MARCH 21 Update: COVID-19
Remote Work & Learning Resources for Faculty, Staff and Students
Greetings Champlain Community,
Here’s an update on internet connectivity options, remote access software, work-at-home gear suggestions, and tech tips as we prepare for remote instruction starting Monday.
Internet Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi Hotspots. Several providers have opened wifi hotspots for public use.
- This page has a list of US cities with municipal Wi-Fi systems,
- AT&T: Look for ‘attwifi’
- Optimum: Find the map at Optimum’s hotspots website and look for ‘optimumwifi-Emergency’
- Suddenlink: Look for ‘Suddenlink-Wifi’
- Comcast Xfinity: Find the map at xfinity.com/wifi and look for the ‘xfinitywifi’ network
- Spectrum: Find the map at spectrum.com/wifi-hotspots and look for ‘Spectrum WiFi’
- Viasat: Hotspots on US Navy bases, in state parks, and at campgrounds should now be free.
Internet and Wireless Service
- Sprint is providing unlimited data for 60 days to customers with metered data plans and giving 20 GB of free mobile hotspot to customers with hotspot-capable devices.
- Verizon’s Visible plan provides calling, text, and data for $40/month.
Wireless Wi-Fi Hotspots. For those without broadband internet access or an existing data plan, a dedicated cellular Wi-Fi hotspot may be an option.
Labs and Licensed Software
- CAMPUS LABS ARE CLOSED: All campus labs, as well as the Rental House, Production Stage, Sound Studio, and Darkroom are closed to protect your health.
- See the FAQ on The View for more information about campus services.
- REMOTE ACCESS TO LAB SOFTWARE: We’ve updated our Champ Support site with this Accessing Software Remotely page. The page will be updated as additional software and services are added. Thank you to the IS teams, and our faculty colleagues, working hard to make these resources available to our students!
- Notable highlights:
- Adobe is granting temporary access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Apps.
- Virtual Services at Champlain.
- Mole OpenVPN.
Good Gear
Headsets & Mics
- The New Bee Bluetooth Earpiece V5.0 Wireless Handsfree Headset is only $17 and it connects to two devices simultaneously. I’ve been using it for a few days and so far, so good.
- For a higher performance option, the Logitech G533 Wireless Gaming Headset is 50% off right now. John Ware is rocking this one and it sounds great!
- Any other “stuff” that’s making your transition to remote work a little easier?
Tips and Tools
Remote Working Tips
- Linked In Learning has a free learning path on Remote Working: Setting Yourself and Your Teams Up for Success.
- Salesforce has shared these Tips and Tricks for Telecommuting Success.
- EDUCAUSE has links to remote working tips from several higher ed institutions.
- SANS provides this Security Awareness Work-from-Home Deployment Kit to help stay secure when working remotely and for parents with kids who are now learning from home.
- PC Mag has a section dedicated to #WorkFromHome with tips and gear suggestions.
Tech Tools
- Have you tried Google Hangouts Chat for person-to-person chat and chat rooms for groups and teams? If you’re looking for a cool project, maybe try your hand at making a chatbot.
- Wary of giving out your personal cell number?
- You may want to consider getting a free personal Google Voice number (select “For Personal Use”). – Thanks Laurel!
- EDUCAUSE has compiled this list of resources for higher ed going online including technology, and open educational resources,
COVID-19
- EAB has a clearinghouse of higher ed resources focused on coronavirus.
Have a good weekend,
Jeff
Vice President for Technology and CIO
