A14 - Tech Support
ALIGNED: Technology support is explained to students, and relevant contact information and/or links are easily found.
Adopting a common course management system—Canvas—has certainly benefitted both instructors and students across our CCC system. Despite Canvas being relatively user-friendly (and a clear favorite of students surveyed), students may still have questions about or issues with technical aspects of the course like logging on, tools being used (e.g., VoiceThread or Padlet), or with Canvas itself.
We all know how frustrating technical challenges can be. Supporting student retention and success means providing students with a clear explanation of how and where they can get help with technical issues so they know when to contact you, the campus help desk or the Canvas help desk.
We strongly encourage you to include this information as a separate, clearly labeled page in your Orientation module. It's much less helpful when only included (buried!) in the syllabus, causing students to go on a hunting expedition to find the needed info when they may already be feeling frustrated and anxious.
In addition to the ideas below, you might include a clearly labeled link to your school's IT webpage and/or Help Ticket.
Here's some example text for your tech help page. . .
How I Can Help with Technical Issues
To be honest, I can't! Beyond offering a supportive smile, I'm not your best bet when you run into technical challenges. The suggestions below should be helpful.
[Of course, edit this section to reflect what's true in your case. Maybe you're a tech whiz and can offer support for some things.]
Basic Computer Requirements
Having regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection is required. You will need a word processing program capable of saving word formats such as .doc, .docx or .pdf.
Check out the technical requirements for your computer and browser in order to maximize Canvas functionality: Test your computer's readiness (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.
NOTE: It is important to have an active email account that you check regularly. If you don't have an email address currently, you can get a free email account from Google, Yahoo, or another provider.
New to Online?
If you are new to online, this "Getting Tech Ready" Links to an external site. video can help you prepare for the term ahead.
Canvas Help
If you're experiencing difficulty with Canvas, click the Help icon in your account navigation bar (at the very left of the Canvas page). From there you can search the Canvas Guides or contact the Helpline.
Publisher/App Support
NOTE: If you're using any outside software (e.g., publisher, SoftChalk, VoiceThread), include information and links for technical support. If not, delete this section.
Free Apps for Word, PowerPoint and PDF Files
Libre Office Links to an external site. and Apache OpenOffice Links to an external site. are two similar resources that will provide you with a word processing program and will permit you to open Word documents and PowerPoint files.
Download Adobe Acrobat reader Links to an external site. for any PDF files.
How to view a presentation without PowerPoint Links to an external site..
Note- You can also buy very low cost software and hardware through College Buys (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. . Check out the website to find access to such resources as low cost laptops, charges cables, all types of programs. This is brought to you by the Foundation for California Community Colleges
Plug-ins and Helper Applications
There may be plug-ins and helper applications to download that support the Canvas environment and play multimedia such as:
NOTE: To avoid confusing them, only include links for the apps students will need for your course
- Java (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.
- Quicktime (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.
- Apache Open Office for Microsoft Word (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.
- Microsoft Silverlight (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.
Browser Support
While Chrome is the preferred browser for most Canvas interactions, Canvas supports the latest versions of every browser release. It's highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using as well as the most up-to-date Flash plug-in. Check out the Canvas Browser Support page (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. for the most recent information.
Troubleshooting
Many computer issues can be resolved by following the steps below.
- Completely shut down your computer and reboot.
- Clear the cache in your browser.
- Try allowing pop-ups from Canvas.
- Try using another computer and/or browser to see if you have similar problems.
- If using a mobile device, then try again using a computer.
