Support Page Content
Faculty Tech Highlights
Welcome (or welcome back)!
Whether in-person, hybrid, or remote, however you're delivering instruction we’ve rounded up the essential technology resources, links, and support you need.
Top 5 Checklist
- Logged into My Sac State (and your Faculty Center) with your Sac State (SacLink) account and authenticated with Duo?
- Connected to eduroam, the campus Wi-Fi?
- Opened and explored Canvas, Panopto, and your SacState Microsoft 365 tools like Outlook and OneDrive? (tip: always use M365 OneDrive to ensure your computer is backed up!)
- Downloaded the free Sac State Mobile app?
- Brushed up on cybersecurity? (it's phishing season year-round - learn how to spot and report scams)
Essentials for Spring 2024
Is your ENS Contact Information Current?
A new semester often brings other changes. Make sure we can always alert you in the event of an emergency by checking and/or updating your Emergency Notification System (ENS) contact information including phone numbers and email addresses.
Verify ENS Contact Information
New (and Continuing) Faces in IRT
As we begin this new year and new semester, we wanted to introduce campus to some new (and continuing) faces in IRT leadership:
- Nathan Zierfuss-Hubbard, Chief Information Security Officer
- Kelli Hunt, Director of Customer Services
- Matt Kay, Director of Academic Technology Services
- Nick Sladojevic, Sr. Director of Infrastructure & Operations
These candidates competed amongst top national talent, and we're fortunate to have them on board! Both Nick and Matt were internal staff who progressed into their current roles, and campus will be secure thanks to Nathan's many years of service in his prior role as Information Security Officer at our colleague campus Stanislaus State. Kelli brings exceptional soft and hard skills, successfully managing people-centric service experiences and delivering measurable outcomes.
Thanks again to campus for helping to interview and solidify these key technology leadership roles serving the Hornet Family!
Meet Nathan, Kelli, Matt & Nick
Dial '7' for Outbound Calls
For public safety reasons, we've officially changed the dial out number from '9' to '7' for outbound/off-campus calls for all Avaya desktop phones and softphones. Why? When dialing the standard '9' then '1' then the area code and phone number, folks frequently accidentally hit a second '1' which results in a '911' call/hang-up which Campus Police must investigate each time it occurs. The '7' is already activated, and the '9' will be discontinued on February 15.
And remember, the switch to '7' only impacts campus desk and softphones, and not your personal phones.
Updated Look for Password Manager
If you go to update or manage your Sac State password this Spring, you will notice a slightly different design experience when you do, plus Duo multi-factor authentication security is now in place. View what's new!
Duo Prompt Changes
A quick heads up - Duo will be updating their authentication experience in late February 2024. This is primarily a visual change (not functional or user experience) and there is nothing for you to do other than be aware of the new look so that you'll confidently Duo authenticate into Sac State systems in 2024 and beyond! Preview what's coming.
Workstation Refresh
We continue to work with colleges and divisions to provide updated laptops, docking stations and monitors for campus staff and faculty.
Strategically moving away from fixed desktop computers in favor of a laptop standard helps ensure continuity in all circumstances.
For Your Students
Virtual Computer Lab
New for Spring 2024! Originally launched during COVID-19 closures, we've formalized Virtual Computer Lab access, which allows students to access campus Computer Lab software from their own devices whether they're on or off-campus. Be sure and promote this feature to them throughout the semester as a great alternative for accessing software tools they need for coursework.
The Virtual Computer Lab also expands your options for remote teaching/learning as well as supporting:
- Customization: nearly all colleges have at least one college-specific virtual lab open for student use, but now you can also create course or major-specific Virtual Computer Labs if needed
- Access: Eliminates the issue of limited computer access for students
Ally Accessibility Tools in Canvas
We're encouraging students to explore the Ally Accessibility Tools built into Canvas to provide options for how they can engage with your course materials. This tool allows students to download alternative formats for course files and Canvas page content that you post to help them to see, hear, and even translate readings to fit their unique learning needs.
Student Technology Resources (STR)
Point students to the Student Technology Resources (STR) to help them navigate Canvas, Zoom, and other coursework tools. Students also have their own specific "welcome back" resources - point them here:
SacLink Account & Security
Resources to manage your SacLink (Sac State) account, see password reset options, enroll in Duo multi-factor authentication, and learn about your Faculty Center on My Sac State:
Duo Housekeeping
Switch to Duo Mobile App
If you're still having your Duo authentication calls sent to a campus desk phone or mobile phone, switch to the easier option of the Duo mobile app. Most of us always have our mobile devices on us, which makes it possible to authenticate on the go.
