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Resources

Information Services is preparing resources and information to greater support our faculty, staff, and students as we shift more towards online course delivery. Please check back often for updates as we continue to work with our vendors and SUNY partners to expand access to technology resources for the campus. Please contact the helpdesk with any questions at helpdesk@canton.edu.

Faculty and Staff

Video Conferencing and Collaboration:

• For instructional and academic needs, we recommend using Blackboard Collaborate. Collaborate is excellent for hosting virtual office hours and synchronous class sessions.
• For intercampus communication and collaboration, we recommend using Microsoft Teams. Teams allows you to have conversations, host video conference meetings, share files, and collaborate on shared documents. Teams is available to all faculty, staff, and students to use.
• Within the Teams application, a working group (or Team) can be created for committees, departments, and other fixed groups rather than temporary groups like a search committee. To request a Team created for your department, please contact the Helpdesk.
• Access to your critical files from anywhere is important. Our campus uses Microsoft OneDrive to make cloud storage accessible via a web browser from anywhere, and from an app on your phone or tablet. This service is available to all faculty, staff, and students. Please note that your network storage (L: drive) is not accessible from off-campus while OneDrive is – a great reason to store your files in the cloud!
• IS can provide training and assistance using the existing FLEX classrooms and mobile V/C carts to record lectures, hands-on exercises, etc. to include in your online courses. Please contact the helpdesk to schedule an appointment.

Office Telephone:

• Faculty and staff can access your voicemail from off-campus and set a temporary greeting message to your phone extension. This is an excellent option to request callers contact you via email, cell phone, or video conferencing tool while out of the office for an extended period.
• More advanced features such has setting internal and external greetings, not accept new messages, etc. are a great way to manage communications while on an extended leave from your office.
• Some front line support departments may be eligible for a phone soft client to provide remote flexibility. These offices will be contacted by our Telecommunications Manager in the near future for setup.
• Call forwarding from campus phones is limited to emergency and health & safety personnel at time.

Portable Computing:

• A majority of faculty and staff currently have college issued Dell laptops as their work computing devices. If you do not have a laptop issued by the campus and need one, please contact the helpdesk at helpdesk@canton.edu or 315.386.7448 to be added to our list. Faculty shifting to online delivery without a laptop and staff critical for business continuity will be given the highest priority.
• Each Dell laptop has a built in webcam and microphone, however we do have a limited supply of external webcams and USB headsets available to faculty and staff in need. Please contact the helpdesk for information.

Support:

• Please feel free to contact the helpdesk at helpdesk@canton.edu or 315-386-7448 if you have any questions. We are happy to assist or direct you to the appropriate support.
• For Blackboard, Panopto, and publisher content assistance, please contact the Center for Learning Design, Innovation, and Online Instruction at cldioi@canton.edu or 315-386-7118.
• Additionally, the SUNY Online Helpdesk is available for after-hours support related to Blackboard at 1-844-673-6786 or 1-518-320-1300 or Submit A Ticket.

Additional Resources:

Due to the wide-spread effects of the COVID-19 virus on K-12 and Higher Education, many companies and industry partners have announced discounted and/or free access to their products and services for those impacted. This list is changing daily – please check back often for resources that you can use for instruction or recommend to an online student in need. More details will be posted as we receive them.

Internet Access

• Many cellular providers have eliminated data plan overage charges allowing you to use your mobile phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. See instructions for ATT and Verizon and Sprint.
• Many broadband providers - including Spectrum and Comcast - are providing 60 days of free service to eligible households. Please contact customer service of your local provider for more information.
• Man public WIFI hotspots can be accessed from being in close proximity to a building (parking lot), even if they are closed for business to the public.
• Comcast has opened its Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots to the public: Map of Locations
• Spectrum has opened its wireless hotspots to the public: Map of Locations
• SLIC Networks has opened its Wi-Fi hotspots to the public: Map of Locations
• NYS Thruway Authority offers free Wi-Fi in all 27 service areas.
• NYC parks provide free Wi-Fi in some areas. Map of Locations
• LinkNYC provides free Wi-Fi at kiosks throughout the city. Map of Locations
• Drive-Thru Wi-Fi is now available on campus. If you do not have reliable internet at home, and you live near campus, you can park in the lot on the east side of Nevaldine South (where the electric car charger is located) and connect to the campus Wi-Fi from your car.

Educational Resources

• The Internet Archive has opened up access to the National Emergency Library, a collection of materials to assist with those teaching and learning remotely.
• Free download of over 300,000 ebooks from the New York Public Library with their new app. Any NYS resident can apply for a NYPL card online.
• A significant list of resources is available here.