP VPN before accessing the service. Please find details on how to set up the IUP VPN and how to connect.
Mapping Network Drives
Students can access the Project Directory Service and other network shares on IUP's network through mapping. The IUP VPN must be connected before accessing these network drives. See the details of mapping network drives.
- When working remotely, students may want to consider moving files to OneDrive. Accessing files and folders on OneDrive is much easier. See the section above related to Office365 applications. OneDrive is also accessible on tablets and mobile devices by downloading the Microsoft OneDrive app from relevant device App Stores.
Virtual Computer Lab (running/accessing IUP applications from personal computers)
IUP provides a service called the Virtual Computer Lab, or VCL, which allows one to access a virtual PC that has all the IUP software that is on the Public Lab computers on campus. This gives access to software such as SPSS, Respondus, Scientific Notebook, Wolfram Mathematica, Endnote, ArcGIS, Visual Studio, etc. Full details on how to access the VCL.
Adobe Creative Cloud Access
IUP has an enterprise license that allows for Adobe Create Cloud to be installed on personal computers for employees. Students do not currently have access to Adobe products on personal computers.
- Browse to creativecloud.adobe.com.
- Click the Sign In link in the top right-hand corner.
- Enter your IUP email (not alias, but the four- to five-letter username): i.e., xxxxx@iup.edu.
- Once prompted for IUP Web Single Sign-on, log in normally with your IUP computing account credentials.
- Under Quick links, select Install Creative Cloud app.
- If the "Permission May be Required" screen displays, click OK.
- The application will begin to download.
- After Creative Cloud is installed, you need to launch it from your desktop.
- Sign in to the desktop app with your IUP username and password.
- From the Creative Cloud desktop app, select the applications you want to install (e.g., Lightroom).
Synchronous Class Meetings via Zoom
Zoom: Attending a Synchronous Class Online
Zoom is IUP's supported online meeting tool. It unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, group messaging, and conference/classroom solutions. Zoom offers the best video, audio, and wireless screen-sharing experience across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
To access Zoom, browse to https://iupvideo.zoom.us and select Sign in, which will proceed to IUP's Single Sign-on page.
To download the Zoom client, browse to https://iupvideo.zoom.us/download on any device.
These direct links offer support for relevant Zoom activities:
Library Resources
Easily access many IUP Library resources online with your IUP username/password. For help accessing library resources, Ask a Librarian for assistance.
Other Resources
The IT Support Center provides a variety of IT support services and they are available for assistance, via ihelp.