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Faculty & Staff FAQs

Azure Dev Tools For Teaching

How do I get an account to login to Azure Dev Tools for Teaching (formerly Microsoft Imagine)?

Microsoft Imagine is now Azure Dev Tools for Teaching

If you are currently registered in a technology course, you are eligible to download software from the Education Hub Store. Technology courses start with CIS, CSC, CST, ELM, ELT, ERG, and EUT.

Students sign in to the Azure portal with their Azure Dev Tools for Teaching credentials (Microsoft Account), open the Education Hub Store, and access the available software downloads.

Go to the Azure Dev Tools for Teaching Login Page

Click on the blue “Sign In” button

To Create an account, next to No Account? click Create One!

Note: Please use the email (Qmail) provided for your previous Microsoft Imagine subscription access when creating a new Microsoft Account.

What kind of software is available to download from Azure Dev Tools for Teaching?

You can download developer products like Visual Studio, operating systems like Windows 10, Windows Server, and other products like Microsoft Access, Microsoft Visio and Microsoft Project. You cannot download Microsoft Office.

Does Azure Dev Tools for Teaching include Microsoft Office?

No. Azure Dev Tools for Teaching doesn’t include Microsoft Office. It provides tools to expand the study of software development and testing. These tools include such technologies as Platform SDK, SQL Server, Visual Studio .NET, and Windows Server.

To obtain Microsoft Office for Free go to The Q

Scroll down the page to view and click on the link: Discounted Deals for QCC Students, Faculty & Staff

Note: you must login to the Q portal in order to go to the discounted deals page.

Blackboard

I sent an email to my instructor/student, but can't find it. Where is it?

Blackboard Learn doesn't keep a record of emails sent or received. To locate an email message you sent, do the following:

  • Student: Login to your Qmail account and check messages in the Sent folder

  • Faculty: Login to your QCC account and check messages in the Sent folder

As an instructor, which criteria should I use to design my newly-approved online or blended course?

 QCC's courses benefit when criteria established in the Quality Matters Rubric, 5th edition are used. QCC expects all online courses to meet this criteria.

How do I find and/or enable the Online Tutoring tool for students (formerly Smarthinking)?

We are no longer using Smarthinking at QCC, we have transitioned to ThinkingStorm as our online tutoring tool.  You can use the attached job aid to do either of the following in your Blackboard course:

  • Enable the "Online Tutoring" tool in your Blackboard course shell
  • Create a link to the new "Online Tutoring" tool, ThinkingStorm

Also be sure to hide or delete the old Smarthinking link in your course to avoid confusion for the students.

How Do I Set Up LockDown Browser and Monitor for my Blackboard Test?

For Students:

If your instructor has informed you that you need to download and install the Respondus LockDown Browser (and Monitor) to take a test, click here to access a job aid with the download link and instructions.

For additional details and information, you may download the Respondus Student Quick Guide by clicking here.

For Instructors:

If you are just getting started using Respondus LockDown Browser in Blackboard for testing, click here to access a job aid to assist you in the process.

For additional details and infomation, you may download the Repondus Instructor Quick Guide by clicking here.

Troubleshooting Tips:

Click here to review some common issues and troubleshooting tips.

Blackboard Collaborate

What is Blackboard Collaborate Ultra?

Collaborate Ultra is Blackboard’s online platform that creates a synchronous learning space for virtual classrooms and meetings with audio, video, and desktop sharing capacities. See Collaborate Ultra Video here.

To view and download a Blackboard Collaborate Student Guide, click here.

What should I know before using Blackboard Collaborate for the first time?

Before using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra for the first time, be sure to watch this short video  which will help you become proficient in using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Blackboard recommends using the Chrome browser with Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.

Does the Blackboard Collaborate mobile app have the same features as the desktop app?

No, the mobile app doesn't have the same features as the desktop app:

Available Web Conferencing Functions:

  • Viewing the Whiteboard.
  • Viewing an Application on another user's desktop.
  • Access to breakout rooms.
  • Sending and receiving chat messages with the entire room.
  • Listening to other speakers and speaking to the room.
  • Responding to polls.

