Technical Needs & Support

Technology Tools

Your instructors will decide which technology tools will be used for your courses. Canvas, Zoom , Canvas Studio, or Panopto are some of the tools that will help you access your course material, stay connected with your instructors and classmates and set you up for success while learning remotely. This page is designed to help you as you navigate these different technology tools.

Please check the FAQs page for additional support if you do not have access to high-speed Internet or a laptop.

Lipscomb Email

Your Lipscomb email account is the primary email account used for all campus communication. It is through this account that you will receive notifications from your instructors, the administration, and staff in various offices on campus as well as announcements about campus activities. It is important that you check this account daily!

Canvas

Canvas is the official Learning Management System (LMS) used by Lipscomb University to manage course content. Your instructor may choose to use Canvas for providing course content and for communicating.

Canvas works best when accessed using Chrome or Firefox. Both browsers are a free download. You can access Canvas through MyLipscomb or https://lipscomb.instructure.com You can also install the free Canvas Student app on your mobile device. However, not all Canvas features may be available on the app.

You may want to set up your Notification Preferences under Account-Notifications. Notification Preferences allow users to select how and when they want to be notified when various events occur within a course. Notification settings are applied to all courses. Canvas users can choose how often they want to receive Canvas notifications.

IF YOU ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH CANVAS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PROFESSOR FIRST.

Zoom

Your instructor may choose to use Zoom for synchronous (live) class meetings.

NOTE: You can also log in to Zoom and use

Zoom can be used on your laptop/computer, tablet, or smartphone. The following tips will provide you with how to setup Zoom along with what you should/should not do during a Zoom meeting.

Days Before

• You can go to https://zoom.us, enter your school email account, and sign up for a free account. It should launch the Zoom launcher for you to download. Remember to download and install the Zoom launcher (PC/Mac) or the app (iOS/Android) in advance, as it can take several minutes to complete.

• Review Zoom instructions here or via the external Zoom link provided by your instructor. More information can also be found at Zoom's Getting Started page.

• Join a Zoom Test Meeting (found by clicking here) to confirm your computer or device's capabilities.

• In your test meeting, practice using the Zoom features listed below under "Views to Choose From" and "The Zoom Menu."

• Contact Lipscomb's IT Help Desk to resolve any technical issues if your test meeting fails.

15 Minutes Before

• Find a quiet space with strong WiFi that is free of distractions. You can test your internet connection speed by visiting Zoom's suggested third party bandwidth tester, Speedtest.

• Open Zoom via the downloaded program, app, or through the Zoom module link provided by your instructor.

• Test your headphones, microphone, and camera to make sure the class can hear and see you (and vice versa).

• To test your microphone, click "Test Computer Mic & Speakers" in the pop-up window that appears when first opening a test meeting or beginning your scheduled meeting. More information on audio testing can be found here.

• To test your camera, just look at the Zoom window to see that you are clearly visible, non-pixelated, and can move and speak without noticeable delays. Click here for more video testing tips.

• You may need to give Zoom permission to access your camera and microphone beforehand. Typically, the request for permission will appear in a pop-up window the first time you open a Zoom Meeting, and will carry over to future meetings. If you declined permissions in the past, you will need to go into your PC or Mac's settings to allow Zoom to access your camera and microphone. You can contact the Help Desk to assist you in this process, or find information on the internet for your specific device.

• Close any windows or programs open on your device that are unrelated to your meeting. This focuses your device's power to provide the best Zoom meeting experience possible, and prevents potential embarrassing moments if you happen to share your screen. Do you really want your professor to know how many cat videos you actually watch?

During the Zoom Meeting

• Click Start Video to begin broadcasting from your webcam.

• Click the Chat bubble to ask questions via text, share links to websites, and keep up with the class's back-channel discussion. You can chat to everyone in the meeting, just the professor, or a specific person.

• Find out who else is in the meeting by clicking Participants. This is also where you can "raise your hand" to ask a question, answer a question, or have a discussion.

