Faculty and staff at NOVA have access to many technology tools. The IT Help Desk, the Extended Learning Institute (ELI), and the Technology Applications Center (TAC) provide college-wide support in addition to campus-based support. Use this handout to discover how to access and use many of the technology tools NOVA provides. Be sure to see the new items added this year! How to find your VCCS username, password, and emplid to access NOVAConnect and Blackboard Go to http://nvcc.my.vccs.edu OR click the My NOVA button on the NOVA homepage to access the Student Information System (NOVAConnect), Blackboard and student email. IMPORTANT use your VCCS username and password to logon to classroom computers. Remember, your VCCS login and password are for accessing NOVAConnect, Blackboard, student email and classroom computers. You use your NOVA username and password to access Faculty-Staff email and your office computer. How to change your VCCS password Go to http://nvcc.my.vccs.edu OR click the My NOVA button on the NOVA homepage, enter your username and password, select Change My Password from the Welcome page choices. How to log into: Faculty/Staff NOVA Email. Click on Outlook from your Start button on your work computer and enter your NOVA username and password. See the college email guidelines on the IT Help Desk website (http://www.nvcc.edu/ithd). Faculty/Staff Webmail Click Faculty and Staff on the NOVA website and then click on the icon to access your NOVA Faculty-Staff email from home through Webmail. You can also use the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client to access email (see the next item): Remote Access from Home (including access to email). Click on Working Remotely under For Faculty and Staff on the IT Help Desk website (http://www.nvcc.edu/ithd). VCCS Student Email All faculty also have an account on the VCCS student email system. Click My NOVA on the NOVA homepage OR log into http://nvcc.my.vccs.edu (NOTE: THIS IS NOT YOUR OFFICIAL NOVA Faculty-Staff EMAIL ACCOUNT). Blackboard Access Click My NOVA on the NOVA homepage OR go to http://nvcc.my.vccs.edu OR http://learn.vccs.edu NOVAConnect (SIS) Access Go to http://nvcc.my.vccs.edu OR the My NOVA button on the NOVA homepage. NOVAConnect Tutorials Click Faculty and Staff on the NOVA homepage and then click NOVAConnect in the Tools column on that landing page.
Blackboard Collaborate (formerly enova/emeeting) Go to http://www.nvcc.edu/tac and view the Blackboard Collaborate tab on that landing page. In addition to online courses, some faculty use the Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Web Classroom for real-time class meetings or office hours. There is now a link to Blackboard Collaborate from within each class site on Blackboard. NOVA Network The LAN id and password act as your login id for campus computers. The domain should be set to nvcc. It also allows you to log into your web account and access your official NOVA email. To find your LAN id and password use the IT Help Desk link near the bottom of the NOVA Homepage and click on Network Accounts under the For Faculty/Staff submenu on the right. Professional Web Page Go to http://www.nvcc.edu/home/youruseraddress (the part before the @ sign in your email address) This is a link for faculty to access their web page. For more information, visit the Web Folder Access link from the IT Help Desk site (http://www.nvcc.edu/ithd). Where to get HELP with login problems and other IT related concerns Contact the NOVA IT Help Desk by phone at (703) 426-4141, by email at ithelpdesk@nvcc.edu, or by the link for the IT Help Desk on the bottom of the NOVA homepage. You can also use the Live Chat option. The IT Help Desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Where to get help using NOVAConnect, email, Blackboard, the Blackboard Collaborate and other resources Go to the Technology Applications Center (TAC) website at http://www.nvcc.edu/tac for a wide variety of tutorials and resources (on Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate, and other software). Atomic Learning 24 hour virtual training for software is also available and links can be added to your website for student use. Also use the link to the IT Help Desk at the bottom of the NOVA homepage for answers to frequently asked questions and other resources. Technical Support for Blackboard Collaborate is available by phone (703)764-5051) and email (elisupport@nvcc.edu). For NOVAConnect help and tutorials, click Faculty & Staff on the NOVA homepage and NOVAConnect under Tools on that landing page. How to connect to wireless on campus Wireless is available throughout all NOVA campuses. Follow the directions for Wireless LAN on the IT Help Desk website for the correct security settings so your wireless card can connect. Follow the link to the IT Help Desk at the bottom of the NOVA homepage and click on Wireless Network under the For Faculty/Staff submenu on the right. Where to get help with the NOVA phone system and Voicemail Use the link to the IT Help Desk at the bottom of the NOVA homepage. Then look under the For Faculty/Staff submenu on the right and click Phone System. There are instructions/tutorials for using the phone system features, including Voice Mail and Meet-Me conference calls for up to 20 participants. There is also an online phone system workshop at http://www.nvcc.edu/phonetraining. Where to get help with IT Security Issues Every employee is to complete the state-required IT Security Awareness training once a year. You will receive an email when it is time to retake it. If you do not complete it by the deadline, your accounts will be locked. Specific IT security questions or concerns should be addressed to the IT Help Desk by phone at (703) 426-4141 or by email at ithelpdesk@nvcc.edu.
