Technology Guide for Faculty

How Do I Get Help?

If you have a issue with your computer, Moodle course site, or any other technology service, or even if you want to schedule a consultation, please contact the Help Desk first. You can reach the Help Desk in two ways:

Why Should I Contact the Help Desk First?

  • Faster help: The Help Desk can solve many problems right away and is staffed 24/7.
  • Ticket tracking: The Help Desk creates a “ticket” for your problem. This ticket ensures your issue is fixed quickly and completely.
  • Problem spotting: Tickets help ITS see if many people are having similar problems. This can help identify larger technology issues across campus.

What Happens If the Help Desk Can’t Solve My Issue?

If the Help Desk can’t fix your issue immediately, they will send your ticket to the correct ITS team. An ITS team member will contact you to help solve the issue.

Your Lafayette account

New faculty members

Newly hired faculty members will receive Lafayette credentials and instructions for setting their password. Lafayette credentials are used to access email, Moodle, Self-Service Banner, wireless access, logging into public/classroom computers, and most other campus services.

Change your password

The Password Change Utility allows you to change or reset your Lafayette password.

If you haven’t already, you should:

  1. Read ITS guidelines regarding strong passwords, then think of a new one.
  2. Change your password

Update your recovery email address

If you forget your password, you need a recovery email address associated with your NetID to reset your password. The password change utility allows you to manage your recovery email.

Using two-step login

Two-step login adds an extra layer of security to your Lafayette NetID. It protects your account when you log into campus applications that use single sign-on (SSO).

Access to services

Do I need different accounts for email and other services?

Lafayette creates your username, called a NetID, when you join the College. Your NetID and password are your Lafayette credentials. They give you access to your email, Moodle courses, and payroll or class information in Self-Service Banner. You will rarely need any other account.

To find and open all of these services in one place, log into the My Lafayette portal. Also, learn how to customize My Lafayette.

What is Self-Service Banner?

Through Self-Service Banner, faculty can access class lists and student academic information, submit final grades, and view personal employment information. Self-Service Banner is accessible through the My Lafayette portal or by visiting selfservice.lafayette.edu. Contact the Office of the Registrar for questions related to accessing course and student information in Self-Service Banner.

What is Moodle, and how can I get help using it?

Lafayette uses Moodle as its online learning management system. Instructors use Moodle to share course syllabi, host class discussions, collect assignments, and give quizzes. The system creates course sites automatically and updates course rosters every hour.

The Learning and Research Technologies team can help instructors choose and use the best tools for their classes. To meet with an instructional technologist, email the Help Desk at help@lafayette.edu. You can also find guides and instructions online at help.lafayette.edu/moodle.

What is Google Workspace?

Google Workspace provides access to productivity and collaboration tools such as Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Chat, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms.

How do I set up a course website or personal website?

You can request a course website in addition to your Moodle course sites. A course website is useful if you want your students to write for a class blog or publish their work online.

You can also request a personal website. A personal site is a great places to share your biography, CV, teaching history, and research projects.

How do I access my email?

Use your Lafayette credentials to log in to Gmail or the My Lafayette portal. More information about using Gmail can be found at Getting Started With Gmail.

Can I set up my Lafayette email, contacts, and calendar on my smartphone?

Yes, ITS recommends accessing email and calendar via the native Gmail and Google Calendar apps available for iOS and Android. Learn more about accessing email, contacts, and calendars.

How do I create, store, and share files within Google Drive

You can create and store files in Google Drive and work collaboratively on all Google Docs types (e.g., Docs, Sheets, Slides). You can access Google Drive from the My Lafayette portal in the “My Google Workspace” block. Learn more about getting started using Google Drive.

Can I get to library resources from off-campus?

You can use library resources (e.g., online journals) from off-campus by starting at the library website. As long as you click the resource links directly from the library website, everything will work. If prompted, enter your Lafayette credentials to log in.

How can I use a virtual private network (VPN) to run applications generally restricted to on-campus use?

Some Lafayette applications only work when you are connected to the campus network. If you are away from campus, you can use the VPN to make your computer act like it is on the campus network. This allows employees and students to use these restricted applications from home or while traveling.

To install and use the VPN, follow these step-by-step VPN instructions.

Does Lafayette have a high-performance computing cluster to help me with my research?

Yes! As a small liberal arts college, Lafayette is uniquely positioned to have a high-performance computing (HPC) cluster. A number of software packages are installed on the HPC, which is supported by the Research and HPC team. Learn more about HPC at Lafayette and support available to you.

Software and Labs

What software is licensed by Lafayette?

The College provides licenses for a wide variety of software packages. If your teaching or research requires an application not installed on your office or classroom computer, please contact the Help Desk at (610) 330-5501 or at help@lafayette.edu.

Where are public and teaching computer labs on campus?

Skillman Library houses the primary public PC and Mac labs, both of which offer a similar set of tools for creating and editing digital content in a variety of formats.

A virtual computer lab experience also is available through Amazon AppStream from anywhere with a browser.

Pardee 28 serves as the primary teaching computer lab. As such, it is scheduled through the Registrar, though requests can be made through Scheduling and Events Planning for ad hoc class meetings or events when the room is not being used for teaching. ITS also manages a teaching video lab in 248 N. Third St. on the Arts Campus, which serves as a public lab during the day when classes are not in session. In addition, certain departments or programs (e.g., Engineering, Biology, etc.) have computer labs that are meant primarily as a teaching space for that department or for use by its students.

Can I install software on lab and/or classroom computers?

All computers in public labs and classrooms are configured in such a way that restores the computer to its original state when it’s restarted. If you install an application or save files to one of these computers, they will be erased at reboot. If your teaching requires an application that is not already installed on a classroom or lab computer, please contact the Help Desk at help@lafayette.edu or (610) 330-5501.

Training and Resources for Teaching

Can I get help with course projects or materials that require the use of technology?

Yes, you are encouraged to collaborate with an instructional technologist for any course project or assignment using technology, including multimedia projects. We can also help connect you with other campus resources (e.g., reference librarians, College Writing Program). Contact the Help Desk at help@lafayette.edu to set up a consultation with an instructional technologist.

Is multimedia equipment available for use?

Equipment is available from the Skillman Library circulation desk that includes digital cameras, tripods, audio recording kits, microphones, and external hard drives.  Search “itech” in the library catalog for a complete list of available equipment.

In addition. podcast studios are available in Skillman Library. Contact the Help Desk (help@lafayette.edu) if you would like to schedule a demonstration of the podcast studio or any of the equipment available from circulation.

How can I get training and support for using the "smart classroom?"

Can I get additional hardware for my teaching or research?

Equipment in support of faculty teaching and research is purchased from an assortment of College budget lines managed by different offices. Contact the Help Desk (help@lafayette.edu) to arrange a consultation.

Is training available for software and hardware?

Yes, Learning and Research Technologies (LRT) offers training sessions throughout the academic year. LRT can also meet with you individually or with your students to review or demonstrate software and hardware.

Security

Does the College provide software to protect my computer from viruses and malware?

Yes, ITS equips all College-owned computers with endpoint protection.

How does the College mitigate spam and phishing emails?

All incoming email is checked for spam, phishing schemes, and harmful attachments. For additional information on spam and phishing, see:

Additional Security Resources and Information

Please see the Security and Privacy help page.

Tagged in: