The Office of Technology Services (OTS) and the Center for Learning Innovation (CLI) have assembled these technology resources to assist you with learning remotely.
If you have any questions about accessing these resources, please email the OTS Support Desk, call 312.567.3375 (on campus x7DESK), or stop by the upper level of the Galvin Library. Click here for Support Desk hours.
If you are student at the Conviser Law Center, please click here.
Courses
- Collaborate Ultra Instructions (Blackboard)
- Where's my course?
- Course recordings made by the faculty will post automatically but will usually require some processing time before they are available for viewing. Because so many instructors and students are using Blackboard right now, the processing time is taking longer than usual. Please allow up to approximately 24 hours for your instructor's video to appear.
- If you would like help trying to find a recording, here are directions to help you locate your course.
- For more assistance, please review the Best Practices and Troubleshooting Tips.
Academic Software
Tutoring and Academic Coaching
- Academic Resource Center (ARC)
- In line with the university's instructional mode, the ARC is going to be 'hybrid' in the fall semester. There will be limited hours and tutors available at the ARC, which has been relocated to the lower level of the Galvin Library.
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Regular tutoring hours and SI Review sessions can be accessed on the ARC's website. Links to the virtual rooms by subject area are available on this spreadsheet, which you can only access through your Hawk Google account.
- You can make appointments with tutors through this form and use Collaborate Ultra or Google Meet to complete a tutoring session.
- Academic Coaches - Students who are enrolled in GLS 180, GLS 182 or are looking for general learning assistance through one-on-one sessions with academic coaches can either check the Google Calendar for coach availability or contact Andrew De Leonardis, Nisha Jagannathan, Nataliya Turchmanovych, or Sarah Coates to set up an appointment for one-on-one coaching.
- Writing Center - Tutors can assist you in any stage of the writing process from brainstorming and outlining to final touches and references. One-on-one tutoring is available as is asynchronous sessions. You can schedule an appointment at tutortrac.iit.edu.
- Virtual Math Tutoring Center - Although RE129 is currently closed, graduate student teaching assistants are available to answer your math questions online.
- "Knack" - This on-demand virtual and in-person tutoring platform designed to help you schedule sessions with tutors, supplemental instructors, academic coaches, and teaching assistants is currently being evaluated. The goal is for Knack to facilitate better availability of tutors, outside of ARC hours, so getting assistance is even easier. Stay tuned for more information on this.
Galvin Library Resources
- The circulation desk of the library has a limited number of laptops available on a first-come-first-served basis. Laptops may be checked out for up to four hours with an option to renew for up to another four hours.
- With the Galvin Library Guide you can learn how to access their resources and services remotely.
Group Projects
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There are many tools available for collaboration through Google Workspace to which all members of the Illinois Tech community have access.
- Google Drive - This app stores your documents and more, allowing you to invite other users to view, download, and/or collaborate on any of the files you designate.
- Google Docs - If you want group input on a document, you can use Google Docs and determine who on your team will have different privileges, such as editing or viewing.
- Google Sheets - This app allows users to create and format spreadsheets, charts, graphs, and pivot tables online. It is akin to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, but unlike Excel, with Google Sheets you can work on a spreadsheet simultaneously with other users. This app is compatible with Microsoft Excel file formats.
- Google Slides - This is a presentation program that allows users to create and edit presentations online, collaborating with other users in real-time. You can imbed videos or animation, too. Users can access revision history to see prior versions of the same presentation, sorted by date and who made the change. The app is compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint file formats.
- Google Forms - This is a survey administration app that features all of the collaboration and sharing features found in Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. You can collect information from users through a targeted survey, poll, or quiz that you can personalize to your audience using photos, logos, or one of the existing curated themes. Your audience's responses are then automatically collected and populated in real time into a Google Sheet that includes charts, saving you time and effort.
- Google Hangouts Chat - This app allows you to ask questions, collaborate in group chats, create a virtual chat room for team projects, and more.
- Google Meet - This app allows you to see and talk with your teammates about projects in real time. For more information about this app, please refer to the Audio and Video Conferencing section below.
Audio and Video Conferencing
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Google Meet - This app provides high-quality audio and video conferencing for meetings of up to 250 participants with real-time captioning available through the app's speech-to-text functionality. Share the Google-Meet link and participants can join with just one click! You can include participants from other countries with international dial-in numbers and enjoy smooth integration with your Google Calendar, allowing for seamless scheduling and easy access to all your meetings' details. You can even record your meeting provided you receive its participants' prior consent. To learn more about how to record a meeting, please click here for instructions or watch a quick video tutorial.
- Zoom - Zoom is a cloud-based video communications app that allows you to set up virtual video and audio conferencing, live chats, screen-sharing, and other collaborative opportunities. One of the advantages that Zoom offers is that instructors can schedule Zoom meetings in their Blackboard course sites. If you would like assistance on how you can best locate Zoom sessions and recordings within Blackboard, please click here.
Virtual Student Get-Togethers and Meetings
Social distancing protocols don't mean you can't socialize! You can use Google Meet and Zoom to continue with your extracurricular activities and meetings (audio and video options available) in a virtual environment.
If you're looking to chat with one or more other students or faculty members, remember that Google Hangouts Chat is available to help you stay connected.
General Helpful Information
State of Illinois Hotspot Map (Drive-up Internet Availability for Higher Ed) - Illinois Tech is a proud contributor to Illinois' initiative to support the education of Illinois residents. This map of hotspots around the state provides instructions for each location.
What If I Need Help?
- Please send an email to the OTS Support Desk, call 312.567.3375 (on campus x7DESK), or stop by the upper level of the Galvin Library. If you would like Support Desk assistance in the Galvin Library, please observe room occupancy limitations and social distancing protocols.
- For Support Desk hours, please click here.