Recognize SPAM in your email (very important)!! Do not EVER send your personal information like a password or social security number through email. No matter how legitimate the email looks, or how scary they make the consequences sound (like losing your email), never send it. The only ones to ask you to send personal information in an email or enter it on an email form are criminals. What software is available for use at home All faculty and staff have free use of Symantec anti-virus software on their home computer(s). Login at http://nvcc.my.vccs.edu or click the My NOVA button on the NOVA homepage, and then click on Blackboard. The link to the free software is under the NOVA tab. There may also be limited copies on CD for checkout at campus libraries. The college does not support remote access to email from products other than Microsoft Outlook Webmail or through Remote Access as described under Working Remotely under For Faculty and Staff on the IT Help Desk website. Click Faculty & Staff on the NOVA website and then click on the icon to access your NOVA email from home or off-campus. The college licenses for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office do not allow faculty and staff to use this software on their home computer(s). You can purchase Microsoft Office inexpensively using the link for software on the IT Help Desk page. Faculty have free access to Respondus for entering entire tests into Blackboard, SoftChalk or Study Mate for developing interactive activities, Lockdown Browser, and Impatica for formatting PowerPoint presentations for Blackboard. For information about accessing this software click My NOVA button on the NOVA homepage and then click on Blackboard. Under the TEACH tab at the top of the page, you will find download and tutorial information. Faculty and staff have access to Adobe Creative Suite for home use and on their college computer. See the Software link on the IT Help Desk Website. Faculty also have access to AutoDesk and GIS software. Contact the Technology Applications Center (TAC) for details. The free online learning materials repository, MERLOT, can be found at www.merlot.org. Faculty can also refer their students to Tutor.com. How to print from Mobile Devices or Save and Share Large Files: You can use cloud services to print from your mobile phone, tablet or personal computer. For directions, follow the IT Help Desk link (http://www.nvcc.edu/ithd) at the bottom of NOVA s home page, choose For Faculty and Staff on the right side of the page, then click on the link for Cloud Printing & Storage. Students can use this instead of FTP when they have large homework files to submit. Where to find online and workshop software training Go to the Technology Applications Center web site at http://www.nvcc.edu/tac. Click on the Training link on the menu at left. Also check all the online training available through Atomic Learning link on that landing page.
How to find and access online library resources: Follow the link to Faculty & Staff from NOVA s home page, then use the link to Libraries under Faculty Services. How to find online courses and distance learning resources Online courses are offered at NOVA through the Extended Learning Institute. Follow the link to Academics or Current Students. Then click Distance Learning. You can also access the distance learning website directly at http://eli.nvcc.edu. How to find an online list of the textbooks used in your courses On the NOVA homepage, click on Bookstore under the Current Students submenu on the right. Choose your campus and click on textbooks at the top of the page. ELI students use the Alexandria Bookstore. Where to find phone numbers Click Directories and Offices on the bottom of the NOVA homepage. Many numbers for faculty and staff are also available by using the Directories button on college telephones. How to make toll-free calls within Virginia After you hear a dial-tone, dial *60, and then the ten-digit phone number (area code and number). This does not work for calls to cell phones. See other campus dialing information on the IT Help Desk web page link to Phone System. The NOVA toll free number for incoming calls from outside the local calling area: (877) 408-2028 (toll free). How to participate in VCCS conference calls After you hear a dial-tone, dial *60, and then the ten-digit phone number (area code and number) provided for the conference call these begin with an 814 area code. You cannot dial this as a regular phone number from off campus. Directions for participating from off campus are available on the IT Help Desk web page (Click on For Faculty & Staff on the right side of the page, click on Phone System, click on Conference Calls for More Than 3 Participants). Where to find out if the College is closed or delayed because of weather Weather-related closing or delay information is sent as a text message to your cell phone if you sign up for NovaAlert (http://alert.nvcc.edu), and is posted on NOVA s home page. Use the link to Closings & Emergencies at the bottom of NOVA s home page to links to other media websites that list College closing and delay information. Remember to receive text messages you must sign up for NOVA Alert at http://alert.nvcc.edu. How to order College Software All software has to be ordered through Media Processing Services (http://www.nvcc.edu/mps) and installed by IT staff. Arrangements for installing software can be made by submitting a request to the IT Help Desk. In the late Fall, faculty are able to request instructional software for use in the next academic year that will be purchased centrally through college Technology Plan funds. An announcement and procedures are distributed when those requests can be submitted.
How to Order College Computers, Printers, and other IT Equipment All IT Equipment should be requested through the campus or unit IT staff. Individuals should not go out on their own to order equipment. IT Staff are aware of college, VCCS, and state standards and requirements, as well as the required procedures and documentation. Computer and Software discounts for students, faculty, and staff HP, Dell and Apple offer substantial discounts on computers for NOVA students, faculty and staff. Go to the IT Help Desk on the bottom of the NOVA homepage and click Computer Purchases under For Students and For Faculty and Staff. Substantial discounts on software, including Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, are available online through the NOVA Bookstore and other special offers. Follow the link to software under For Students and For Faculty and Staff on the IT Help Desk website. NOVA students, faculty and staff can also shop at Patriot Computers, GMU s on-campus computer store. Click the IT Help Desk on the bottom of the NOVA homepage, and then click on the link for Computer Purchases under Students to find a link to GMU s Computer Store. AT & T,Verizon, and Sprint offer wireless discounts to faculty and staff. Use the Wireless Discounts link on the IT Help Desk website or visit the Virginia Department of Human Resources website at http://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeediscounts.html. Where to get advice on what kind of personal computer to buy Click on IT Help Desk on the bottom of the NOVA homepage; then use the link for Computer Purchases under Students to see computer suggestions for students. There is useful information on what other colleges recommend for their faculty, staff and students. The current minimum configuration for faculty and staff computers purchased by the college can be found on the Office of Instructional & Information Technology website under Minimum Computer Specifications at http://www.nvcc.edu/oit. Choose PCs & Software in the submenu of Learn More. Some offices upgrade from these minimums. Where to find other help with software and other technology tools and resources. Click on Technology under For Faculty and Staff or under Current Students on the NOVA homepage. Produced by the Office of Instructional and Information Technology http://www.nvcc.edu/technology August 2012