The University of Miami has created additional support for remote technologies that allow faculty and students to continue their teaching and learning activities and are a powerful strategy for business continuity during a University disruption.
Review Frequently Asked Questions
1. Check your Internet speed: Visit speedtest.net to test your Internet speed at home. If you experience any issues with Wi-Fi at home, review our Wi-Fi FAQs and Tips for potential solutions. 2. Log in to Blackboard: Visit courses.miami.edu to ensure you have access to your online courses. 3. Install Respondus LockDown Browser: Some professors will deploy tests in Blackboard and specify that students use the Respondus LockDown Browser to complete the test. Download Respondus LockDown Browser to prepare. 4. Learn how to use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra: Collaborate Ultra is a webinar system professors can use to teach a class remotely. Learn more about using Collaborate Ultra as a participant. 5. Download Zoom: Many professors will request that students use Zoom for online learning. Activate Zoom by visiting zoom.miami.edu and sign in using your CaneID credentials. Then, download the Zoom desktop client. For more information, review the Quick Start Guide, review Zoom FAQs for students, or check out all of the Zoom FAQs. 6. Download any software you may need: If you need to download any software to your home computer, please visit miami.edu/software for a list of software—most available at no cost to you. 7. Store and access your files remotely. Shared and personal files can be accessed easily through Box or OneDrive. 1. Check your Internet speed: Visit speedtest.net to test your Internet speed at home. If you experience any issues with Wi-Fi at home, review our Wi-Fi FAQs and Tips for potential solutions. 2. Identify the computer that you will use to work, learn, or teach remotely. Make sure it is in good working order and securely connected to the Internet. Enable automatic updates on your computer and web browser to keep your system secure and up-to-date. 3. Test access to the University of Miami's remote tools and services from home. Review the "Quick Access Links" section below, plus any other UM services you may need to access, and ensure you can log in from an off-campus location. Test conferencing or video conferencing functionality (e.g., ensure that your computer has a built-in microphone and speaker, etc.). If you need to download any software, please visit miami.edu/software for a list of software—most available at no cost to you. 4. Set up Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on more than one device, in case you don't have your mobile phone with you. You can use Duo MFA's "Manage Devices" feature to add, remove, or change the devices that Duo can use to verify who you are. 5. Store and access your files remotely. Shared and personal files can be accessed easily through Box or OneDrive. 6. Forward your office phone calls to a personal phone. Review your office phone's settings to learn how to forward your calls. 7. Gather everything else you'll need to be productive. Make sure you have any important work files or equipment, like power adapters, that you'll need to bring home from the office. 8. Practice safe computing. While remote, please follow all University practices and policies to maintain security on your device(s) (see IT Policies). Follow UMIT's best practices for connecting to the safely to the Internet. If you receive a suspicious email or suspect your device/account has been compromised, report the incident immediately to IT Security at infosec@miami.edu. For additional information and resources available by role, review the student, faculty, and staff sections below.Student Checklist
Faculty and Staff Checklist
Students should check with their professors to ensure they are prepared to access course materials online. To find your professor's contact information, please review your course syllabus. (Note: While Blackboard Collaborate Ultra and Zoom will be the University's predominate tools for online learning, please reach out to your course professor to check if they are using Microsoft Teams or Skype for online instruction.) Experiencing Wi-Fi Issues? Please review the Home Wi-Fi FAQs and Tips. Blackboard (courses.miami.edu) is the most commonly used learning technology at the University of Miami. However, students that are not using Blackboard should familiarize themselves with the complete set of tools available. We recommend using either Google Chrome or Firefox when using Blackboard. Some professors will deploy tests in Blackboard and specify that students use the Respondus LockDown Browser to complete the test. Once you have installed and launched the Respondus LockDown Browser, it will make you close all other applications on your computer before you can take the test. Collaborate Ultra is a webinar system professors can use to teach a class remotely. Learn more about using Collaborate Ultra as a participant. Zoom (zoom.miami.edu) is a video conferencing tool that