Tools for Online Learning
Internet
The FCC agreement states that providers will waive late fees, not cut off service for lack of payment, and open hot-spots. Several companies are offering free, 60-day internet packages to households that don’t already have an account.
- Altice USA is offering Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to any new customer household within their footprint.
- Charter is providing free access to Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi for 60 days.
- Comcast is offering an internet essentials package free for 60 days during the coronavirus outbreak.
- Many mobile phone companies are following the FCC agreement and offering extra help over the next 60 days. Check out AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon's responses to COVID-19.
For students that are still in the Athens area, internet reception is available in many parking lots on the Athens Campus. You can park in a lot and work from your car while staying socially distant from others.
Blackboard
Blackboard is the Learning Management System used by Ohio University. Faculty are being encouraged to move their courses onto this platform during this time of campus closure; your instructor might use Blackboard to communicate course announcements, assignments, discussions, quizzes and exams, and grades. Students may also download the Blackboard student app for iOS or Android devices.
OIT Service Catalog
OIT’s service catalog provides ways you can get help from anything like accounts and passwords to device support to software and more.
Ohio University Libraries
The Libraries offer a variety of services to support remote and online learning in response to COVID-19. See the Remote Library Services page for details:
OHIO librarian Chad Boeninger recorded research sessions to show students how different databases can be used for projects:
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a team-based collaboration tool that provides group chat, channeled conversations, instant messaging, live document collaboration, audio or video calls, and meetings (from one-on-ones to fully featured audio/video conferences). You can attend online meetings/sessions from your smart phone or your computer (this does require internet access).