We live and learn in increasingly online and digitally interconnected spaces. This means that when we do have problems or limitations with access to IT it can feel quite limiting. The following few points can hopefully help you manage if you have short or longer term issues with regards access to IT
General Guidance
Tell your Personal Tutor
It’s important that you make sure we are aware that you have limited access to IT or the internet. The best way to do this is by contacting your Personal Tutor or Module Leader and a quick email is probably the easiest way to do that. If you are unsure of who they are or how to contact them, you will have received an email at the start of the academic year, to your LJMU email address, informing you of contact details for your Programme Leader and Personal Tutor.
Submitting your Assignment
If you have limited access to the internet, make sure you give yourself as much time as possible to upload any assignments. Of course, if things don’t work out then contact your Module Leader to explain your circumstances and request an extension.
Ask for an extension
If you are unable to submit work online or work is taking longer to complete because of limited IT access, contact your module Leader or Personal Tutor for an extension. We do not know how long the current social distancing measures will persist, but extra time might allow you to gain better access to IT. You can also use the MyLJMU app and complete the Personal Circumstances form in the MyServices area. You can do this from your phone as well as a computer.
What if I miss a lecture?
If you’ve missed a session or weren’t able to attend an online lecture, it may have been recorded, speak to your module leader about the possibility of accessing recordings and materials.
Reduce Distractions at home
To work successfully you should try to create a suitable study space at home. If possible, make a space which is away from distractions that might make you lose concentration. This goes for digital distractions as well. There are a range of apps and tools on your mobile phone that can temporarily disable some of the more distracting tools that you use.
Although we cannot make direct recommendations for alternative apps, there are many tools that can help you concentrate, or at least reduce the temptation to view social media or check the news. There are other apps out there too…so try some out to see if they work for you.
If you share IT equipment with other members of the household, try to come to an agreement over who will use the equipment and when. Use the time when you don’t have access to plan or otherwise prepare for assignments.
General IT Support
There is a quick guide to the most frequently used General IT facilities at LJMU. You can also obtain general help with LJMU IT. Please take care of your online security. Additional information about renewing your password and keeping it secure is available.
In addition, for any assistance with using Canvas you can phone the Canvas 24/7 free helpline on 0808-189-4061 or chat with them online. For more information click on the Canvas ‘Help’ button. It in the far left hand column of all Canvas sites.
You can access all the online services the library has to offer.
If you require any support with study skills, you may wish to contact the Academic Achievement Team
If you are struggling, remember that we have excellent support for LJMU Student Health and Wellbeing.
What to do if you only have access to a mobile phone or tablet?
Although this isn’t an ideal situation, there are still lots of things that you can do with a mobile device if you have access to the internet via 4G or WiFi. Download the Canvas App from your app store.
Update your operating system
Your phone may have been asking you to update the operating system for a while. Now is the time to follow this advice and install the highest version of the operating system your phone will allow you to install. This will make your phone more secure and will allow you to use all the functionalities connected with the recommended apps.
Free up memory space
You probably have games, photos and movies stored on the device. This will impact on what you can download, store and do on your phone. LJMU offer 1TB of space to store your work on Microsoft’s OneDrive. Download the OneDrive app and temporarily move some of your files into here.
Download the Canvas student app
Make sure you have downloaded the Canvas student app on Android and iOS devices. This helps you to stay updated with your courses anywhere.
Download the MS Teams App
Download MS Teams to your computer or mobile device. You’ll find it in your app store.
Download the Panopto app
Download the Panopto app, this allows you to download recordings temporarily for 14 days should you have limited internet connection. Guides available for iOS and Android.
Install Microsoft Office Suite
All students have access to Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and Excel for a mobile device. You also have 1TB storage on OneDrive. With these tools installed you can continue to take notes and develop draft versions of your work. The advantage of using this is that you can then access these materials from any other device. So, when you do get access to other technology, you can continue to work on, refine and submit your work.
Handy tip: Consider using ‘speech to text’ in MS Word. This will allow you to narrate into your phone and your words are converted to text. You can use this to create the main body of your document and then edit the text. You can also play this back on your phone to get a sense of how well it is written. A guide is available.
Install OneNote
OneNote is probably the most powerful study tool you haven’t heard of. You can use it to structure your revision or essay using a range of tools that make it easy to keep track of your studies. OneNote study guide for students.
Install Microsoft Office Lens app
This app allows you to take images of pages or diagrams and turn them into text. This can help you keep a record of your work on paper. Watch this video on how to use it.
Don’t forget good old pen and paper
Taking notes whilst watching a video, reading an e-book or reviewing an academic paper is a normal part of studying. You can then use the technology outlined above to record these so that you don’t lose them.
What to do if you have access to a computer/laptop, but limited internet?
You may have a computer/laptop but limited access to the internet. Please read the guidance below:
Online Participation
If you find that your internet quality is affecting your use of you online MS Teams session, try switching your Camera off and speak to your tutor about the issue.
Downloading materials to your computer
Downloading materials from Canvas
Follow this guide to help you download a local copy of your Canvas materials to help you study without the internet.
Downloading journal articles and some e-books
Access the recommended reading and download these on to your computer so you can access them when you need to. Unfortunately, not all e-books are available for download, but some are.
Downloading recordings from Panopto
If you don’t already have permission to do this, ask your module leader so enable you to download recordings onto your computer for you to study without the internet. A guide is available.
Install Microsoft 365 office suite on your computer
You might not know this, but you have access to the full Microsoft Office suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, OneNote) via the university. Once these are installed you then have some very powerful tools to help you organise your studies. You can find out how to do this.
OneNote
As described above, OneNote is probably the most powerful study tool you haven’t heard of. You can use it to structure your revision or essay using a range of tools that make it easy to keep track of your studies.