- If using public wifi, then try again using better Internet connection
<h2>How I Can Help with Technical Issues</h2>
<p>To be honest, I can't! Beyond offering a supportive smile, I'm not your best bet when you run into technical challenges. The suggestions below should be helpful.</p>
<hr style="border: 1px solid#000;" />
<h2>Basic Computer Requirements</h2>
<p>Having regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection is required. You will need a word processing program capable of saving word formats such as .doc, .docx or .pdf. </p>
<p>Check out the technical requirements for your computer and browser in order to maximize Canvas functionality: <a class="external" href="http://apps.3cmediasolutions.org/oei/tools/computer-readiness.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Test your computer's readiness<span class="screenreader-only"> (Links to an external site.)</span></span><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" title="Links to an external site."><span class="screenreader-only">Links to an external site.</span></span></a></p>
<p>NOTE: It is important to have an active email account that you check regularly. If you don't have an email address currently, you can get a free email account from Google, Yahoo, or another provider.</p>
<hr />
<h2>New to Online?</h2>
<p>If you are new to online, this<span> </span><a href="https://apps.3cmediasolutions.org/oei/modules/tech/story/">"Getting Tech Ready"</a><span> </span>video can help you prepare for the term ahead.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Canvas Help</h2>
<p>If you're experiencing difficulty with Canvas, click the Help icon in your account navigation bar (at the very left of the Canvas page). From there you can search the Canvas Guides or contact the Helpline.</p>
<hr />
<h2><span style="background-color: #ffff99;">Publisher/App Support</span></h2>
<p><span style="background-color: #ffff99;">NOTE: If you're using any outside software (e.g., publisher, SoftChalk, VoiceThread), include information and links for technical support. If not, delete this section.</span></p>
<hr />
<h2>Free Apps for Word, PowerPoint and PDF Files</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download/">Libre Office</a><span> </span>and<span> </span><a href="http://www.openoffice.org/download/index.html">Apache OpenOffice</a><span> </span>are two similar resources that will provide you with a word processing program and will permit you to open Word documents and PowerPoint files.<span> </span></p>
<p><a href="https://get.adobe.com/reader/">Download Adobe Acrobat reader</a> for any PDF files.</p>
<p>How to <a class="inline_disabled" href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/view-a-presentation-without-powerpoint-2f1077ab-9a4e-41ba-9f75-d55bd9b231a6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">view a presentation without PowerPoint</a>.</p>
<p><span>Note- You can also buy very low cost software and hardware through </span><a class="external" href="http://store.collegebuys.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>College Buys<span class="screenreader-only"> (Links to an external site.)</span></span><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" title="Links to an external site."><span class="screenreader-only">Links to an external site.</span></span></a><span>. Check out the website to find access to such resources as low cost laptops, charges cables, all types of programs. This is brought to you by the Foundation for California Community Colleges</span></p>
<hr />
<h2>Plug-ins and Helper Applications</h2>
<p>There may be plug-ins and helper applications to download that support the Canvas environment and play multimedia such as:</p>
<ul>
<li><span><a class="external" title="" href="http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Java<span class="screenreader-only"> (Links to an external site.)</span><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" title="Links to an external site."><span class="screenreader-only">Links to an external site.</span></span></a></span></li>
<li><span><a class="external" title="" href="http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adobe Flash Player<span class="screenreader-only"> (Links to an external site.)</span><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" title="Links to an external site."><span class="screenreader-only">Links to an external site.</span></span></a></span></li>
<li><span><a class="external" title="" href="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quicktime <span class="screenreader-only"> (Links to an external site.)</span><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" title="Links to an external site."><span class="screenreader-only">Links to an external site.</span></span></a></span></li>
<li><span><a class="external" href="https://www.openoffice.org/download/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apache Open Office for Microsoft Word<span class="screenreader-only"> (Links to an external site.)</span><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" title="Links to an external site."><span class="screenreader-only">Links to an external site.</span></span></a></span></li>
<li><span><a class="external" href="https://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Microsoft Silverlight<span class="screenreader-only"> (Links to an external site.)</span><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" title="Links to an external site."><span class="screenreader-only">Links to an external site.</span></span></a></span></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Browser Support</h2>
<p>While Chrome is the preferred browser for most Canvas interactions, Canvas supports the latest versions of every browser release. It's highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using as well as the most up-to-date Flash plug-in. Check out the Canvas <a class="external" title="" href="https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-1284" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Browser Support page<span title="Links to an external site."></span><span class="screenreader-only"> (Links to an external site.)</span></span><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" title="Links to an external site."><span class="screenreader-only">Links to an external site.</span></span></a> for the most recent information.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Troubleshooting</h2>
<p>Many computer issues can be resolved by following the steps below.</p>
<ul>
<li>Completely shut down your computer and reboot.</li>
<li>Clear the cache in your browser.
<ul>
<li><a class="external" href="https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2603" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>How to clear cache on a Mac<span class="screenreader-only"> (Links to an external site.)</span></span><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" title="Links to an external site."><span class="screenreader-only">Links to an external site.</span></span></a></li>
<li><a class="external" href="https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2604" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>How to clear cache on a PC<span class="screenreader-only"> (Links to an external site.)</span></span><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" title="Links to an external site."><span class="screenreader-only">Links to an external site.</span></span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Try allowing pop-ups from Canvas.</li>
<li>Try using another computer and/or browser to see if you have similar problems.
<ul>
<li>If using a mobile device, then try again using a computer.</li>
<li>If using public wifi, then try again using better Internet connection</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Where to Look
This is, ideally, found as a separate page in the Orientation module. If it's only included as a section (buried) in the syllabus, we recommend including a note encouraging the instructor to display the information more prominently. Keep in mind, the language of the Rubric says "easily found."
What to Look For
Look for a page clearly labeled along the lines of "Tech Help." Students may not think to look on the Course Policies page or on a page called, for example, "Other Important Details" (especially if they're anxious about running out of time on a quiz or something).
Be sure to review the relevant tabs before you leave this page.