combines an easy-to-use interface with exceptional video quality, offering a seamless experience for collaboration across mobile devices, desktops, and conference rooms. Teams (teams.microsoft.com) can be used for communication with faculty and/or fellow students including group chat, private chat, video-conferencing with screen sharing, file sharing, and any other collaboration needs. Start up a chat, call or video conference with faculty and/or peers via the web-browser, mobile, or desktop Microsoft Teams app. Note: The University's virtual private network (VPN) GlobalProtect is no longer required for off-campus access to many University enterprise systems, including but not limited to: Workday; CaneLink; Epic/UChart; Microsoft Office 365/Email/Teams; Blackboard; Adobe Creative Cloud; cloud storage like Box or OneDrive; and Zoom. If you are using VPN, please ensure that you aren't using high-bandwidth tools, including video-streaming services like YouTube or Zoom, while connected. If you are uncertain about whether or not you should use VPN, or if you have any questions, please contact the IT Service Desk at: 305-284-6565 or help@miami.edu.Blackboard
Respondus LockDown Browser
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
Zoom
Microsoft Teams
During unplanned events or emergency closures, there are common issues that will affect on-campus classes if there is an inability to attend class, including diminished class time, limited internet access, and uncertain travel plans of students, professional staff, and faculty. This guide provides options for faculty to teach and support students in times of disruption, and aims to complement administrative and departmental guidelines. Need the latest UM updates? The University of Miami Office of Emergency Management provides the latest updates, information, and guidance related to major emergencies and disasters. Need help with teaching online? The Distance Learning Institute provides consultations for faculty who leverage online technologies and teaching techniques to create engaging course experiences. To schedule a consultation, contact Johnny Orr. Need to adjust assessments and course activities? Learning Innovation and Faculty Engagement (LIFE) can help faculty members explore a variety of teaching strategies and can provide guidance regarding implementing alternative course materials and assignments. To schedule individual or request group consultations, contact the LIFE team at life@miami.edu. Need technical support? In addition to the help desk and instructional video series, the Learning Platforms Team can provide training and support for any of the technologies featured on this page. For more information, visit the Academic Continuity Guide *Note: UM Faculty – Advisory for teaching students located in China: Please be advised that certain website, such as Google Drive (drive.google.com) and Box (miami.box.com), are blocked in China. However, OneDrive (onedrive.miami.edu), Blackboard (courses.miami.edu), and Zoom (zoom.miami.edu) are accessible for students in China. To test if a site is currently blocked in China, please visit: comparitech.com/privacy-security-tools/blockedinchina.Academic Continuity Guide
Faculty members shifting to teaching courses remotely may be interested in incorporating teaching technologies that promote students' academic integrity in their quizzes, tests, and written work. The University of Miami offers a number of technology platforms to promote academic integrity, including control of the testing environment with Respondus LockDown Browser, remote proctoring with Respondus Monitor, and plagiarism checking with Blackboard SafeAssign. This guide outlines key resources available to faculty and students. For more information, visit the Assessments and Academic Integrity GuideAssessments and Academic Integrity
Blackboard (courses.miami.edu) is the most commonly used learning technology at the University of Miami. However, faculty members that are not using Blackboard to teach courses completely online should familiarize themselves with the complete set of tools available. Tools include instructional videos, quizzing, discussion forums, and taking attendance through online participation. Collaborate Ultra is a webinar system that can be used in a number of ways. Uses include: teaching a class remotely by connecting (live) to the classroom presentation; recording a live classroom presentation for later review; recording a personal PowerPoint presentation for later student access; and holding a working meeting with people both inside and outside the University. Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is integrated with Blackboard Learn so that it is easy for the instructor and students to access in official classes. This short video introduces how to navigate Ultra within your course, with more information on the LPT wiki site. Leverage Respondus Monitor and LockDown Browser to proctor remote exams. Faculty should download the Respondus tool, in preparation for conducting remote examinations. Join a training session to learn how to install and enable the Respondus LockDown Browser, as well as how to enable and review videos on Respondus Monitor. Access a list of all available trainings. Experiencing Wi-Fi Issues? Please review the Home Wi-Fi FAQs and Tips. For more information, visit the Academic Continuity Guide Note: The University's virtual private network (VPN) GlobalProtect is no longer required for off-campus access to many University enterprise systems, including but not limited to: Workday; CaneLink; Epic/UChart; Microsoft Office 365/Email/Teams; Blackboard; Adobe Creative Cloud; cloud storage like Box or OneDrive; and Zoom. If you are using VPN, please ensure that you aren't using high-bandwidth tools, including video-streaming services like YouTube or Zoom, while connected. If you are uncertain about whether or not you should use VPN, or if you have any questions, please contact the IT Service Desk at: 305-284-6565 or help@miami.edu.Blackboard
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
Respondus Monitor and LockDown Browser
Training
Although synchronous meetings in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra and Zoom can be recorded for future reference, session recordings may constitute protected educational records per FERPA. For more information, refer to Virtual and Other Classroom Recording and Student Privacy (FERPA). Review video conferencing tips and suggestions for faculty. Zoom (zoom.miami.edu) is a video conferencing tool that combines an easy-to-use interface with exceptional video quality, offering a seamless experience for collaboration across mobile devices, desktops, and conference rooms. Teams (teams.microsoft.com) can be used for synchronous communication with students including group chat, private chat, video-conferencing with screen sharing, file sharing, and any other collaboration needs. Start up a chat, call or video conference with a student via the web-browser, mobile, or desktop Microsoft Teams app. Access a list of all available trainings. Experiencing Wi-Fi Issues? Please review the Home Wi-Fi FAQs and Tips. For more information, visit the Academic Continuity Guide Note: The University's virtual private network (VPN) GlobalProtect is no longer required for off-campus access to many University enterprise systems, including but not limited to: Workday; CaneLink; Epic/UChart; Microsoft Office 365/Email/Teams; Blackboard; Adobe Creative Cloud; cloud storage like Box or OneDrive; and Zoom. If you are using VPN, please ensure that you aren't using high-bandwidth tools, including video-streaming services like YouTube or Zoom, while connected. If you are uncertain about whether or not you should use VPN, or if you have any questions, please contact the IT Service Desk at: 305-284-6565 or help@miami.edu.Student Privacy (FERPA) Guidelines for Recorded Class Sessions
Video Conferencing Tips and Suggestions
Zoom
Microsoft Teams
Training
In the event that staff need to work remotely, there are various tools available to support business continuity during a University disruption. Experiencing Wi-Fi Issues? Please review the Home Wi-Fi FAQs and Tips. Collaboration tools—such as Box and OneDrive—enable you to connect with others, no matter where you are located in the world. We recommended that you store all of your business data in one of these cloud-based solutions. You are encouraged to set up Duo MFA on more than one device, in case you don't have your mobile phone with you. You can use the "Manage Devices" feature to add, remove, or change the devices that Duo can use to verify who you are. Zoom (zoom.miami.edu) is a video conferencing tool that combines an easy-to-use interface with exceptional video quality, offering a seamless experience for collaboration across mobile devices, desktops, and conference rooms. Teams (teams.microsoft.com) can be used for communication with colleagues including group chat, private chat, video-conferencing with screen sharing, file sharing, and any other collaboration needs. Start up a chat, call or video conference with colleagues via the web-browser, mobile, or desktop Microsoft Teams app. Note: The University's virtual private network (VPN) GlobalProtect is no longer required for off-campus access to many University enterprise systems, including but not limited to: Workday; CaneLink; Epic/UChart; Microsoft Office 365/Email/Teams; Blackboard; Adobe Creative Cloud; cloud storage like Box or OneDrive; and Zoom. If you are using VPN, please ensure that you aren't using high-bandwidth tools, including video-streaming services like YouTube or Zoom, while connected. If you are uncertain about whether or not you should use VPN, or if you have any questions, please contact the IT Service Desk at: 305-284-6565 or help@miami.edu.Cloud Storage and Collaboration Solutions
Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Zoom
Microsoft Teams
Students – Contact the Student Technology Help Desk (STHD) at 305-284-8887 or sthd@miami.edu. Technical Support:
Faculty and Staff – Contact the IT Service Desk at 305-284-6565 or help@miami.edu.Back to Top