Alliant Faculty Computer Distribution - 2022
Announcement:
Our goal is to ensure that each of our faculty members have sufficient technology to support instruction. In efforts to modernize our tools for teaching and learning, and in alignment with our roll-out of Canvas Companion and our significant growth in online/distance learning, we are pleased that we have additional funds to invest in academic technology.
Every core faculty member who either teaches in an online Canvas Supported program or who is utilizing Canvas as a “companion” to support teaching and learning in an on-ground course is eligible to trade in their existing Alliant laptop or desktop computer and receive a new laptop computer.
If you have already met the requirements and want to skip the FAQs, please select Request a New System
Every core faculty member who either teaches in an online Canvas Supported program or who is utilizing Canvas as a “companion” to support teaching and learning in an on-ground course is eligible to trade in their existing Alliant laptop or desktop computer and receive a new laptop computer.
If you have already met the requirements and want to skip the FAQs, please select Request a New System
FAQ:
Are there prerequisites on my part before I can receive a new system?
If you are a faculty member teaching on-ground courses and have not yet explored Canvas Companion, we have focused resources and training opportunities to support you in your first effort to qualify you for a new laptop computer. To qualify, core faculty would have one course utilizing Canvas Companion to:
These are required to obtain the new technology. If you have not yet had an opportunity to add this functionality to your courses, the following are several brief videos/tutorials that can help guide you:
For online faculty, the new technology will support your ability to provide the required and recommended instructional design elements associated with these courses.
For those faculty who do not choose to incorporate Canvas Companion, we will ensure you have a working Windows 10 laptop computer to support Zoom, email, word processing, and statistical packages.
Additional documentation and resources can be found on the IT Help website: https://ithelp.alliant.edu
General information on the use of Canvas Companion (for on-ground faculty) can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpJ3jT5oSR0
Additional documentation and resources for working in Canvas (online) and Canvas (on-ground/Companion) can be found on the IT Help website: Canvas Companion
I use my personal computer, can I opt out of receiving a new system?
Alliant related work should be conducted on an Alliant owned and supported computer.
What equipment can I expect with my new system?
A new Dell laptop i5 Gen 11, 16GB RAM, SSD w/built-in camera and audio, Dell 27” hi-definition display w/ HDMI cable and power adapters.
Can I request different and/or additional equipment?
If your position and associated job responsibilities require other, or additional technology, please ensure that a budget review along with approval has been performed with your supervisor. Requests should be submitted for review and consideration by the IT department in conjunction with the Provost's Office. Professional Development or Grant funding is not typically to be used for these purposes. To submit an request, please select this online form link Technology Support Request.
What software will be installed on my new system?
Windows 10 Professional/Enterprise, Microsoft 365 Application suite; (Access, Excel, OneDrive, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Teams, Word), Zoom and utility software; 7Zip, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Cylance PROTECT, Google, Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, VLC media player, and bundled Windows accessories.
How do I obtain SPSS?
An SPSS download and license code can be obtained by submitting a request form. Details as well as a link to the online request form are available here: SPSS
How do I obtain NVivo?
An NVivo download and license code can be obtained by submitting a request to the IT Helpdesk. Details as well as a link to the online request form are available here: NVivo
Can I request additional software?
If your position and associated job responsibilities require specific software that is not currently licensed and available to Alliant personnel, please ensure that a budget review has been performed with and approval given by your supervisor. Requests should be submitted for review and consideration by the IT department in conjunction with the Provost's Office. Professional Development or Grant funding is not typically to be used for these purposes. To submit an request, please select this online form link Technology Support Request.
What will be done with any data on my old computer?
You should move local computer stored data to either your School’s SharePoint site (shared academic data) or to OneDrive (data pertaining only to you).
How to copy your files to OneDrive (video)
It is recommended you save your bookmarks to OneDrive.
How to Export and Save your Chrome Bookmarks
How to Export and Save your Firefox Bookmarks
If you use Internet Explorer as your preferred browser, please refer to: Move your Favorites from Internet Explorer.
Desktop shortcuts
If you are not familiar with creating desktop shortcuts, please take a screenshot and IT can assist with adding shortcuts you are accustomed to using to your new computer.
Are there prerequisites on my part before I can receive a new system?
If you are a faculty member teaching on-ground courses and have not yet explored Canvas Companion, we have focused resources and training opportunities to support you in your first effort to qualify you for a new laptop computer. To qualify, core faculty would have one course utilizing Canvas Companion to:
- Post syllabi, readings, and a quiz or exam if applicable.
- Set up assignments and point values in grade book
These are required to obtain the new technology. If you have not yet had an opportunity to add this functionality to your courses, the following are several brief videos/tutorials that can help guide you:
For online faculty, the new technology will support your ability to provide the required and recommended instructional design elements associated with these courses.