Web Conferencing Functions not Available for Mobile Participants:

  • Private Chat
  • Live Video
  • Annotation on the Whiteboard
  • Moderator Controls
  • Recording Playback
  • Localizations
How can the moderator help participants who are using the Blackboard Collaborate mobile app?

Moderators must join the session from a desktop or laptop computer. Moderator tools are not available from a mobile device.

 

How can I get technical help with Blackboard Collaborate Ultra?

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra support is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

You can access our help by one of the following ways:

  1. You can use our Blackboard Help Knowledge Base to search for an answer to your question.
  2. You can get help by submitting a “help” ticket or through "chat" by clicking on Contact Technical Support.  
    1. To use “chat”, click on “Chat with Agent”.
    2. To create a help ticket, please "Create a case" and fill out the web form with as much information as possible.
  3. You can call the QCC Help Desk (508.854.4427) and follow the prompts for Blackboard Collaborate Help.
What are the accessibility features of Blackboard Collaborate?

Blackboard lists the accessibility features of Blackboard Collaborate Ultra on the Blackboard Collaborate Assistive Technology page.

Blackboard Mobile

As a teacher, I want to grade assignments on my iPad, can I do that?

Yes, we recently upgraded Blackboard to allow for instructors to grade assignments using an iPad.  Blackboard is working to increase the grading capabilities and make this available for other mobile devices.

You can find more information on the Bb Grader app at iTunes.

Do grades look the same to students on the Blackboard mobile app?

No, the students see a slightly different view of their grades when they look at them on the mobile app. You may want to have them check their My Grades area from a regular computer if they are confused by what they see in the mobile app. The main difference is that the mobile app has a percentage field in front of each item even if you assign points, not percentages, for their grade.

For example, a student takes quiz 1 worth 20 points and gets only 5 points. When they view this in My Grades on the mobile app, the first column will show 25% and the second column will show Quiz 1 points: 5/20. If they look at this same item on a regular computer, they would see Quiz 1 Grade 5.00/20 and there wouldn't be a percentage listed.

IT Service Desk

What is my username for The Q?
  • For new faculty/staff the first part of your email address is your username. Contact the Registrar’s Office.
  • To reset your password, enter your username and click on the "I forgot my password" link. A new password will be sent to your QCC email. If you are still having trouble, contact the IT Help Desk. Give them your name, your phone number, email address and a brief description of your problem. Do not send your password information.

Microsoft Office

What is Office 365?

Office 365 is a subscription based version of the Microsoft Office suite. It includes the latest full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher*, and Access* as well as cloud services and 1TB of OneDrive storage.

More information

 *Microsoft Publisher and Access for PC only.

Office 365

What is Office 365?

Office 365 is a subscription based version of the Microsoft Office suite. It includes the latest full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher*, and Access* as well as cloud services and 1TB of OneDrive storage.

More information

 *Microsoft Publisher and Access for PC only.

How do I Install Office 365? (Students/Staff/Faculty)

Click here to begin.  Select Student or Staff/Faculty tab, select the product you would like to download and Add to Cart.  The next step is to either Register or Login with your existing account.

For further help installing Office 365, please visit the Help section.  You may also call or email for support using the contact us link.

Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus Support

Email support     office-support [at] onthehub.com
  Typical response time: 1-2 business days
  Supported Languages: English
 
Phone support     1-855-561-4175 (Toll Free)
  Hours: Mon-Fri, 6am-6pm EST
  Supported Languages: English

Open Educational Resources

What are Open Educational Resources?

The generally accepted definition of open educational resources is this one, from OERCommons:

Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials that are freely available online for everyone to use, whether you are an instructor, student or self-learner. Examples of OER include: full courses, course modules, syllabi, lectures, homework assignments, quizzes, lab and classroom activities, pedagogical materials, games, simulations, and many more resources contained in digital media collections from around the world.

