Hello!
There’s a lot to cover in this edition of Tech Update, including expanded features and support for teaching and learning at-a-distance and in the classroom, and important information about online security.
One of the many side effects of the pandemic globally has been a surge in the number of scams and data breaches committed by cybercriminals. Every organization, including Northeastern, is a target. October happens to be National Cyber Security Awareness Month, a perfect time to improve security awareness among the university community.
Yesterday, you should have received an invitation from the Office of Information Security to a training module for security awareness (Didn’t get one? It might be in the Other tab in your Outlook inbox). This 10-minute mini-course for faculty and staff will focus on current threats that everybody in the Northeastern community should be on the lookout for. You can find additional information about cybersecurity best practices and resources in the update below and at getsecure.northeastern.edu.
IT Services is always working to enhance its support for teaching, learning, research, and business operations, and feedback from faculty, staff, and students is important. If you have a topic that you’d like to see covered in a future update, please send suggestions to its@northeastern.edu.
-M
Marcus P. Robinson
Associate Vice President, Engagement and Experience
Tech Update: October 14, 2020
New Zoom Functionality for Teaching and Learning
Self-select breakout rooms and the ability for an instructor to “spotlight” certain people in a discussion are two ways to enhance engagement in Zoom sessions. To fully participate in planned Zoom activities using these features, both faculty and students should check to ensure they have the latest version of Zoom installed and log in to the Zoom desktop client prior to each Zoom session. Keeping the Zoom app up-to-date is also an excellent idea to have the latest security fixes and functionality.
To pre-assign breakout sessions instead of using the self-select feature, find instructions for doing so in Zoom here.
Adobe Creative Cloud for Students
The Adobe Creative Cloud suite is available to students online via Northeastern’s Windows Virtual Desktop. A license to the full suite, including more than 20 desktop and mobile app offerings for photography, design, video, web, UX, and more, is now also available to students by request.
Students who would like the full license and the ability to download can request one through the Tech Service Catalog (this link to request requires a myNortheastern login and is only accessible to students). Faculty and staff, including sponsored accounts, have full access, no request necessary. Visit adobe.northeastern.edu for more information, including important details on how to log in using Northeastern Active Directory.
New Phone or Number? Stay Protected with 2FA
Duo is the two-factor authentication service that helps Northeastern users protect their accounts and personal information against hackers. If it’s time to get a new mobile device, or change a number, remember to update Duo with the new information. Here’s how.
Classroom Technology Training
Additional NUflex classroom technology training resources continue to be added to Northeastern’s ITS training website. For a demo and brief overview of the NUflex classroom capabilities, while joining from anywhere via Zoom session, sign up for a live virtual classroom demo.
For one-on-one opportunities to ask specific classroom technology questions, book a consultation with a technology trainer. Consults are available virtually, in a NUflex Auto room, or a Standard room.
Quick guide PDFs for teaching across the various classroom types are helpful references and are available online and in the classrooms.
Official University Email Addresses
Student HuskyMail accounts retired in July, and @northeastern.edu is now the official email address for the entire Northeastern community. The remaining piece of the project is updating all university applications to @northeastern.edu as the official email address. Some applications, including Canvas and Zoom, have already been completed. The remaining transitions should be complete by the end of October.
The remaining Google services for students, such as Google Drive and Docs, will continue to use the @husky.neu.edu address. If collaborating with students in Google, please use their @husky.neu.edu addresses. Students also have access to the full Microsoft 365 suite, including Microsoft Teams and OneDrive, all of which you may also consider using to collaborate with students.
Global Conferences Go Virtual, Available for Free
Looking for professional development and networking opportunities? Have a look at two upcoming conferences this month that are bringing people around the world together to learn and inspire in virtual formats.
CanvasCon Online is a free, virtual event for faculty and supporting staff provided by the makers of Canvas. This year’s event features keynotes from LeVar Burton, an actor, director, and educator known for his former role as host and executive producer of PBS’s “Reading Rainbow”, and Sal Khan, founder, and CEO of Khan Academy. CanvasCon Online is available on-demand starting October 16.
Adobe’s global creativity conference, Adobe MAX, offers three days and over 350 sessions at no cost, October 20-22. Get inspiration in design, video, illustration, 3D, digital business, and more at Max to pair with the Adobe Creative Cloud license available through Northeastern.
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