Tag: recommendations

Tech Tip: Browser Security Settings

When you’re using Canvas to access Zoom meetings for online classes and other class materials, you may encounter some issues wherein pop-ups are blocked by your browser security settings. From browser to browser, there are different ways of fixing this issue so that you may access your Zoom meeting for an online class. The blocked Zoom meeting link pop-up is a common issue, especially when a browser is updated.

Firefox: There is a small shield icon on the left of the address bar. Clicking on this shield icon will open up a menu which you can then turn off/on “enhanced tracking protections” which, when turned off, will place a slash mark across the shield icon. In this state, you should be able to open up Zoom links from Canvas.

Alternatively, you may access more advanced security settings in Firefox from the “burger” icon to the far right of the address bar, which consists of three horizontal lines stacked atop each other. From this icon, select “settings” and “privacy & security” to clear cookies (which can often interfere with Canvas and Zoom). You may also change the level of security, lowering as necessary to allow for pop-ups. We recommend raising security again after allowing the pop-up to open and getting into Zoom. It’s a short process to drop and raise the settings and can be done easily with some practice

The shield icon on the left side of the address bar. The settings “burger” on the right

The shield icon on Firefox once Enhanced Tracking Protection has been turned off, allowing for Zoom meeting pop-ups from Canvas.
The drop down menu when the shield icon is clicked. Note the option to turn the Enhanced Tracking Protection on/off with the blue switch.

Chrome: While there is no shield icon to navigate to in Chrome, the “burger” to “settings” to “privacy & security” path is the same. The Chrome “burger” is three vertically placed dots rather than stacked horizontal lines, but otherwise, it’s a nearly identical process to lower and raise the security settings in order to open a pop-up link for a Zoom meeting in Canvas.

The Chrome browser does not have the shield icon, so the setting must be accessed through the dotted “burger” icon on the right side.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, please contact us at the iSchool Help Desk. You can reach us at (217) 244-4903 or (800) 377-1892, ischool-support@illinois.edu, or via chat at https://go.ischool.illinois.edu/TechChat. Our contact info is also on your course Canvas pages.

The desk is usually open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday. Hours may vary during finals, breaks, etc.

Tech Tip of the Week: Canvas Mobile Apps

Whether you are an instructor or a student, there may be times that you need to check Canvas away from your computer. You could use a browser on your phone but you know that many functions are not mobile compatible and those that are can still be difficult to navigate. Fortunately, you can download the Canvas Student App or Canvas Teacher App instead. From participating in discussions to seeing or posting grades, the Canvas mobile apps allow users to access their courses easily while on the go.

Tech Tip of the Week: Using the WebStore

There’s lots of free content for students, staff, and faculty on the UIUC WebStore, from the Microsoft Office Suite, to Adobe, to security software. Check it out the WebStore’s “Personal Purchases” page to see a break down of software categories for easy browsing.

Below is a series of screenshots of webpages you’ll likely encounter when purchasing software in the WebStore. Be sure to log in to the WebStore first. There have been some issues w/ logins to the WebStore, so if you encounter login trouble, please contact the iSchool Help Desk. You can reach us at (217) 244-4903 or (800) 377-1892, ischool-support@illinois.edu, or via chat at https://go.ischool.illinois.edu/TechChat.

The WebStore Front Page. Note the Personal Purchases and Free Software buttons.
Once you log into the WebStore, you can view Account information in the My Account tab. For this example, we’ll look at downloading from the MicroSoft Products category.
Here we can see the MicroSoft 365 (Office) Suite, specifically for people at the Urbana Campus. Much of the WebStore software will be free, but watch out for prices on right column.
Selecting the MS 365 Office Suite brings us to this product description page. It comes with links, specifications, and instructions on downloading/installing the software.

From this point, depending on which software you’re looking into, directions may vary. Likely though, you’ll download and install the software and be good to go. There may also be limits on how many devices you can install a single instance of software on, so be sure to prioritize installing software on your primary devices.

Tech Tip: Canvas App for Students

Before the semester begins, it might useful to know more about your options for using Canvas. While the desktop version of Canvas is ideal for getting work done, the App “Canvas Student” allows you to log-in on the move and check in on announcements and notifications more conveniently.

If you need to, you may also enter your Zoom room from your Canvas Student app, presuming you also already have your Zoom app set up on your phone. (The Zoom app is simple enough to set up; download the app, login w/ SSO using “illinois”and DUO 2FA, and get going with your meetings. The settings for Zoom mobile are definitely worth setting up before trying to attend a meeting.)

