Note: To assist with planning in the event of an escalation of disruptions from the current coronavirus issues, Information Technology Services (ITS) would like to provide the following information and tips. Please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@highline.edu or 206-592-4357 (HELP) with any additional concerns or questions.
ITS is providing steps that we will take to guard against the coronavirus in computer classrooms and labs, and safety and readiness tips for faculty and staff working on campus and remotely.
ITS will ensure that campus classrooms and labs (including instructor workstations/CARS) are cleaned every 2-3 days. Facilities and Public Safety will collaborate with ITS on cleaning instructor’s workstations around campus. The Help Desk and Open Lab in Building 30 has Purell foaming sanitizer dispensers available when using computers and devices.
Reduce the Spread of Disease
ITS recommends that you frequently wipe down your computer (keyboard, monitor(s), and mice), public counters, credit card readers, telephones, and all shared surfaces and items (e.g., door knobs, tables, keyboards. light switches).
Use a Selected EPA-Registered Disinfectant or a 10% bleach/water solution to clean surfaces. Please avoid putting disinfectant gels or liquids on electronics and other sensitive equipment, including elevator buttons, unless they have been indicated as safe to use on those devices.
Remote Work Options
In the event of an extended closure, and depending on operational decisions made by the college, ITS offers the following tips for working remotely, setting up online meetings, and e-learning options. For additional information, you may contact the ITS Help Desk by emailing helpdesk@highline.edu, submitting a ticket, or calling 206-592-4357 (HELP).
- Accessing Your Work Remotely
- Equipment
- Online Collaboration
- Other Helpful Tips
- Remote Work and Your Internet Connection
Software Tools in the Cloud
Some key components of the college’s computing resources are located in the cloud. This means that they are accessible from any device that is connected to the internet.
These include:
- Microsoft Office 365 – applications and email
- Canvas
- Google Drive
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
There are occasions when the resource you need is located within the protected areas of the college’s network. When this is the case, you will need to connect to Highline’s VPN. The VPN connection opens a secure tunnel to the campus network. If you might need remote access to on-campus resources (shared drives, Legacy system, etc.) to complete critical work during an extended outage, please make sure you have the Highline VPN software installed and tested on your mobile device or home machine as a preparatory measure. If you have not used the VPN before, you may need to contact the helpdesk for permissions or assistance.
Once you are connected to the VPN, you have two ways to access additional campus resources.
- Access a network share (eg: J drive, M drive, I drive, etc.). These network shares are used by individuals, departments, committees, etc., and are normally mapped to specific drive letters when accessed from on-campus computers. To access these shared/shared drives remotely, you must be able to create a secure tunnel between your Internet connected location (your home, coffee shop, etc.) and the college’s network. This is accomplished with the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. Once connected, you will need to know the path to the network share to map to it from your securely connected device. For assistance with this, please contact the helpdesk.
- Use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to connect to your office computer. If you are the only person who uses your office computer, you can connect to that desktop and use the software installed on it, or access your shared drives, just like you are sitting in your office – without any manual mapping. You must first be connected to the VPN for this to work. You will also need to know your computer name on the network, and the computer must be powered on in order to make this connection. You can access Administrative Systems (SMS, FMS, PPMS, etc.) by opening a VPN connection and using Remote Desktop Protocol to access your office computer.
Additional information on downloading the VPN client and instructions.
Soft Phone for Faculty/Staff
If you want to access your office phone while you are at home, you can download the application Soft Phone Google.
Protect Sensitive Data
You are responsible for adequately safeguarding sensitive institutional data when you work from home or away from campus, including telecommuting, and access Highline systems and applications—whether you are using a Highline-owned or personally owned device. Potentially sensitive data should not be stored on a laptop or USB device.
All Highline computing devices must maintain a basic level of security to protect the integrity of Highline data and networks, meet college policy requirements, and comply with standards and guidelines as indicated in the Highline College Cyber Security Policy.
Zoom
Using Zoom, Highline faculty or staff can host and join unlimited video conferences and calls from computers and mobile devices. Suggest a conference call or reschedule an in-person meeting if necessary.
Zoom is a best-in-class online communication and collaboration tool that provides video conferencing, web conferencing, and audio conferencing (both device-based and phone), as well as audio/video/sharing, all with an intuitive and easy-to-use user interface and wireless screen-sharing experience across Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS, Android, Blackberry, and Zoom Rooms.
Use Zoom to:
- Host and schedule meetings with up to 100 internal and external attendees
- Set up personal, online meeting rooms and audio conference lines
- Participate in online meetings via desktop or mobile devices
Any user can have a free Zoom account and hold virtual meetings up to 40 minutes. If you need to hold longer sessions, the college has a limited number of Pro licenses available. You can request a Zoom license or get support for Zoom by emailing helpdesk@highline.edu, submitting a ticket, or calling ext. 4357 (Help), 206-592-4357.
To get started, read instructions for Zoom here, or a guide for students.
Here is a link to the Weekly Webinars about Zoom: Zoom Webinars
eLearning Options
You can help students keep their momentum up, and reduce end-of-quarter stress (theirs and yours!), by making class resources available online. The Instructional Design group has highlighted some low-effort, high-impact ways that you can use Canvas and other tools to:
We realize many students don’t have computers or great internet access at home. However, many have smartphones and can access classes that way. These strategies were selected with that in mind. The evolving nature of the current situation means both you and your students may have many different needs; being flexible will be key.
References:
Covid-19: How To Protect Yourself and Others – CDC
WA Department of Health: Covid-19 Information Center
U.S. Department of Education: COVID-19 Resources for Schools, Students, and Families