• Microphones pick up all ambient noise, so keep your mic muted until it's your time to speak.

• Remember that when on-camera, other activities such as eating, drinking, shuffling papers, etc are extremely distracting (and sometimes unflattering).

• Be prepared to share your screen with the class. They can see the tabs you have open.

• At the end of the class, click Leave Meeting.

The Zoom menu contains several features that can be used at any time throughout class meetings. For laptops, PCs, and Macs the menu can be found by hovering over the bottom of the Zoom window. In the Zoom app, the menu can be accessed by tapping the bottom of the app window.

*Tips provided by Lipscomb's College of Education

Google Meet

Some instructors may choose to have virtual meetings through Google Meet. The instructor will send you a link in order to access the meeting.

Canvas Studio

Canvas Studio is a communication tool that allows instructors and students to actively collaborate through video and audio media. If your instructor is using Canvas Studio, you will find Canvas Studio embedded into your course. NOTE: It may also be called ARC in some places on campus.

Instructors may create videos or screen shares/lectures through Canvas Studio. You may also be asked to use Canvas Studio to submit video recordings or presentations. The first time you use Canvas Studio you may need to provide permission for it to be used on your device. NOTE: Studio webcam capture is only supported by Chrome and Firefox browsers.

Panopto

Panopto is also a communication tool that allows instructors and students to actively collaborate through video and audio media. If your instructor is using Panopto, you will find Panopto embedded into your course.

Instructors may create videos or screen shares/lectures through Panopto. You may also be asked to use Panopto to submit video recordings or presentations. The first time you use Panopto you will need to download and install the Panopto Recorder. The following pages will provide support for downloading and installing Panopto.

Honorlock

Your instructor may choose to use Honorlock for proctoring quizzes and exams. The following resources from Honorlock may provide additional support for you.

If you are a faculty member who likes to test the system from your students point of view, these resources may benefit you as well!

Honorlock Student Guide (the same guide that is in Canvas when they start the test)

Honorlock Video for your Students (good video to send to your students on how to take an exam in the LMS)

Honorlock Video for Students taking a 3rd party Exam (for exams in Pearson, MyMathLab, etc)

Proper Room Scan (shows your students how to do a proper room scan)

honorlock.com/support (students can test their system here and contact support)

Frequently Asked Questions for Students

What do I need to know before taking my exam?

Ensure your computer is charged and has a strong internet connection. You can check your system at honorlock.com/support. Make sure to use Google Chrome when you log in to take your test. We recommend students take their exam in a quiet private location to limit potential flags and distractions.

Why do I need a photo ID? What forms of ID are acceptable?

We verify the photo and name on your ID to ensure you are the correct test taker. You can use any government issued (i.e. driver license, passport) or a student ID that has your photo.

What if something goes wrong during my exam?

Don’t worry, Honorlock offers technical support 24/7 to assist students before, during, and after their proctored tests. If you need any assistance, contact our support agents by phone or live chat. The support line for students is - 844-243-2500

Why am I being prompted for an access code?

If you are being prompted for an access code you are most likely not in Google Chrome or you do not have the Honorlock Chrome Extension.

What is the Honorlock Chrome browser extension?

The Honorlock extension is a small program that modifies the Chrome web browser and not your computer. Nothing is installed on the computer. Students can remove the Honorlock Chrome extension as soon as their exam is submitted.

What equipment is needed?

You will need to have a working webcam, microphone, and either a laptop or desktop computer. Integrated or external USB will both work.

How is my privacy protected?

Honorlock is FERPA compliant and uses securely encrypted protocols to save and view all test taker assets. Honorlock's certified proctors and your institution's faculty are able to review test session videos until deleted based on the school's retention policy.

What about accessibility and students with special needs?

Honorlock is VPAT certified and fully accessible to students with special needs. Additionally, Honorlock works with screen readers if needed.

Does Honorlock determine who is cheating?

No. Honorlock simply reports back possible incidents. Ultimately, your instructor determines if cheating occurred by viewing the video recording.