Instructional Technology Guides for Students
Step 1: Run the OEI Computer readiness test.
The Computer Readiness Test will test your current browser for plugins and versions to help you navigate general websites. You might not need everything included in this test, but its most important to check your Operating System, Browsers, and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Step 2: Download Microsoft Office & Adobe Acrobat Reader, if you don’t already have them.
If you doing already have the Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel), you might want to download them for free from the Microsoft website.
It might also be helpful to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing PDFs.
Step 3: Double check the computer specifications for Canvas.
This is a list of basic computer system requirements to use Canvas. It is always recommended to use the most up-to-date versions. Canvas will still run with the minimum specifications, but you may experience slower loading times.
Step 4: Check which browsers Canvas supports.
Because it’s built using web standards, Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser. However, Canvas does not support Internet Explorer, so you’ll want to make sure you download either Firefox or Google Chrome, if you don’t already have them installed on your computer.
Additional Resources
- Canvas Mobile Guides – Canvas has mobile apps for iOS and Android devices!
- Test Your Internet Speed
- TIP: If your browser is running slow, or you’re having trouble logging in, you might try clearing your browser’s cache.
Step 1: Review the OEI Online Readiness Tutorials.
Step 2: Review these tips for being successful in online courses.
- Commit to a schedule
- Schedule three hours of online time and six hours of assignment time per week for online courses. Be realistic when signing up for online courses
- Balance academic and personal commitments. Study during your prime time.
- Avoid putting off online coursework until you have completed everything else.
- Study when you are most alert and benefit the most from learning. Attend mandatory orientations or campus meetings for classes that are Hybrid.
- Realize that when the instructor says the orientation is mandatory, she or he has a reason. Honor assignment due dates
- Pay attention to due dates posted by the instructor. If you post late, you may get less credit or no credit.
- Commit to the online class community
- Participate in online discussions to a help create a dynamic online community which replaces classroom discussion Be a “squeaky wheel” when unmotivated or procrastinating or need help.
- Email instructor immediately for missed work, extra feedback, anticipated absences or other problems.
- Read carefully and follow all printed instructions for every lesson. Print out and check off completed tasks.
- Have your computer and textbook ready before class starts
- Secure a home computer with Internet access. Have a computer contingency plan as well.
- Purchase the textbook early. You will have to find another solution if there is a delay in getting the textbook.
- Read the course overview module, before starting class.
Step 1: Understand Netiquette
In this online course, you will interact with your instructor and your peers often. During these interactions, you are encouraged to think about netiquette, which is a mashup of the words “internet” and “etiquette.” In all situations, its important that we all treat one another with respect, trust, and collegiality. Below we’ve presented a visual adaptation of the Core Rules of Netiquette. A universally accessible text version of this image is available at Netiquette Text.
How to Access Canvas
Go to https://reachinst.instructure.com/and log in with your Reach student email and your Canvas password.
Your First Time Logging In
If this is your first time logging into Canvas at Reach, you can go to https://reachinst.instructure.com/ and click on Forgot Password? at the bottom. Enter your Reach student email and then a password reset email will be sent there where you can choose your password. After you’ve chosen your password, return to the login page and login with your student email and your new password.
Get Familiar with Canvas
If you’ve never used Canvas before, you can learn more about Canvas from the Canvas Student Guides.
Need Help with Canvas?
- Have you checked out the Canvas Student Guides?
- When logged into Canvas, click on “help” located in the left margin to access the Helpline.
- Phone: 877-308-9004
- Live chat with Canvas support: https://bit.ly/
studentcanvassupport
Canvas Guide Translations
- Spanish Canvas Guides
- Chinese Canvas Guides
- Danish Canvas Guides
- Swedish Canvas Guides
- Norwegian Canvas Guides
- Dutch Canvas Guides
- Brazilian Portuguese Canvas Guides
- French Canvas Guides
- Welsh Canvas Guides
Additional Resources
Logging in to Zoom
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Step 1 – Create Your Zoom Account: To sign up for your own free account, visit zoom.us/signup and enter your email address. You will receive an email from Zoom (no-reply@zoom.us). In this email, click Activate Account.
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Step 2 – Sign In to Your Account Online: You can login to your Zoom account on the web at any time to access your profile and other settings, at zoom.us/signin. Once you’re logged in, use the panel on the left side to navigate the Zoom web portal. You can update your profile, schedule a meeting, edit your settings, and more.
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Step 3 – Download Zoom: You can download the Zoom Desktop Client for Mac, Windows, ChromeOS and Linux, as well as the Zoom Mobile App for iOS and Android from our Downloads page.
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Step 4 – Join a Meeting: There are many ways to join a meeting,but the easiest way is to click the join link that your instructor has provided. You might also be able to click on Zoom on the left of your Canvas course and click Join next to the meeting you’d like to join. You can also click Join in your Zoom client and enter the meeting ID. Before you have your first class meeting on Zoom, you might join a test meeting to get set up and test things out.
Getting Help with Zoom
Reach Student Email Guides (Gmail)
- Forwarding Your Student Email to Your Personal Email
- Sending Email (4 minutes)
- Responding to Email (4 minutes)
- Managing Email (3 minutes)
Google Drive Guides
Google Drive is a great way to store and organize all of your files and access them from anywhere. If you’re new to Google Drive, or would like more information, check out the guides below:
Google Docs Guides
You can use Google Docs just like Microsoft Word, to write essays and put together assignments for your courses. The best part is that Google Docs save automatically, so you don’t have to worry about losing your work, or forgetting to save.
Google Sheets Guides
How to Submit Turnitin Assignments & Access Reports