Virtual tables at Job and Internship Expo broaden horizons for students
For the fifth consecutive year, Elon Information Technology (IT) supported the Student Professional Development Center by providing “virtual tables” to the Job and Internship Expo. Using the video chat software WebEx, these virtual tables connect potential employers who cannot be physically present with interested students.
Read MoreOnline alternatives to cancelling class
As an Elon faculty member, we know that inclement weather, illness, or travel can sometimes prevent you from being on campus. When this occurs, consider using online alternatives instead of cancelling class. Here are a few technology tips to consider: Use Moodle as a central location to update course information, lead and facilitate discussions, and post assignments. You can also live chat with your students using Moodle’s text-based chat. Introduce a topic/concept using video. Record a quick introduction using your web cam or record your screen with Kaltura and then upload the video to your course in Moodle. Use web conferencing tools like WebEx to hold class remotely and synchronously. Add audio to PowerPoint slides, and then upload your file to Moodle. Link to existing video resources like Learning on Demand, Lynda Training, and Kanopy streaming video and lead a discussion in Moodle. If you’re not sure where to start, Teaching and Learning Technologies (TLT)…
Read MoreQuick Guide to Student Printing
This summer, Information Technology (IT) converted student printer stations from Pharos to Canon printers. This change brought several advantages to students, like the ability to send print jobs from any device and the ability to scan and copy. These new machines are more robust and full-featured, but of course, with all changes, things are a bit different now.
Read MoreLastPass Password Manager: A Crash Course
LastPass, an easily downloadable internet extension for all browsers, is ideal for securely storing your passwords. Whether you’re someone who’s always forgetting a password, prefers to have a different password for every account, or anywhere in between, LastPass will become an essential tool for keeping your information safe and accessible. Any password you add to your LastPass vault is available at the push of a button, making logging into any website simple. The app will also store safely store personal information, like payment details, Wi-Fi passwords, insurance numbers, and more. The info you need will be kept secure and easy to access whenever you need. Students and faculty are able to join LastPass Premium, making an annual $24.00 bill for using LastPass free to the Elon community. Read on to learn how you can start your free LastPass account in just a few clicks. Creating your LastPass Vault Visit…
Read MoreNeed to Cancel Class? Try These 4 Online Alternatives Instead!
Whether you have a planned absence on the calendar, or inclement weather suddenly threatens to cancel your lecture, there are several ways to hold an effective class digitally. Read on to learn about online tools that can help keep your class on track when holding class isn’t possible. 1. Utilize Moodle’s impressive array of features. Todd Lee, a Professor of Mathematics and and Faculty Fellow for Technology, is no stranger to conducting classes remotely. While conferences and the occasional illness sometimes keep him from class, Lee has not shied away from using digital tools like Moodle to keep his classes on schedule despite absence. The ability to embed videos, articles, and quizzes into Moodle courses can be very helpful for designing an online equivalent to lecture. One way to gauge students as they follow a remote class is to assign relevant readings and/or videos, and then a subsequent benchmark…
Read More5 Awesome Moodle Features You Didn’t Know Existed
After the Moodle renovation this winter, the interface has more features than ever, geared to make your online classroom interactive and convenient. Want to learn how to get the most out of Moodle? You’re in the right place – here are five hidden features you may not have known Moodle offers. 1. Use Moodle’s user-friendly editing tools to make frequent changes in your courses. As an instructor using Moodle, it’s easier than you may think to adapt and edit your courses. You can use the “Turn Editing On” link to make editing icons visible and customize your course. Moodle also makes it simple to organize modules even in the most content-heavy courses. Click and hold the crosshairs icon beside a course header and Moodle will display all headers uploaded to the page. Then, you can click and drag where you want each activity to fall. If you’re on the…
Read More2 Real Examples to Help You Spot an Email Phishing Scam
The dangers of phishing scams hit closer to home than ever last week as Elon faculty and staff members found themselves targeted. As one can note from the screenshots included below, these convincing, yet fraudulent, emails asked faculty and staff to log onto their private Elon accounts. From there, scammers will search for account numbers, login IDs, and other user information. It’s important to learn how you can detect and avoid similar scams. Check out the emails and annotations below to learn how you can spot a fraudulent email. (Click the images below to zoom in.) How to spot a fraudulent email: Remain wary of emails from senders you don’t recognize, especially if they’re asking you to click a link and log in to a website. Remember that grammatical errors can be a sign that an email is a scam, particularly if the email is from an unknown…
Read More3 Common Tax Scams and How to Avoid Them
According to the IRS, thousands of people have had their personal information (and sometimes money) stolen as a result of a tax scam. These scams, also known as “phishing schemes,” try to trick people into sharing their personal information by pretending to be an official organization, such as the IRS. While you may think that you’re not at risk, if you possess a phone, an email address, or receive mail, you too could fall victim to a tax scam. Today, we’ll share a few ways you can detect common phishing schemes and keep your personal information safe this tax season. There are several ways that scammers may contact you when trying to phish for personal information. Stay alert and familiarize yourself with some of the most common ways scammers may reach out: Threatening phone calls claiming you owe back taxes, or threatening arrest if you do not pay. Fraudulent emails…
Read More5 Tips for Blocking Hacker Attacks This Cyber Monday
The holiday season has arrived! While this is a perfect time to get great online deals, this is also the time when scammers and hackers take advantage of the increase in online transactions to steal personal information. Scammers often use social media, email, and text messages to trick you into giving away your personal information by getting you to click on links disguised as sales. Usually the links appear to come from a legitimate source, however clicking on them takes you to a malicious, but real-looking, page asking for your personal information. Today, we’ll share a few ways you can spot shopping scams and keep your personal information safe. Ask yourself these quick questions before buying online this holiday season: Question 1: Are my apps and web browsers up-to-date? Apps and web browsers are updated regularly to add new features and address any security vulnerabilities. Before making a purchase make…
Read MoreTakeaways from National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2017
Every October, businesses, organizations, and individuals from around the work come together and participate in National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) to promote online safety and cyber security awareness. This month, Elon’s Office of Information Technology has worked together to help make online safety approachable and accessible with weekly cyber security articles and quick tips for staying safe online. Here are the main takeaways from each week of NCSAM: Cyber Security 101 A major theme in this year’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month included sharing that it is not difficult to stay safe from the threat of cyber attacks. Throughout the month, we highlighted simple tips for keeping your information safe on the web, including how to create strong passwords, learning to spot email scams, and how to regularly backup your device. Creating a Culture of Cyber Security in the Workplace There are many ways for hackers to steal data…
Read More