Tools & Resources
What tools are available to Faculty and Midshipmen for remote instruction?
There are many tools in USNA’s “toolbox.” that are available now to help facilitate this shift to distance learning. These include:
External
Do not use VPN / VDI.
Internal
Faculty / Staff - VPN Required
Midshipmen - VDI Required
Midshipmen - VDI Required
External
Blackboard (Learning Management System) - Blackboard is the Learning Management System used by the US Naval Academy for an online supplement to courses, providing a tool for faculty and staff organizations to document class structure, assignments, and media. See the USNA Blackboard Help Site for training.
Respondus LockDown Browser - Download the latest version of LockDown Browser
PLEASE DO NOT use the VPN/VDI to access Blackboard.
It is not required, and doing so detrimentally affects use of limited VPN/VDI resources for other users.
External
Panopto (Lecture Capture) - Panopto is a tool that can be used within or externally to Blackboard. There is also a desktop client for developing content available in the USNA Software Center ( see client download instructions here - Installation requires the VPN/VDI ) or can be downloaded from within Blackboard for personal computers. Here are some Panopto Video Tutorials. This Blackboard Integration video shows how to use Panopto within Blackboard.
External
The entire GSuite application including:
It is not required, and doing so detrimentally affects use of limited VPN/VDI resources for other users.
- Google Hangouts Meet (Video and Teleconferencing) - Hangouts Meet can be used for conducting classes or meetings via audio or video. See Google's Training Site for more information.
Please note: In order to minimize bandwidth, users who are not presenting should turn off their cameras by pressing the video button at the bottom of the Hangouts screen.
- Google Classroom (Learning Management System) - See Google Classroom Training for more information. Faculty who desire a Google Classroom account should follow these instructions
- Google Drive
It is not required, and doing so detrimentally affects use of limited VPN/VDI resources for other users.
Internal
Cascade CMS / USNA Website Editing - Utilize Cascade CMS to edit existing sites. See the Cascade CMS Help site for training. Please note that the VPN or VDI is required to use Cascade CMS from off the Yard.