For those faculty who do not choose to incorporate Canvas Companion, we will ensure you have a working Windows 10 laptop computer to support Zoom, email, word processing, and statistical packages.
Additional documentation and resources can be found on the IT Help website: https://ithelp.alliant.edu
General information on the use of Canvas Companion (for on-ground faculty) can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpJ3jT5oSR0
Additional documentation and resources for working in Canvas (online) and Canvas (on-ground/Companion) can be found on the IT Help website: Canvas Companion
I use my personal computer, can I opt out of receiving a new system?
Alliant related work should be conducted on an Alliant owned and supported computer.
What equipment can I expect with my new system?
A new Dell laptop i5 Gen 11, 16GB RAM, SSD w/built-in camera and audio, Dell 27” hi-definition display w/ HDMI cable and power adapters.
Can I request different and/or additional equipment?
If your position and associated job responsibilities require other, or additional technology, please ensure that a budget review along with approval has been performed with your supervisor. Requests should be submitted for review and consideration by the IT department in conjunction with the Provost's Office. Professional Development or Grant funding is not typically to be used for these purposes. To submit an request, please select this online form link Technology Support Request.
What software will be installed on my new system?
Windows 10 Professional/Enterprise, Microsoft 365 Application suite; (Access, Excel, OneDrive, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Teams, Word), Zoom and utility software; 7Zip, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Cylance PROTECT, Google, Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, VLC media player, and bundled Windows accessories.
How do I obtain SPSS?
An SPSS download and license code can be obtained by submitting a request form. Details as well as a link to the online request form are available here: SPSS
How do I obtain NVivo?
An NVivo download and license code can be obtained by submitting a request to the IT Helpdesk. Details as well as a link to the online request form are available here: NVivo
Can I request additional software?
If your position and associated job responsibilities require specific software that is not currently licensed and available to Alliant personnel, please ensure that a budget review has been performed with and approval given by your supervisor. Requests should be submitted for review and consideration by the IT department in conjunction with the Provost's Office. Professional Development or Grant funding is not typically to be used for these purposes. To submit an request, please select this online form link Technology Support Request.
What will be done with any data on my old computer?
You should move local computer stored data to either your School’s SharePoint site (shared academic data) or to OneDrive (data pertaining only to you).
How to copy your files to OneDrive (video)
It is recommended you save your bookmarks to OneDrive.
How to Export and Save your Chrome Bookmarks
- Open Chrome and click the icon with three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
- Then hover over Bookmarks. ...
- Next, click Bookmark manager. ...
- Then click the icon with three vertical dots. ...
- Next, click Export Bookmarks. ...
- Finally, choose a name and destination and click Save.
How to Export and Save your Firefox Bookmarks
- Click on the menu button to open the menu panel. Click Bookmarks and then click the Manage Bookmarks bar at the bottom.
- From the toolbar on the Library window, click Import and Backup and choose Export Bookmarks to HTML… from the drop-down menu.
- In the Export Bookmarks File window that opens, choose a location to save the file, which is named bookmarks.html by default.
- Click the Save button. The Export Bookmarks File window will close.
- Close the Library window.
If you use Internet Explorer as your preferred browser, please refer to: Move your Favorites from Internet Explorer.
Desktop shortcuts
If you are not familiar with creating desktop shortcuts, please take a screenshot and IT can assist with adding shortcuts you are accustomed to using to your new computer.
- Close or minimize all open applications
- Your entire Windows desktop should now be available, select the Print Screen key on your keyboard
- Open a blank page in Word
- Right mouse-click and then select Paste
- Save the document to your OneDrive and name it Desktop Shortcuts.
I have met the requirements, how do I arrange to receive a new system?
Please submit an IT Request Form and an IT staff member will contact you soon thereafter to make arrangements with you.
- Submit a request form using this link IT Request Form
- For question 1, Assistance needed: select Hardware/Equipment support, then select Next
- For question 2, What hardware/equipment issue may we assist with?: select Laptop
- For question 3, Specific issue description: enter Technology Upgrade
- For question 4, This incident has impacted the following: select None of the above
- For question 5, leave blank
- For question 6, Please select the correct request type... select This is a general technology support request, then select Next
- For question 7, leave blank
- For question 8, leave blank, and then select Next
- For question 9, Is this request for you or someone else?: select Myself, and then select Submit
What if I cannot come to campus to exchange equipment?
Arrangements will be made to ship the new equipment to your residence. Return shipping labels will be provided to send your current equipment back.
Can I keep my original system?
No. We plan is to eliminate outdated laptops and desktop computers altogether. Adequate laptops and displays will be used to upgrade staff systems wherever possible.
