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Communication & Course Work - myGate, Canvas, Zoom
Once a disaster strikes it will be too late to gather the materials needed for on-going communication with students when face-to-face meetings may not be possible. myGate, Canvas, and Zoom offer various options for instructors and students to communicate with each other.
myGate
myGate can also be a source of student email addresses for maintaining communication. For instructions on how to copy email addresses from myGate for use in RacerMail or Outlook, view our "Creating an Email List from a Class Roster" article. Additional support articles:
Canvas
A Canvas course should be set up prior to an emergency event so that all information and tools can be available to the instructor. All courses are created automatically in the Canvas system. Setting up a Canvas course that contains your course syllabus is a quick and easy way to get prepared. Learning about additional features like sending messages and meeting online in Zoom would only add to a faculty member’s alternatives. To learn more about adding content and publishing your Canvas course for student use, see the Canvas Instructor Guide. Additional support articles:
RedShelf Support, https://solve.redshelf.com/hc/en-us
Cengage Support, https://cengage.force.com/s/contact-us, 1-800-354-9706
Zoom
Zoom is a web-conferencing tool that instructors can use from within Canvas to meet synchronously with a group of students. Since Zoom is available on the web, students can participate from anywhere. Instructors can communicate with students using live audio or text chat. PowerPoint slides can be uploaded with other documents as part of the online lecture. To schedule a training session or get Zoom support, contact the Faculty Development Center at 270-809-5000. Additional support resources:
myGate and Two-Factor Authentication (Duo)
myGate Passwords
If your browser saves your website passwords, it will be important for you verify your current myGate password. As myGate passwords expire every 120 days, it's always possible a person may have forgotten their password since their last password reset. If you aren't sure of your myGate password because it's stored in your browser, we recommend going to myGate and resetting/updating your passwords (including your email and network password).
myGate Two-Factor Authentication / Duo Mobile
There are several options users can choose from when setting up their myGate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), including using a landline, cell phone, tablet, USB security key, or a hardware token. If you have myGate 2FA only set up with a landline (you have a phone call sent to your office phone only), we recommend adding a new device to your myGate 2FA so you can still access myGate from home. We also recommend setting up backup passcodes for myGate 2FA in the event you lose your cell phone, have no cellular service at home, or do not with to use your cell phone.
Secure Backups
All office computer files should be backed-up regularly to a Network drive share. Simply printing hard copies of important documents or saving them to CD is not enough. Files saved to Network shares provided through MSU’s Networking department are backed-up to secure off-campus locations. Should MSU fall victim to physical damage such as fire, tornado or earthquake, this will be the only secure form of back-up. For more information about back-up procedures, contact the Service Desk at 270-809-2346.
Off-Campus Access with VPN
What is VPN? VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It allows you to use a computer at home, or anywhere you can find a high-speed internet connection, to access your computer at work. By using a VPN connection, you create a secure connection to your office computer. Once connected to your work computer, you can access files, log into sensitive systems, connect to network drives, check email and use software programs just as if you were sitting in your office.
Before you can use VPN, you need to fill out the "Off-campus Access/VPN Access Request" form. Once you have VPN access, a program must be installed on your home or portable computer. Instructions for downloading, installing, and using the VPN software is found in the "Off-campus Access/VPN Information & Instructions" article.