Remote Learning Information and Resources for Students PDF
The University has established protocols for academic continuity, which includes courses having a Blackboard section to facilitate communication between students and instructors. During emergency situations, students are asked to prepare for possible
disruptions by getting familiar with the following technologies if the need to move classes online becomes necessary.
A checklist has also been provided to help students below:
Student academic responsibilities during campus closure
- Check your UTMB email regularly for the latest updates. If you believe you are not receiving emails from the University and/or your instructor(s), please email the following:
- Communications from SHP Office of Academic and Student Affairs: shpstdaf@utmb.edu
- UTMB Broadcast Announcements: report to shpstdaf@utmb.edu
- Course related: Faculty instructor directly only after checking Blackboard for messages
- UTMB employees and students are automatically enrolled in the UTMB Alerts (the University’s mass notification system), using basic directory information such as UTMB email and phone number. If you would like to verify your settings, visit UTMB Alerts
- Effective March 23rd, begin using Blackboard to ensure academic continuity.
- Use MS Office 365 applications available to students.
- Students should expect that instructors will make changes to course syllabi as a result of campus closure. In some cases, instructors will be adjusting courses for remote (online) instruction and assessment, over a short period of time.
- Carefully review course syllabi for updates and information from instructor(s). Contact your instructor in a timely manner with questions or regarding any necessary accommodations.
- Please note that during the campus closure, students are expected to continue working on their coursework and education.
If at any time you find you need help with any technical issues, please contact the UTMB Service Desk, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The UTMB Service Desk can be contacted by email at ishelp@utmb.edu.
Information Resource Security
Website: https://www.utmb.edu/infosec/welcome-to-infosec/home
Microsoft Office 365
Office 365 is included in a Microsoft partnership with Higher Education to provide powerful messaging, productivity, and collaboration tools to students and employees. This application is currently provided free to all UTMB students, accessible from
all modern web browsers (Google Chrome, Mozilla FireFox, Edge, Internet Explorer 11+, Safari etc.) for online use with online interfaces of common Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook Mail. Students also have the option
to download a local installation of Microsoft Office 365 (the latest version) to their device(s).
Students can log in to their mailbox via the web at https://outlook.office.com/, then proceed to click on the Outlook Mail icon. Information Services is beginning to
evaluate Office 365 as a solution to the rest of the University community.
Academic Computing
Educational and research technology resources for UTMB faculty and students are provided by the Academic Computing department. Academic Computing maintains the school's academic course management tools, lecture capture system, student online testing
applications, among other resources.
Learning Systems
Blackboard
Web-based access to courses from all four UTMB schools is provided by the Blackboard course management system. Blackboard courses can include many web-based course tools including announcements, blogs, contacts, calendars, discussion boards, glossaries,
journals, messages, tasks, tests, assignments, audio messaging, and wikis, as well as course content files.
- Your login information for Blackboard is your UTMB username and password.
- Blackboard does not require VPN for off-campus access. https://www.utmb.edu/eclass.
Remote Access/Connectivity
Cisco AnyConnect (VPN)
UTMB's Cisco AnyConnect (VPN) web page allows you to access campus applications and network
services protected behind the UTMB firewall. Traveling faculty, staff, and students, as well as those located at home, can connect to the UTMB network using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Blackboard does not require VPN for off-campus access: https://www.utmb.edu/eclass.
Remote Access: https://www.utmb.edu/it-services/remote/vpn
Duo Security
Referred to as two-step or two-factor authentication, this process, which uses Duo Security, asks individuals logging in to confirm their identity using a smartphone, via text, or via automated voice calls. To increase the security of information UTMB uses Duo, a two-factor authentication that
can be downloaded as an app on your phone. This two-factor authentication is needed to check your e-mail on or off campus and to login to the VPN to access myStar when off campus.
Instructions: How to install Duo