Where can I access Open Educational Resources (OER)?
  1. The Open Professionals Education Network sponsors a search engine that can help you locate OER materials from various web sources and includes tips for using the different websites. It allows searches for videos, images and music, too.
  2. At the OER Commons website, you can browse to locate materials, or, if you prefer, use their topics list.
  3. The Community College Consortium for open educational resources lists open textbooks by discipline.
  4. The Open Course Library "is a collection of shareable course materials, including syllabi, course activities, readings, and assessments... Unless otherwise noted, all materials are shared under a Creative Commons (CC BY) license.OCL courses and materials have undergone testing for accessibility and have been designed using the industry-standard Quality Matters (QM) rubric for assessing the quality of online courses."
  5. Lumen Learning offers courses in Mathematics, Science, Technology, General Education, Developmental Education, Business and Education.
  6. Openstaxcollege.org, an initiative of Rice University, is a nonprofit organization "committed to improving student access to quality learning materials." Their peer-reviewed free online and low-cost print textbooks include supporting materials.
  7. Saylor Academy is a large, free and open course initiative on the web funded by the Constitution Foundation. It offers more than 300 free college-level, credit courses for transfer to accredited public and private partner institutions. Many of their online materials are creative commons licensed.
What is Creative Commons?

Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools. This short video introduction explains Creative Commons.

Where can I learn more about accessibility in Open Educational Resources?

CAST has launched a new website, entitled On Campus: Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education. This site contains information on accessibility and universal design when used with open educational materials.

More resources are listed at the Open Professionals Education Network (OPEN).

Remote Instruction

What is remote instruction?

When classes cannot be held face-to-face, the college president may direct faculty to use remote instructional methodologies in order to continue instruction. Remote instruction represents a temporary shift of instruction from meeting face to face to using technology tools such as email, discussion boards, video classes/conferences.

Remote asynchronous (RA)—classes will not require specific meeting times. Assignments and assessments are completed according to the course syllabus. Content delivery may include prepared videos, pre-recorded lectures, or other types of online presentation.

Remote synchronous (RS)—classes will require specific "live" meeting times through technology tools, such as video conferencing, to facilitate student-faculty interaction. Assignments and assessments are completed according to the course syllabus. These scheduled classes may be recorded and uploaded to the learning management system for later review by students.

How do I get started with remote instruction?

Don't know where to start?

We can help! Schedule a Remote Learning Orientation with a Tutor in the General Academic Areas Tutoring Center!

Do you have reliable access to a computer?

Does your system meet the minimum computer requirements? (Click here for minimum requirements).

I need to purchase a new system, what should I buy? (Click here for minimum requirements).

Is there financial assistance available? (Click here for emergency Assistance Grants)

How can I test my system setup for remote learning?
I'm connected, what next?

The college provides access to The Q (personal portal), Qmail (College email), Blackboard Learn (our learning management system), and Starfish (Communicate and monitor your progress) to all credit students. We recommend that you log into all college systems 7 days before classes start to ensure everything is working. 

Tour of the QCC Suite of Online Tools!

How do I access QMail?

At QCC, our student email system is powered by Google and our Faculty and Staff email is powered by Microsoft Outlook. Both systems are accessible from off campus and also allow you to receive email on your phone. 

Your full student email address is your Qmail username. You can find your username by logging into The Q. Where it displays "Welcome back your name..." in the top right, click “My Profile & Settings”

Click on Contact Information > Email Addresses  click the down arrow to view email address.

You may also contact the Registrar's Office, email is preferred at qccreg [at] qcc.mass.edu or call the IT Service Desk at 508.854.4427 (You must know your Student ID number).

e.g. John Smith - Qmail user name is jsmith [at] qmail.qcc.edu

For technical support, contact the IT Service Desk, Technical Support.

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4427
  • Email: Help [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Help website 

We recommend that you test your QMail access one week prior to classes starting.

What is The Q and how do I access it?

The Q is Quinsigamond Community College's secure website or portal. Think of it as the gateway to the college; it's the one stop which allows current students and faculty the ability to access their personal college information twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Your student id number is your username for The Q. Your username for The Q and password information was sent to you prior to the start of your first semester here at QCC via email or mail.

