Teaching Support

Q1: Who do I call for immediate assistance in the delivery of my course in the starting quarter?

A1: ITACS continues to serve as the first line of defense for faculty requiring immediate

1. Sakai/Zoom/Collaborate Help Desk: x2020 (for faculty only)
2. ITACS classroom instruction/AV support: x6911 (for faculty only)
3. CLEHelp@nps.edu and ithelp@nps.edu.

Q2: If x202 is busy, is there a different way for me to get immediate help right before or while I am teaching?

A2:  In preparation for such a situation, please join the “TLC Teaching Café” on Microsoft Teams using the code "rd47dj0".  This Team has three topic focused channels: Sakai support, Zoom support, and Teams support.  This is a collaborative effort actively monitored for the first two weeks by knowledgeable members of the TLC, NPS faculty, and NPS staff to provide on demand support:  Monday (3/30) and Tuesday (3/31) 0900-1400, and then from Wed (4/1) to Friday (4/10) from 12-1pm.

Q3:  Besides assistance with technology, how can I get immediate assistance for developing DL courses?

A3:  The Graduate Education Advancement Center‘s instructional designers (IDs) are available to help faculty rapidly develop DL courses. To schedule an appointment send an email to geacinstrdesign@nps.edu to discuss how best to meet your instructional needs.

Q4:  Is there a step by step guide that I can follow in starting and recording my Zoom session for a classroom?

A4:  Please use this quick guide:https://nps.edu/documents/111267364/0/Microsoft+Teams+Cheat+Sheet.pdf/ffd4f0a9-c932-9149-6edc-be973b3cca78?t=1584401618636 and this quick guide for more instructions:https://www.nps.edu/documents/111151326/113547840/Zoom+Cheat+Sheet.pdf/6b1a52de-9022-42bf-92ec-6eff3733b78f?t=1550697498000

Q5:  What resources do I have for unexpected challenges during the COVID-19 environment to support my teaching for the rest of this quarter?

A5:  The following will provide ongoing support:

1. The TLC site www.nps.edu/TLC will have all the current offered training, resources for faculty and students

2. “Faculty voices” that provides a forum for NPS faculty to support eachother through sharing their experiences in the COVID-19 environment.

3. CLE team will always provide Sakai/Zoom/Collaborate Help Desk support : x2020 or CLEhelp@nps.edu

4. GEAC will support faculty to rapidly develop DL courses for the Spring 2020 quarter: geacinstrdesign@nps.edu. 

5. Resources to optimize your learning environment, develop strategies for graduate-level success, and manage personal challenges that affect learning and mission completion: https://nps.edu/web/gwc/learning-tools

6. The Library provides research assistance virtually: https://library.nps.edu/covid19  

7. The Library and Graduate Writing Center have workshops and tutorials available, some live, some recorded:  https://nps.edu/web/gwc/resident-workshops.

8. The “TLC Teaching Café”  on Microsoft Teams using the code "rd47dj0" will remain a community based collaborative digital space to support the NPS learning culture by providing a medium for faculty to cultivate curiosity and inquiry by engaging in conversations. 

Q6: What are the plans to transition resident courses to a DL format (Res2DL)? 

A6: Deliver education through synchronous DL using Sakai and Zoom. Faculty with Blackboard Collaborate experience have the choice between Collaborate and Zoom; however, Collaborate will no longer be available beginning December 2020.

Q7: What are the plans to support faculty in the Res2DL transition? 

A7: Instruction and support for faculty to teach synchronous DL with Sakai and basic Zoom video conferencing is underway and includes:

• Distance Learning Start-Up workshops provided on request by GEAC ​
• Individual department support for DL resources provided on request by GEAC
• Digital training resources available at www.nps.edu/TLC​
• Create Sakai site for each Q3 class (CLEhelp@nps.edu or x2020).
• Assign Zoom accounts to each faculty member teaching in Q3 (students don’t need accounts)

Q8: What are the plans to support students in the Res2DL transition? 

A8:    Support for students using DL with Sakai and basic Zoom video conferencing includes:

• Access to digital training resources at www.nps.edu/TLC  (CLEhelp@nps.edu or x2020)
• No Zoom accounts are needed for students to join a meeting set up by a faculty member. Students need the link to join the meeting from Sakai or a calendar appointment
• Access to DKL/GWC/TPO resources:​  Existing resources (reviewing and updating as necessary) are available at https://library.nps.edu/research ; https://nps.edu/web/gwc/dl-workshops ; https://nps.edu/web/thesisprocessing/brief-schedule

Q9:  What is the plan to ensure education support staff for faculty are informed of Zoom and Sakai capabilities?

A9:  Individual department support for DL resources can be provided on request by GEAC.

Q10: What is the plan to ensure education support staff for students have access to resources (hardware; software) required to continue their support efforts?

A10:    Shift some educational support staff hours to more DL-focused reference support and coaching, and actively monitor systems connecting resources (ExLibris; Calhoun; iThenticate...)

Q11:  To execute classes remotely, what are the minimum IT requirements for my personal equipment to best operate with the university provided software?

A11:  Individual instructors and Program Officers will provide details about how each course will be delivered. Contact ITACS for IT-related assistance. 

To access the intranet from your NPS laptop:

https://wiki.nps.edu/display/TAC/Duo+Security+Two+Factor+Authentication  and download the Duo two authentication app for your cell phone (Apple or Android) to set up your account via the instructions.

• Ensure your laptop has the Palo Alto VPN client (GlobalProtect) program downloaded: https://www.nps.edu/web/technology/duo
• To log into NPS remotely, go to GlobalProtect and enter your username and password. Duo will send a code to your phone to authorize access.
• GlobalProtect will allow access to: https://cas.nps.edu/NPS.
• Enter your username and password to access the NPS network.

From the Intranet, use CloudLab to access your desktop files, which requires a web browser and an internet connection.

To use NPS CloudLab: https://cloudlab.nps.edu

• Select CloudLab HTML Access for online virtual desktop
• Select VMWare Horizon HTML Access (the lower right)
• Enter NPS username and password
• VMware Horizon Screen will ask for the Duo Push 6-digit password
• Select Cloudlab icon on the left
• Your desktop will appear virtually

Duo Security’s Two Factor Authentication is required for login to Cloudlab. To enroll in Duo: https://duo.nps.edu, click on “Device Management Portal” (NPS login required), and follow the steps to install on your mobile device(s).
Save all working documents on your virtual desktop or move them to the Shared drive. You cannot cut and paste or drag virtual desktop documents to your laptop.

Q12: What tools are available for teaching my classes remotely?

A12:    Sakai, Zoom, Teams, and Collaborate are available for teaching classes remotely. For departmental training, the Chair can request a workshop at TLC@nps.edu. Participants must have a Zoom account and Sakai course sites setup prior to the training. For individualized distance learning instructional support, please contact the GEAC instructional design team at GEACInstrDesign@nps.edu.

Q13: How can we provide feedback on our DL learning? 

A13: TLC is sending surveys to faculty and students for feedback.  ITACS adjusted ZOOM to make sessions more secure and your feedback will help us to refine options and services going forward. Learn more ZOOM tips here: https://wiki.nps.edu/display/SakaiCLE/Sakai+CLE+-+Collaborate+-+Zoom

TLC DL resources for all educators: https://nps.edu/web/tlc/tlc-resources

Q14: How can I teach my classes from home?

A14:    Effective delivery of instruction via web conferencing requires a robust internet connection with good “uplink” speed. The exact bandwidth requirement is impossible to predict for every case, but at least a 1.5Mbps uplink speed is recommended. Check with your Internet Service Provider to ensure that your current package meets the recommended requirements.
“Web conferencing” tools are available. For details, please contact the CLE helpdesk at clehelp@nps.edu (831-656-2020).

• Zoom Video Conferencing: Users with NPS Zoom accounts may create and host sessions with up to 100 participants. Students do not need an account to participate. ZVC supports screen sharing, common webcams, and sessions can be recorded. Unless required, do not use the VPN during Zoom sessions.
• Microsoft Teams: Only available to users with NPS email accounts. Supports screen sharing, common webcams, and sessions can be recorded.
• Collaborate: Courses already using Collaborate may continue, but Collaborate has been discontinued by Blackboard. Zoom or Teams are preferred.
• VTE: To teach a VTE course, Jabber Video is recommended, but that is contingent upon conditions at other DOD facilities, the number of remote students, and of simultaneous VTE courses scheduled. Jabber Video performance may also be impacted by concurrent use of the VPN. In general, it is recommended not to use both simultaneously. Please contact the VTE office to discuss options.