December 2024
Closing the Books on Fall Courses
The semester is winding down, but we know instructors still have a lot of work to close the books on fall courses. Here are our quick tips for end-of-semester success:
- Student Information Systems has online guides to help with many Enroll & Pay tasks, including “Grades Import from Canvas to Enroll & Pay,” “Uploading Grades from a File,” “Printing Pages in Enroll & Pay” and more.
If you need help with Canvas, or have other questions and challenges, contact our Educational Technologists at 785-864-2600 or itedtech@ku.edu. - Additional support and guides are available from Canvas.
Looking ahead to Spring
If you’re planning to get an early start on spring courses, we’ll be here to help over Winter Break.
- The Center for Online and Distance Learning can support you in creating engaging and accessible online class content through instructional design, media production and exam proctoring.
- KU IT Educational Technologists can help you create courses in Canvas, or provide help with enhancing your existing Canvas courses.
'Tis the Season to Secure New Gadgets
With the holidays fast approaching, many may soon have shiny new tech toys. Smart watches, tablets and internet-connected devices make great gifts; however, these gadgets also give hackers more targets if left unsecured.
As you prepare to set up the latest gadgets this holiday season, be proactive about device safety. Before linking any new device to a network or personal account, be sure to activate security features, create strong passwords and install software updates.
Maintaining cyber vigilance doesn’t end with the holidays, it’s an everyday necessity. Stay tuned for more cyber safety tips to ensure your newest tech toys bring joy, not vulnerability. For more resources on taking cybersecurity precautions, visit the KU IT Security page.
Stay Connected to KU: Access Files and Eduroam Wi-Fi While Away
Heading out of town for Winter Break? Whether you're traveling for work or leisure, you can stay connected to your KU resources. First, make sure you have the KU Anywhere VPN installed on your computer. Additionally, save your important documents to OneDrive for Business, SharePoint or Teams, and those files will be available anywhere you have an internet connection.
For seamless internet access on the go, use Eduroam Wi-Fi, available at thousands of institutions worldwide. Simply log in with your KU Online ID (formatted as "onlineID@home.ku.edu") to connect to Eduroam wherever you are. Check the U.S. locations map or the International locations map to see if there’s an eduroam network available where you’re traveling. For more information, visit our Eduroam Knowledge Base page.
Online Safety Tips for Travel
Whether you’re traveling across the country or around the world this Winter Break, follow some simple technology travel tips to protect your data and your identity. Our top five travel tips:
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi, if possible. If you do connect to Wi-Fi in an airport or other public place, limit what you do while using it. Spotify, probably OK. Online banking and shopping, oh heck no!
- Use caution with USB-based public charging stations. “Juice jacking” attacks can install malware on your mobile device and/or copy data from your device. Instead, carry a personal power brick and use public USB charging station
- Be sure you have installed the latest updates on your device. An unpatched device increases your risk, especially when using public Wi-Fi.
- Consider turning on or purchasing tracking/device finder applications in case your laptop, tablet or phone is stolen.
- Keep your devices locked. Use a PIN or passcode to restrict access. Never leave devices unlocked when you’re not actively using them.
Visit itsecurity.ku.edu for information on protecting yourself and your data, whether at home, in your office or when traveling.
Tech Purchases now Require Review: Here’s Why
As technology evolves, so do the risks. KU’s new tech procurement policy ensures every purchase aligns with our goals for security, accessibility and efficiency. By reviewing tech purchases, we can protect sensitive data from cyber threats, foster inclusivity and make smarter use of resources.
Need tech help? Contact the IT Customer Service Center at 785-864-8080 or itcsc@ku.edu. Or, visit our walk-up location in Anschutz Library. Find hours and more on our IT support page.
