Technology Starter Kit

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Getting Started for New Faculty

Technology Starter Kit

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Getting Started for New Faculty

Most of the following resources are available directly from the Office of Technology Services (OTS) website.

Below is a condensed, focused list of resources for the new faculty member. Be sure to scroll down past the critical technologies to find out how to use automated class email distribution lists, set-up your mobile devices, and connect to Towson resources off-campus.

OTS website
OTS Helpdesk: (410) 704-5151, then press 2+2+2 for faculty support or helpcenter@towson.edu

Account Activation

Once your department processes your paperwork and officially designates you as the instructor in a course, you should be able to activate your account. When you activate your account you will receive your official NetID (username) and set your password.

Once activated, you should soon have access to all of the Towson technology systems you will need to:

Activate your account
You can also access Account Activation and most other services through the Towson portal: mytu.towson.edu under Manage NetID/Account

Critical Technologies

There are four systems with which you can access almost all critical faculty resources. Each one can be accessed online using your Towson NetID through the Towson portal:

mytu.towson.edu

Outlook	Email and calendar
PeopleSoft	Rosters, student information and grades
Blackboard	Online course website for your class documents and other tools
Virtual Workspace	Virtual desktop with access to Microsoft products and campus resources

Outlook Web App (OWA)
An online method to access Towson email and calendar Outlook Web App Login Page View the help sheet: Outlook Web App, E-Mail Basics (PDF) View the help sheet: Outlook Web App, Getting Started (PDF)
PeopleSoft (Towson Online Services)
A central database containing class rosters, student information and course information Towson Online Services (PeopleSoft) Login Page Login and Access Your Class Rosters and Course Details video (7:59) and help sheet (PDF) Class Catalog Search video (5:06) and help sheet (PDF) Add/Drop During Change of Schedule video (5:57) and help sheet (PDF) Advisees video (3:03) and help sheet (PDF) Final Exam Schedule: Finding the Correct Day and Time video (5:01) and help sheet (PDF) Entering Grades (6:30) and help sheet (PDF)
Blackboard
An online course website for your class documents and other tools; a Blackboard course is created and populated with students automatically for each class every semester Blackboard Login Page Ensure your computer has all software needed to use Blackboard: Towson University Browser Checker Blackboard Quick Start website
Virtual Workspace
A computer desktop containing full versions of Outlook, Microsoft Office programs, and some specialized software; works as a computer on campus, providing easier access to campus resources Virtual Workspace Login Page Accessing the Virtual Workspace Website (PDF)

Tips from OTS

Technology Support Essentials for New Faculty
View the help sheet (PDF)
Email Your Class Quickly with a Preset Distribution List
Watch the captioned video (1:04) or read the transcript.
Which email client is right for me?
Outlook, Outlook Web Access, Entourage, or Outlook through the Virtual Workspace? View the Email Comparison video
How can I set up my mobile device?
View the Configuring Personal Smartphones to Receive Towson E-mail web page

On-Campus Computing

PC Users - Using Full Outlook 2010 on Campus
View the help sheet: Outlook 2010 Quick Reference Guide (PDF) Additional Outlook 2010 Help Sheets website

Mac Users - Special Start Up Instructions for On-Campus Computing
Connect to your H: Drive (Virtual Drive) Watch the captioned video (2:03) or read the transcript. Print to a Campus Computer Watch the captioned video (3:42) or read the transcript.

Faculty Support Resources and Training (Includes Teaching with Technology)

Office of Technologies New Faculty Orientation
The OTS New Faculty Orientation covers some of the same resources described above (e.g. PeopleSoft, email), plus an overview of the OTS structure and special services available to all faculty. All faculty are encourage to take advantage of no-cost special training and instructional technology support at through CIAT and OTS Training. Watch the video (32:41) or read the transcript.

Provost's Office
Administration Building, Room 311

Phone: 410-704-2125
Fax: 410-704-3129
E-mail: provost@towson.edu

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