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Learning Remotely

In the event of a disruptive event or emergency, your ability to continue participating in on-campus classes as planned may be affected.  This guide has been designed to provide viable, easily implementable options to continue your academic activities.

If you are unsure of how to use a specific tool or technology  (e.g., you have not taken an online quiz before), please contact UNIT directly via email at support@villanova.edu for assistance.

Click the plus symbol (+) to expand each section below and explore available options for continuing your instruction during an interruption.

It is recommended to perform the following tasks prior to working remotely.  

Access Blackboard

Blackboard is the unviersity's learning management system.  Via Blackboard you can:

  • View content (e.g., Readings, lectures, videos, articles, links, etc.)
  • Access to third party tools (e.g., social media, Publisher materials, etc.)
  • Communicate with your class and instructor (e.g., announcements, discussions, web conferencing)

Student Guides and Web Conferencing for Blackboard

 

 

UNIT offers Microsoft's Office 365 to the Villanova community.  Please visit our MS Office 365 page for more info. 

vDesktop is UNIT's virtual desktop technology that provides access to a high performing virtual machine through a variety of devices.  vDesktop allows users to access OS and various software applications virtually via any computer with an internet connection. More infromtaion on vDesktop here. 

Duo is required to access VDesktop

Access vDesktop

Zoom, a web conferencing tool enables you and your students to join the same meeting and share audio, video and screen.  When you offer a Zoom session, you need to share your meeting link via email with other students in advance and communicate clearly about the date/time to meet online.  To create your Zoom account, goto the Villanova Zoom Login page .  Click Login and enter your Villanova credentials.  Once you complete this step, your Zoom account will be created.  Below you will find links to Zoom Guides/Videos and trainings.  Prior to using Zoom, please review these resources or attend trainings. 

Students are entitled to a Basic Zoom account.  View the privledges of differnet Zoom account types.

A few tips for using or using Zoom:

  • Ensure your device is connected with a reliable high-speed Internet. Visit the following Zoom support sites for system and internet speed requirements (PC/Mac and Mobile). You can check your internet speed using site like: Speedtest
  • You may log in a little early to test your video and audio settings and stay for individual questions after the meeting.
  • You can leverage tools in Zoom to build engagement such as screen sharing, polling, chat, and hand raise.  We suggest beginning with a less complex features, such as polling and hand raise to focus your attention on listening to and engaging with your classmates.   

Resources for Zoom:

For more information on how to change your password or if you have forgotten your password, go to the Account Resetting your Password page.

You can record your presentations using MyMediasite, Villanova’s desktop lecture capture tool.  MyMediasite is a video platform that allows you to easily record and add video content to courses from your computer.  With the MyMediasite Desktop recorder app, you can record and publish presentations.  The recordings can include any combination of audio, webcam video, and your computer screen.   

Try to keep your presentations to about 15 minutes or less.  Consider splitting your material into multiple clips for longer presentations, as appropriate.  Following the recording, you can upload videos in MyMediasite and share.   

Resources for Mediasite: 

University Helpdesk

Call Us: 610-519-7777
M-Th 8am-10pm
F 8am-5pm
Sa-Su 12pm-8pm

Walk-ins: Falvey Library, First Floor
M-Th 9am-7pm
F 9am-5pm

Walk-ins: 
TechZone @ The Commons
Dobbin Hall
M-Th 8am-10pm
F 8am-5pm
Sa-Su 12pm-8pm

School of Law Helpdesk

Call Us: 610-519-7700
Walk-ins: Law Library Rm 104
M-F 9am-5pm

Classroom Technologies Hotline

610-519-5631