Library Resources & Reopening Updates During COVID-19: Student Academic Support

Updated: Where to Get Free WiFi for Students During COVID-19

June 10, 2020

List of telecommunications companies that have signed the Federal Communications Commission's "Keep Americans Connected" pledge:

https://campustechnology.com/Articles/2020/04/30/Where-to-Get-Free-WiFi-for-Students-During-COVID19.aspx?s=ct_nu_160620&oly_enc_id=0096C3441778H6E&Page=1

Have a handwritten document that you need to submit online?

There is an app for that! Actually, there are several apps to help turn a physical document into a PDF file to submit as assignments.

Adobe Scan mobile app is free and will work on all devices to scan your documents and convert them to a PDF format.

iScann for Apple devices and Microsoft Office Lens for Android devices are two other options.

Zoom is Gonzaga’s video and web conferencing tool - all faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students have a Zoom Pro license.

Zoom allows online video conversations between two to 100 people - this may be a great solution for group work, class meetings, and communicating with departments on campus. Your instructors may have Zoom integrated in Blackboard courses and use it for "office hours."

Note: Only the person who starts a meeting needs a Zoom account - anyone else can join the meeting by meeting invite link.

There are many ways to access Zoom:

Zoom in Blackboard

Many instructors will be using Zoom for class meetings. If this is the case for any of your classes, you will see a link to join the meeting in the Blackboard course.

Zoom online

You can go directly to gonzaga.zoom.us to login to your account - use your Gonzaga username and password.

Note: if you use the myGU web site, you can add a Zoom tile for quick access.

If you receive a Zoom meeting request, click on the link to join and you will then have the option to watch it in the browser, or install the Zoom app. You may find the Zoom app provides a better experience.

Zoom has an App!

If you do not have access to a web camera and/or mic for your computer, remember that you can use a smartphone too! You can download and install the Zoom app from which ever source you use for acquiring new apps.

When signing into the app:

1. select the SSO option
2. enter the Gonzaga domain: Gonzaga.zoom.us
3. enter your Gonzaga username and password

Low band-width Wi-Fi?

Check to see if you have unlimited data through your cellular plan (many mobile carriers have drastically lowered the cost of unlimited data plans, and some carriers are offering free unlimited data during this crisis)—we’d hate for students to use Zoom on their mobile devices and then get charged for going over their data allowance.

A few tips to think about for an online meeting environment:

• Audio quality: Try to hold meetings in quiet, indoor locations to control ambient noise. If you have unavoidable background noise (outside construction etc.), consider “muting” your own microphone until it is your turn to speak. If you have multiple mics, or login with more than one device, you may have feedback – a horrible noise that no one likes. Please make sure only one mic is unmuted at a time and the others’ volume is as low as possible.
• Adjust your lighting: If you sit in front of a bright light source like a window, the other participants will see a bright light and a silhouette. Experiment with moving lamps and your camera until you can see your brightly-lit face on the screen.
• Think about your background: Try to provide a nice, plain background. Place your pet animals in another room, and mute your home or cell phones.
• Camera position: Try to frame your head and shoulders in the shot. Position the camera at a height as close to your eye level as possible. This ensures all participants can see your face, and avoids unflattering angles such as looking up at nostrils, or down on heads.

Gonzaga's Zoom support pages

https://my.gonzaga.edu/campus-resources/information-technology-services/software-and-services/zoom

Courses that have been face-to-face may be moved to Blackboard to facilitate on-line learning. Your instructor will provide details about each specific course, but here are a few tips that may help.

Blackboard login: learn.gonzaga.edu

Blackboard student help: https://my.gonzaga.edu/campus-resources/information-technology-services/software-and-services/blackboard/blackboard-help-for-students

Specific Blackboard support topics:

• Kaltura - media/video capabilities
• Discussion Boards - post and read responses
• Assignments - how to submit assignments
• Tests & Quizzes

For quick and easy access to alternative formats, click on the    at the end of any attached file on BlackBoard.

• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) improves your text, allows you to copy and highlight your PDFs, and allows assistive technology (ex. Text to Speech software) to engage with the document. 
• HTML formats improves the responsivity to screen size, whether you are on a TV screen or phone device, use the HTML format to obtain responsive text.
• ePub format allows you to download an ePub version for easier use in other applications (ex. Opening the PDF in kindle reader to access text to speech options).
• Electronic Braille format for faster, tactile reading.
• MP3 Audio version to listen to the text.

Contact EITA@gonzaga.edu with any questions. 

my.gonzaga.edu is a portal for online resources at Gonzaga.

Login with your Gonzaga username and password and then personalize the page!

You can add tiles for frequently used apps for quick access and some of them are setup to automatically login you in.

The friendly librarians and staff are ready to help with your research questions!

Check their page for current information and support options: Library Student Support

Center for Student Academic Success

Advising
Change of major advising, course progression advising, GU policy clarification, general university navigation
advise@gonzaga.edu
509-313-4072

Disability Access
Establishes accommodations for students with disabilities
disability@gonzaga.edu
509-313-4134

Learning Strategies/Tutoring
Tutoring, learning assistance, time management, study skills, online learning strategies
Online tutoring: www.mywco.com/learningstudio
learningstrategies@gonzaga.edu
509-313-4247

The Writing Center strives to assist students of Gonzaga University in developing their skills as writers who communicate across and beyond the curriculum.

509-313-6610
Writingcenter@zagmail.gonzaga.edu
https://www.gonzaga.edu/academics/centers-institutes/writing-center

Academic Technology Applications Support is here to help!
atasupport@gonzaga.edu
509-313-3972
Please contact us with any questions or issues with the following products:

Foliotek
Digital portfolio system

Qualtrics
Online survey platform

Turnitin
Originality checker used for assignments

Submit or track technical requests: support.gonzaga.edu

Call 509-313-5550

Email requests: techsupport@gonzaga.edu