Study and Work from Home
The global spread of COVID-19 resulted in the need to adjust to having to study and work from home. If you’re new to studying or working remotely, we’ve compiled some resources to make it easier for you to accomplish your tasks. We also included some Frequently Asked Questions with links to our self-help articles.
For the latest information on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) for the Algonquin College community, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/coronavirus website. It includes prevention tips, an FAQ covering common questions students and employees might have, and links to key resources.
Resources for learners from Student Support Services to help with transitioning to online learning: https://www.algonquincollege.com/studentsupportservices/student-learning-kit/
Resources for faculty from Algonquin College’s Learning and Teaching Services at their Academic Continuity website: https://www.algonquincollege.com/lts/virtual-teaching/academic-continuity/teach-remotely/
Resources for Employees from Human Resources Department: https://www.algonquincollege.com/coronavirus/employees/
Guide to Protecting Learner and Employee Information While Working Remotely off Campus
Zoom Privacy and Security Guidelines
Remote Work Checklist from Information Technology Services
If you are working or studying remotely, use this checklist to ensure that you have the necessary and properly configured equipment to be successful.
Minimum Technical Requirements
The following are minimum technical requirements for learning and working remotely:
| Requirement | Windows-based PC | Apple Mac/macOS-based PC |
| Operating System | Windows 10 | macOS X |
| Web Browser | Current version of Firefox or Google Chrome | Current version of Firefox, Google Chrome or Safari |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 based model | Intel Core i5 based model |
| RAM/Memory | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Internet Connectivity | High speed Broadband Internet Connection
Test your Internet speed using speedtest.net Recommended Internet speeds:
Ethernet or WiFi; available USB port(s) to accommodate recommended accessories Please see the Internet Troubleshooting Guide for additional information. |
High speed Broadband Internet Connection
Test your Internet speed using speedtest.net Recommended Internet speeds:
Ethernet or WiFi; available USB port(s) to accommodate recommended accessories Please see the Internet Troubleshooting Guide for additional information. |
Determine which services you need to access remotely
Most faculty and staff services are accessible from a home Internet connection, using a web browser and/or specific software. Some services require a VPN connection.
It is very important that users of corporate laptops connect to the VPN regularly to get the latest updates provided by the system administrator. If you are using a personal device, ensure to update the antivirus software daily and to install all available updates regularly.
| Services that are accessible from a browser | Services that require a VPN connection |
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Set up your computer to work remotely
As part of ITS’ ongoing efforts to protect College information, it is very important that College owned computers are kept up to date with the latest operating system and security patch updates. These are automatically distributed to College owned computers that are connected to the network using the Virtual Private Networking (VPN) service.
Therefore, ITS requests that all employees connect their College owned computers to the network minimally once per week. Please log into VPN at the start of your work day and leave it connected until the end of your work day or until the session is automatically terminated 12 hours later.
If you do not have a College owned computer and are connecting using a personal computer for College business, please ensure you keep your computer updated regularly using Microsoft or Apple updates, as well as updates for any additional anti-virus you may be using; non college owned computers will not receive patches or security updates by connecting to the VPN service.
Set up your computer to connect to VPN. Follow the instructions on our website: https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/vpn-help/
Set up remote connection to your office computer. Follow instructions in the help article: How-to-remote-connect-to-your-office-computer
How to troubleshoot your internet connection: Internet Troubleshooting Guide
Learn how to keep your laptop clean: How to clean your Laptop
Manage your office phone
Using your network credentials, log into the Cisco Personal Assistant website to setup and check your Voicemail via Cisco Voicemail web interface: https://wooducn01.algonquincollege.com/ciscopca/home.do
Optional: Forward your desk phone to an alternate number by logging into the Unified Communications Self-care Portal using your network credentials: https://wooducmpub01.algonquincollege.com/ucmuser/
Optional: Request a soft phone:
Algonquin employees who are working remotely and require the use of a soft phone can request it by sending a request to ITS with the following information:
- Name:
- Username:
- Extension(s):
- Long Distance required (y/n): (if long distance is required, please attach Manager’s approval)
- Do you belong to Contact Centre (RO, ITS)? If so, which one?
Your request can be submitted via:
Webform: help.algonquincollege.com/webtocase
Email: 5555@algonquincollege.com
or
Phone: 613-727-4723 ext 5555
Once ITS receives the request, we will create a soft phone and work with you to configure it on your computer.
Connect to the services requiring VPN
Find out how to connect to the services you may need.
- Network drives, N: drive
- Salesforce
- Softphone (Jabber)
- Cisco Voicemail web interface
- Genesis
- Remote connection to your office computer
- Clockwork for employees via MyDesktop
- ACSAS
Connect to the services not requiring VPN
It is very important that users of corporate laptops connect to the VPN regularly to get the latest updates provided by the system administrator. If you are using a personal device, ensure to update the antivirus software daily and to install all available updates regularly.
Following services do not require VPN connection and can be accessed through your browser:
- Office 365 including Web Outlook, Office Applications, SharePoint, OneDrive and Teams
- Brightspace
- Library catalogue, online resources and datatbases
- Wordpress
- ACSIS – students
- ACSIS – staff
Communicate and Collaborate
Find out about access to tools and software that enable communication and collaboration for staff and students. Read more about Office365 on the Microsoft Office Support Website.
Find Zoom resources, Tips and Tricks and Troubleshooting Help: https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/zoom-resources/
Remote Teaching and Learning
Find resources at the Algonquin College Library: https://www.algonquincollege.com/library/
Find out more about tools and technology for remote teaching and learning from Learning and Teaching Services: https://www.algonquincollege.com/lts/academic-continuity/
Digital Learning Environment – Knowledge Base: https://www.algonquincollege.com/DLEKB/
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are some of the commonly asked questions related to working or studying remotely:
- Technical requirements for learning and working remotely
- How to keep your computer up-to-date when working remotely
- How to clean your Laptop
- How can I troubleshoot my Internet Connection?
- How do I configure my college email on my first login?
- How do I reset my email, network, or Brightspace password?
- How do employees connect to VPN?
- How do students connect to VPN?
- Zoom Resources
- What is Apps Anywhere?
- Where can I learn more about Microsoft Teams?
- Where can I learn more about Microsoft OneDrive?
- Where can I get help with Workday?
- How can staff request a soft phone?
Getting Help
Please visit our Support Community – for self help information regarding the services available.
Submit a request: http://help.algonquincollege.com/webtocase
Contact the ITS Service Desk. Review the following page for a list of locations at all campuses: https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/about-contact-its/#location