You can reset your password to The Q, but you need to have access to your Qmail to do so.

If you don’t have your login information, contact the Registrar’s Office, or via email qccreg [at] qcc.mass.edu. Their office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Please note that the Registrar’s Office will not release this information over the telephone.

The login page for The Q is accessible through any internet browser.  At this time we recommend Firefox (or Chrome) as your internet browser. Visit The Q

For more information on The Q, visit The Q help section.

For technical support, contact the IT Service Desk, Technical Support.

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4427
  • Email: Help [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Help Website 

We recommend that you test your access to "the Q" one week prior to classes starting.

How do I access my course in Blackboard?

Blackboard is the College’s Learning Management System which provides tools for teaching online as well as for on ground courses. All QCC courses have a Blackboard shell that may be used for handouts, online discussion, testing, group work, assignment submission, and grading. 

To log into Blackboard Learn simply click on the Blackboard icon after you log into The Q.

For more information on how to use Blackboard Learn, contact the General Academic Areas Tutoring Center.

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4279
  • Email: gaa [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • GAA website

For technical support, contact the IT Service Desk, Technical Support.

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4427
  • Email: Help [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Help website

Courses will not be available until September 8, 2020 but we recommend that you test your access to Blackboard one week prior to classes starting.

What is a virtual classroom and how do I access it??

Your class may require your attendance in a virtual classroom. At QCC there are two tools you may need to know, Blackboard Collaborate and Zoom.

Blackboard Collaborate is part of the Blackboard Learn system. You're instructor will make the course room available at the required time. To access the virtual classroom, log into Blackboard and click on the VIrtual Meeting link located on the left of the course page. For more information on Blackboard Collaborate visit the Blackboard Collaborate help section.

Zoom can be accessed from within Blackboard or by a link supplied by you professor. For more information on Zoom, visit the Zoom meeting help website.

For more information on how to use Blackboard Collaborate or Zoom, contact the General Academic Areas Tutoring Center.

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4279
  • Email: gaa [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • GAA website

For technical support, contact the IT Service Desk, Technical Support:

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4427
  • Email: Help [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Help website

We recommend that you test your camera and microphone one week prior to classes starting.

What is Starfish and what do I use it for?

Starfish provides a tool that you can use to stay informed of your progress in courses, take action on flagged issues and referrals by viewing your Starfish folder and keep in touch with your personal "success team".

To access Starfish click on the Starfish option  on the menu bar across the top of your screen.

How can I learn more about Starfish?  For more information on how to use Starfish, review the Student Guide. 

We recommend that you test your access one week prior to classes starting.

My class uses Cengage textbook materials, how do I access them?

What you need:

  • Your syllabus (to reference your course and section number)
  • A course ID number (provided by your professor, usually on your syllabus)
  • Your access code (on the course materials you purchased)
  • Navigate to the product page, as instructed by your professor. This is usually provided on your syllabus.
  • Click on any option where it says “Register.”
  • Enter the information as it asks you to. This might include your name, your course and section number, your course ID number, and your access code. You may also have to sign up with a username and a password.

If you have issues with your username and password, contact the product company’s customer support line. If you need a course ID, contact your professor,

Make an appointment at the General Academic Areas Tutoring center by emailing  gaa [at] qcc.mass.edu or calling 508.854.4279

Contact Cengage Directly: https://cengage.force.com/s/

Can I order Microsoft Office through the College?

Yes you can! For information on how to get Microsoft products click here: https://www.qcc.edu/help/microsoft-products

My class uses McGraw Hill textbook materials, how do I access them?

What you need:

  • Your syllabus (to reference your course and section number)
  • A course ID number (provided by your professor, usually on your syllabus)
  • Your access code (on the course materials you purchased)
  • Navigate to the product page, as instructed by your professor. This is usually provided on your syllabus.
  • Click on any option where it says “Register.”
  • Enter the information as it asks you to. This might include your name, your course and section number, your course ID number, and your access code. You may also have to sign up with a username and a password.

