Group Collaboration

Is it your first time taking an online class? Are you stressed about not being able to communicate with your group mates? Don't worry, we've got your back. In this post, we'll cover what you need to know about virtually collaborating with your groups.

Sometimes collaborating with your group gets complicated; and bad communication can result in bad grades (and a bad mood.)    

We are here to help make collaborating online simple. All you need is a good internet connection and a reliable device. (A Windows laptop, a MacBook, an iPad, or even a smartphone.)

Need a new way to collaborate with your group on projects, assignments, and studying? 
Zoom is a great video chat software that allows you to not only chat, but also share your screen and give your group-mates control of your computer. Zoom is free and unlimited to all ESU students and employees.

Looking for a software that allows you and your groupmates to share and edit documents?
Google products such as Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides. They are simple to use and convenient when everyone in the group must work on the same file. 

Do you not like video or audio chatting?
Text-based chat using messengers like Apple Messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp, may be more to your liking. You can also chat on Canvas under the “chat” tab. If none of those sound good to you, then emailing your groupmates is the always an option. 
(Just remember that all group members need to be diligent in checking and responding to messages!)

Are you trying to find a safe place for storing your files online where your group-mates can also access them?
OneDrive and Google Drive are your best options in this situation. Upload your document and share it with people you want to have access to the document. You can allow them to only view the document or both view and edit it; it’s totally up to you.  

Working on an individual project?

Emporia State University offers free access to all the Office365 products. Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and more. All ready for you to use free of charge as a student. You can download them at hornet365.com. 

Having online classes might be stressful at first, but services we all have access to make our lives much easier. Check back weekly for more useful tips, and more! Stay safe, stay healthy and stay inside.

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant

Web & Digital Strategies

Work Anywhere - Employee Guide

Are you ready to work from home? We sure hope so. If not, we look to prep you with everything you'll need to know about the near future of ESU classes.

As an ESU employee, there are a number of things that you need to take in to account to become a secure and productive remote worker.

Let's begin with the basics.
You're going to need a computer or compatible device - If you already have an ESU laptop with Windows or MacOS, then you're set.
If you have an iPad, you should be able to do most tasks as well. (But if you mostly work with Microsoft Office, you're going to want a keyboard.)

If you don't have an ESU laptop and you're familiar with cloud services - You can use your home computer.
However, if you're using secure services that need a VPN, (Banner Admin pages, Jabber, and the W: drive,) you'll need to use an ESU laptop.

If you need to check out an ESU laptop, visit the Teach and Work Anywhere site on emporia.edu/covid19 and fill out the form under "Recommended Equipment."

Next,
You'll need communicate with your colleagues or students - Starting with your ESU office phone.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to forward it to your home phone or cell phone due to technical limitations.

This leaves you with two alternatives:

1. Change your voicemail - Inform callers that you will return their call via phone or email. Instructions and more information located on the Work Anywhere site.
2. Jabber Software Client - This is for lines with a larger call volume, (Admissions, Registration, or any department's main line.) Using the Jabber software client installed on your laptop, you'll be able to make and receive calls using the speaker and microphone on your computer. (Note: you must be connected to the ESU VPN.)

ESU offers two types of applications and services: 

1. Cloud based - You can use it anywhere on any device (Office 365, Teams, Canvas, Microsoft Teams and Zoom.)
2. Secure (Requires VPN connection to use.) - A VPN consists of software that runs on your computer and connects back to the ESU network, providing a secure tunnel. Essentially, you're on the ESU network from home. (Banner Admin pages, Jabber, and the W: drive.)

An alternative to using the VPN is ESU's online virtual computer lab, SkyLab, ESU's virtual computer lab

Have you moved to SharePoint Drive or your personal OneDrive? - You can access those from anywhere.
If you still have files on the W: or X: drives, you will need VPN or SkyLab to access those files.

Web Conferencing Software

There are 2 Options for Employees

1. Zoom - ESU's primary platform for hosting a video conference. Instructors can use it to have virtual classes and departments can use it to host meetings. (All employees have access to Zoom via Hornet 365)
2. Microsoft Teams - ESU's primary platform for instant messaging. You can access it from anywhere and on any device. Virtual meetings can be hosted on Teams as well. (All employees have access to Microsoft Teams via Hornet 365)

Now that you're informed on ESU's online capabilities, you have the ability to work from anywhere.

For more information, visit our Teach + Work Anywhere website.

