Student Technology Resources for Remote Learning

These TU technology tools allow students to continue academic activities from any location. 

Prepare in Advance 

Have this Recommended Equipment 

  • Computer (PC or Mac).  
  • Webcam with microphone - these are usually built into smartphones, laptops and computers.
  • Headphones – these are often essential to prevent distracting echoes.
  • Secure, reliable, high-speed Internet access - research and optimize your home connectivity now, to ensure future successful distance learning and exam taking.
  • An Ethernet cable – directly connecting your computer to the Internet is more reliable and stable than Wi-Fi, which is important when participating in online courses, events, meetings and presentations.
  • A hotspot - if you don't have reliable, high-speed Internet access, check with your mobile provider to see if you can activate your phone’s hotspot feature. This allows connection of laptops to the Internet. Usually, hotspot data use is counted differently than regular phone data.

Follow these Basic Recommendations

Connecting, Accessing and Storing

Task Use this service How to use it
Access Blackboard, check assignments and grades  Blackboard (blackboard.towson.edu)
Bb Resources
Access TU email   Microsoft Outlook (outlook.towson.edu) Outlook resources
Use the Microsoft 365 (M365) suite: Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, OneDrive. Microsoft 365 (m365.towson.edu) M365 resources
Register for classes, make schedule changes, pay bills, and check grades PeopleSoft/Towson Online Services Self-Help guides from the Registrar's Office

Use Adobe Creative Cloud software (Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)

Adobe Creative Cloud Adobe CC resources
Send an oversized file (larger than 25MB) or confidential document to an instructor or fellow student  File Delivery Service (FDS)  File Delivery Service (FDS) Knowledge Base article
Reset or change an expired password  NetID Tools

Reset a password with a one-time code  *Login with TU ID might be required to view

Store non-confidential files and share documents  OneDrive (M365)

OneDrive resources 

Online Meetings and Collaboration

Task Use This Service How To Use It
Attend a meeting set up by your instructor  Blackboard, Webex Meetings or Zoom

See resources for Webex Meetings or Zoom, Blackboard resources

Attend a meeting recorded by your instructor  Blackboard or Panopto (both through Blackboard)

Panopto resources, 
Blackboard resources

Collaborate on group projects, schedule and attend meetings remotely using voice and video  Webex MeetingsWebex (formerly Webex Teams) or Zoom. Learn about the difference in features.

You'll first need to activate your account. See resources for Webex MeetingsWebex (formerly Webex Teams) or Zoom

Security

  • Be aware of suspicious email (phish) and internet scams. Report a phishing email by forwarding it to .
  • Make sure your personal computers are protected with up-to-date antivirus software—especially if you're using them to access TU resources.  Learn more.
  • Be sure you have the latest updates installed for your personal computer's operating system.
  • Use trusted and secure wi-fi whenever possible.
  • For resources and more information, visit TU's Office of Information Security and Privacy website. 

Support Options 

General Technology Help

For help with technology-related issues like connectivity, service, or login issues, contact the OTS Technology Support Desk. We're available through email, text message and phone or use the chat feature on this page. Submit a TechHelp service request at any time.  

Log into and search the TechHelp Knowledge Base for self-help how-to articles for using TU technology.

Blackboard

If you need help with Blackboard, contact the TU Blackboard team. See the TU Blackboard site for support options and hours. There are also self help resources on navigating, communicating, submitting assignments, using discussion boards, taking tests and other operations.   

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have an iPhone or Android phone, some data plans allow the phone to become a mobile hotspot (tethering). Check towson.edu/wireless for options.

Faculty are encouraged to design activities for mobile devices, so consider downloading the Blackboard app. Depending on the course and nature of assignments, using only a smart phone or tablet might be challenging. If it's difficult to participate due to device or Internet service limitations, let your professors or Student Affairs know. They might be able to connect you with helpful resources.

 
  • For general communication with members, consider a WordPress site which can be requested through Involved@TU.
  • Online meetings can be scheduled and attended using Webex Meetings and Webex. Learn about the difference in features
  • To share and work collaboratively on files, use your M365 OneDrive. Student organizations can use a SharePoint site, a group OneDrive space, assigned through the group’s faculty/staff advisor.
  • You can also  a virtual “Ask Me Anything” session, and Technology Support Desk will help your student group figure out what works best for your organization.
 

Learn more about cyberthreats through OTS' Office of Information Security and Privacy, keep your OS and antivirus software updated, and be aware of email phishing attempts. Forward suspicious emails to for feedback and to protect TU. Use an antivirus program; Microsoft Windows Defender and Avira Antivirus for MacOS are both free.

Virtual Workspace can be accessed three different ways: web browser, locally installed client, and mobile device. You’ll get the best performance by installing and running the Horizon client on your personal home computer, particularly for resource intensive applications such as SPSS or ArcGIS. 

If you need to record a slideshow (e.g., PowerPoint) with narration and webcam presenter video, consider one of these tools. Each allows you to combine your computer screen, microphone, and webcam feed into a single video product.

  • Panopto Recorder – Record directly to a Panopto assignment folder in your Blackboard course. For this to work, your professor must first enable an assignment folder in the course. See Adding Video to an Assignment Folder (PDF / video) and the Panopto Quick Reference Guide (PDF).
  • Screencastify – use this simple Google Chrome browser extension to record screencasts. Video can be saved as MP4 and/or shared via most online services. Download Screencastify. 
  • TechSmith Capture – (formerly Jing) is a free, user-friendly application for recording screencasts. It includes 2GB of web storage from which you can share your recordings. Download TechSmith Capture
  • Sceencast-o-matic – get free and premium editions of this long-running screencast recording tool. Download Screencast-o-matic.
  • Contact the Technology Support Desk to connect directly with team
  • Request a virtual Ask Me Anything session for your student group, whether it’s an SGA-affiliated organization or a class project group. The Tech Support Desk staff will answer questions about any technology topic that affects you. Email to get started.