Need to Add a New Device?
Do you have a new or updated device you'd like to use for Duo authentication? Follow these steps to add a new device:
Duo Flooding Scam
A new phishing scheme involves a scammer sending you a Duo push notification you didn't originate, which may mean your Sac State account has been compromised. Don't accept any unusual Duo pushes - and follow these tips to protect yourself from Duo flooding scams.
Report Phishing
Cyberattacks hit inboxes frequently - brush up on what to look for at our online phishing resources, and be sure to report anything suspicious using the PhishMe Reporter button in your Outlook menu.
Internet Connection Options
On campus, your devices should automatically recognize and connect to eduroam, our official campus internet. If you have new devices - or just new to being on campus - our campus wireless section covers device-specific connection instructions. Pro tip: Depending on the age of your personal device(s) you bring to campus, you may need some driver updates to ensure your devices (laptops and mobile phones) can tap in.
Working remotely? You can explore off-campus alternatives, too:
Academic Technology Resources
The IRT Academic Technology Services (ATS) team is your go-to resource for using instructional technology, and offers drop-in virtual and scheduled one-on-one consultations in addition to helpful DIY resources through the Online Teaching Resources (OTR) guide.
- Learning instructional technology tools - in and out of the classroom
- Empowering you to use the technology supporting in-person, hybrid, and hyflex modalities
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles
- Creating digitally accessible, inclusive course materials to support all learners
- Course material remediation support
- Collaborative faculty support programming and learning communities in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning
Reclaim Hosting
Collaborate with your students each semester through a free, instructional use only website hosting service. Provided by Reclaim Hosting (also known as SacSites) you'll be able to sign up for your own custom sub-domain name URL (username.sacsites.csus.edu) and create a digital presence connecting various mediums such as blogs, portfolios, wikis, or open-source applications such as WordPress, Drupal, Scalar, and Omeka to your domain.
Gradescope
Create online assignments, quizzes, and exams easily! Gradescope supports a wide range of assessment types including:
- Fully paper-based (instructor or student-uploaded)
- Fully online
- Hybrid online/handwritten (via file upload questions)
- Code/Programming, and
- Bubble Sheets (Scantron alternative)
Gradescope Resources & How To's
Accessible Instructional Materials
The Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) is a collaborative campus effort committed to making instructional materials accessible and effective for all learners.
Be proactive in your approach to supporting accessibility - use the built-in Ally tool in Canvas to check whether instructional materials you’ve uploaded are accessible.
- Accessibility tools in Canvas including Ally and Rich Content Editor
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Resource
- Course Materials Remediation Services
Discover resources, training opportunities, and support to help you create, remediate, and innovate an engaging, compliant, and inclusive standard for instructional materials for your students.
Software, Tools & Training
January and February training sessions available! Are you new to (or need a refresher) on these essential tools? Attend an upcoming virtual training session or view recordings:
Acrobat Sign
Acrobat Sign Resources & Training
OnBase
And check out the growing OnBase forms library which includes helpful search and other functionalities (form description, who to contact) to make it easier to find Faculty/Staff OnBase forms.
Classroom Technology
Traditional, Hybrid, HyFlex - learn how to use the technology in University learning spaces. Check out DIY and consultation opportunities.
Teaching with Technology
What's new in the classrooms? Discover what campus learning spaces have to offer, and how to use it!
Want to test out classroom technology? Schedule a consultation with the IRT Learning Space Services (LSS) team, where you can practice with the tools within an on-campus training room.
Hybrid Meetings
New or need a refresher? This one-sheet shares best practices for each web conferencing tool.
While designed with campus staff and faculty attendees in mind, the "Hybrid Meetings: How To's for Hosting & Attending" flyer is also useful for your students, including helpful tips for structuring remote learning recordings to help optimize student access and engagement. Also visit the Zoom faculty resources for a deeper dive.
- Zoom - includes a Canvas integration
- Microsoft Teams
Get Support
Connect with your colleagues by joining the Educators Using Technology Microsoft Teams group or reach out for technical support:
Schedule a Consultation