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant

Web & Digital Strategies

Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom - Which Should You Use?

As we move our classes online, you may wonder, "What is the difference between Teams and Zoom?"

ESU offers a plethora of resources for conferencing and communications, and today we'll be comparing two: Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Both software are great when it comes to online collaboration, but they both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Both Microsoft Teams and Zoom offer individual and group communication through messaging and video conferencing. This can come in handy when working on group projects, online instruction, presentations, or traditional face-to-face meetings.  So the question is, when does one work better than the other?

Microsoft Teams:

• Quick Messaging
• File Sharing
• Push-Notification Instant Messaging
• Text-Based Group chats

Zoom:

• Massive Video-Calling
• Online Classroom
• Phone Dial-In Service
• Screen Casting
• Screen Recording

Both services offer a mobile app as well, which works best with iPhones.

Looking to download Zoom? Click here.

Looking to download Microsoft Teams? Click here.

For more information, watch episode 12 of IT Only Takes a Minute where we discuss these further in depth.

Questions? Contact the IT Help Desk and we'll be happy to help you out!

Call: 877-341-5555

Email: helpdesk@emporia.edu

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant

Web & Digital Strategies

Video Conferencing Etiquette

You might encounter several video conferences over the next few weeks of ESU's online education. Some may be well experienced in this are, while other may be completely new to the idea of a video conference. It is important to know how to behave in a virtual classroom so you and your classmates get the most out of the experience.

1. Wear Work-Appropriate Clothing - Follow your organization’s rules and dress appropriately. Be smart when it comes to dressing up, because you are a representation of your organization.
2. Ensure Your Technology Works Correctly - Check the devices you want to use for the conference. Make sure everything works and you have a stable network connection. 
3. Use the Proper Software and Hardware - Make sure you have every software used for conference calls. You want to be prepared and have everything you need before you take or make a call. 
4. Be on Time - Your responsibility is to be on time. Being on time is always important and makes you look good inside and outside of your organization. 
5. Have the Right Light -  Lighting is very important. Make sure the room has a lot of light and people can see everything you use during the conference. 
6. Mute Yourself When Not Speaking - Even though you might not be speaking, your microphone can still pick up minor background noises. Background noises might often distract your peers. Make sure you follow proper etiquette and limit the amount of noises.  
7. Limit Your Distractions - Don’t get distracted. Distraction is your biggest enemy. Conference calls are important, and you always need to be focused. 
8. Engage - Participate as much as possible. Your opinion matters and your peers will appreciate you sharing it with them. 
9. Pay Attention - Paying attention is the key. Try not to miss information, because you will most likely miss something important and won’t have anyone to ask at home. 

These are 9 essential tips when it comes to video conference etiquette. If sought through, you're sure to get the best experience out of your online classroom!

For an instructional video detailing these tips, check out our YouTube video.

Tyler Parker
Social Media & Marketing Student Assistant

Web & Digital Strategies

Hult Prize at Emporia State University

IT worked with Hult Prize Campus Director, Amir Ammar to promote the Hult Prize Competition for Emporia State University. Producing HornetTV content and an IT Only takes a Minute web series special episode 

The Hult Prize, in partnership with the United Nations, is the world’s largest student competition for budding social entrepreneurs, and every year welcomes college and university students from all around the globe. Named as one of the top five ideas changing the world by TIME Magazine, the annual competition for the Hult Prize aims to identify and launch the most compelling social business ideas—start-up enterprises that tackle grave issues faced by billions of people. From more than 50,000 applications received every year, one winning team will receive 1 million USD in seed capital, as well as mentorship and advice from the international business community.

For more information ➡ https://youtu.be/J39nICcKvN0

William Allen White Libraries and Archives: Technology Upgrade

This fall, IT worked with William Allen White Libraries and Archives to install new technology in the newly renovated 2nd floor spaces. 

In a special episode of IT Only Takes a Minute, we talk to Bethanie O'Dell (Assistant Professor / Virtual Learning Librarian) to learn about how these new technologies are improving user experience at the library. 

Check out our new video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFRkYHtwfrE

IT Only Takes a Minute: Episode 4

On the fourth edition of #IOTAM, we discuss the new operating system updates from Apple and Microsoft, guest speaker Steve Riat on his theory of exponential change, as well as the AdobeMAX Creativity conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Watch Episode 4 now:
IT Only Takes a Minute: Episode 4