You can also mess around with the settings in the Canvas Student app, though they are not as in-depth the desktop settings for Canvas. The app’s settings are more directed towards notifications and display, missing much of the organizational and workflow oriented settings.

For further information regarding Canvas’ Student App, check out these links to the official FAQ,

Logging into the Canvas Student App: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Troubleshooting/Logging-into-the-Canvas-Student-App/ta-p/885

Viewing My Courses in the Canvas Student App: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Troubleshooting/Viewing-my-courses-in-the-Canvas-Student-app/ta-p/879

Viewing my personal to-do items in the Canvas Student App: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Troubleshooting/Viewing-my-personal-to-do-items-in-the-Canvas-Student-app/ta-p/877

Tech Tip: Speedtest by Ookla

When you find your device struggling to load a webpage, download a document, or pull up your email, you might want to check your conncetion to the internet, whether you’re using wifi or a wired connection. With Speedtest by Ookla, you can determine Internet Provider address, the nearest server provider, how you’re connected to the internet, and most importantly, your ping, upload, and download speeds.

With this information, you can quickly and easily determine the impact the internet is having on your work at the click of a single ‘GO’ button. Simply search internet speedtest, or Ookla, and it should be the first result in any webpage search engine. Try it out here, at

 https://www.speedtest.net/

Tech Tip of the Week: Slido

Slido is a tool that makes it easy to create interactive polls for Zoom meetings or other events. From multiple choice to word clouds (like the one the Help Desk created below), participants can see results change instantly. Polls can be embedded in PowerPoint slides via a personalized QR code or a link can be shared with participants. To learn more about creating interactive polls and to start your free account, visit www.slido.com or watch this video for more details on using Slido.

Tech Tip of the Week: UIUC AnyWare

UIUC AnyWare gives students and instructors access to a variety of software that can be accessed remotely. Even better, VPN is not required to use UIUC AnyWare.

UIUC AnyWare may be helpful to those who:

    • need to run software that they do not have access to on their own devices;
    • need to run software that their personal device cannot run due to processing power;
    • are unable to download large files due to internet bandwidth issues or data caps.

You can learn about available software by visiting the Technology Services UIUC AnyWare webpage.

Tech Tip of the Week: StoryBlocks

Have you ever spent hours scouring the web for the perfect stock photo for a presentation? Good news! If you are a faculty or staff member, you now have access to Storyblocks, a repository of over 1 million high-quality images, videos, and audio files. To use this new service, go to the StoryBlocks website and then click “log-in”. Once you are on the login page, enter your Illinois email and press “enter.” The website will recognize you as a single-sign-on user and will prompt you to finish logging in through two-factor authentication. From there you can search easily for the content you need to finish your presentation!

Tech Tip of the Week: Learning Resources from CITL   

Here at the University of Illinois we have an amazing resource with the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL), and they provide resources for both instructors and students.  In their own words: “The Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning is a hub of innovation and hands-on support for those who want to discuss and work with higher education trends, models, projects, and resources. CITL uses leading pedagogical approaches, research-based methodologies, innovative instructional technologies, and comprehensive assessment practices to strengthen teaching efforts and improve student learning outcomes.”  Today’s Tech Tip will break down some of the resources CITL provides for both online and in-person instruction and learning.
    1. To learn more about CITL:
3. Instructor Resources
4. Visit the CITL Innovative Space!
      • “The studio is a 25-seat interactive visualization, makerspace, and VR classroom all in one. We have a video wall for visualizations, 10 VR/video editing/gaming workstations, and an array of emerging technologies, including virtual reality, laser cutting, 3D printing, 3D modeling, mixed reality, and much more. ” Check it out here!

Tech Tip of the Week: Take Breaks from your Screens!

Taking a break away from your screens can help with eye strain, sleep, productivity, and breaking the habit of doomscrolling.

Here are some apps you can use to remind you when it is time to take a break.

A good rule of thumb is to get out of your chair for at least 5 minutes each hour.

Another good rule of thumb to help with eye strain there is the 20-20-20 rule! Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen at something about 20 feet away for about 20 seconds. Consider this a stretch for your eyes!

Lastly, this might be a good time to check out our previous Tech Tip of stretches for your hands! check it out here.