 If you have issues with your username and password, contact the product company’s customer support line. If you need a course ID, contact your professor,

Make an appointment at the General Academic Areas Tutoring center by emailing  gaa [at] qcc.mass.edu or calling 508.854.4279

Contact McGraw Hill Connect Support Directly

My class uses Pearson MyLab textbook materials, how do I access them?

What you need:

  • Your syllabus (to reference your course and section number)
  • A course ID number (provided by your professor, usually on your syllabus)
  • Your access code (on the course materials you purchased)
  • Navigate to the product page, as instructed by your professor. This is usually provided on your syllabus.
  • Click on any option where it says “Register.”
  • Enter the information as it asks you to. This might include your name, your course and section number, your course ID number, and your access code. You may also have to sign up with a username and a password.

 If you have issues with your username and password, contact the product company’s customer support line. If you need a course ID, contact your professor,

For General help with Pearson products: https://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/northamerica/students/support/index.html

For MyMathLab make an appointment with the Math Center by emailing MathCenter [at] qcc.mass.edu or calling 508.854.7523

For all other Pearson Products  Make an appointment at the General Academic Areas Tutoring center by emailing  gaa [at] qcc.mass.edu or calling 508.854.4279

What other resources are available from QCC?

Student Resources

For technical support, contact the IT Service Desk

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4427
  • Email: Help [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Visit the Help website

Starfish

How can I learn to use Starfish?

For more information on how to use Starfish, review the Faculty Guide.

The Q

How do I enter grades on the Q?

Login to The Q. Select the Welcome Tab then select Grade and Attendance Reporting (from the left). Click on the Grade Entry link. Click on the View Course List link at the right. Follow the on screen instructions.

How do I enter Attendance?

Login to The Q. Select the My Academics Tab, then select either Initial Attendance or 60% Attendance from the menu on the left. Follow the on screen instructions.

What is my username for The Q?
  • For new faculty/staff the first part of your email address is your username. Contact the Registrar’s Office.
  • To reset your password, enter your username and click on the "I forgot my password" link. A new password will be sent to your QCC email. If you are still having trouble, contact the IT Help Desk. Give them your name, your phone number, email address and a brief description of your problem. Do not send your password information.

Turn it In

What is Turnitin?

Turnitin is a web based product that helps check the originality of a student's work. Turnitin is available to all faculty through Blackboard by adding a Turnitin assignment in your course.  Students will be able to access the Turnitin assignment drop through their Blackboard course if the faculty member has chosen to use this product.

Information about the company

Turnitin is the global leader in evaluating and improving student learning. The company’s cloud-based service for originality checking, online grading and peer review saves instructors time and provides rich feedback to students.

How can I learn how to use Turnitin?

 

We have linked Blackboard and Turnitin so all you will need to do is add a Turitin assignment.  You will not need to create a course and upload your class list because that information comes from Blackboard once you have created an assignment.

  • Information for faculty can be found on the Turnitin Instructor Training site.
  • UMass Amherst has training information that is closely related to how we have integrated Turnitin with Blackboard.
  • The Office of Professional Development and Distance Education offers workshops to show faculty how to use Turnitin. (Please click on the green checkmark if no workshop is scheduled to request training assistance.)
How can I get technical help with Turnitin?

If you are having trouble in Blackboard creating or accessing Turnitin then please:

If you are having trouble with the assignment itself or uploading/attaching an assignment then please:

Turning Technologies

Where can I find information about Turning Technologies

Email Support: support [at] turningtechnologies.com
Email Training: training [at] turningtechnologies.com
Call Toll-Free (within the U.S.): 866.746.3015

What is TurningPoint 5? (AKA Clickers)

Turning Point 5 allows you deliver interactive lectures using polling devices.

To get started with TurningPoint you should visit the Training and Tutorials website

Zoom

How do I add Zoom to my Blackboard Course?

View the job aid to assist you in adding a link to Zoom in your Blackboard course and adjusting your settings.