Students:

All/Classes/Computer/Data/Files/Internet/Mac/Software/Tech Support/Tutors/

During this time while we all work from home, you are likely going to need technical support. We are still here available for you if you need us. You can reach us by submitting a ticket via our Mojo Helpdesk, or you can send an email to the A&E CAD Technical Support group email (cad-techsupport-group@austincc.edu).

The A&E CAD Tech Support team will be regularly available weekdays from 9A – 5P and we will strive to have technical support available at night and on the weekends.

ACC is aware that not everyone has access to the technology needed to transition to online classes. We are pleased to announce that we have laptops available for students to request, pre-loaded with all the applications you’ll need for A&E CAD classes. If you wish to request a laptop for the semester, please begin by completing ACC’s Technology Request Form. One of our tech support agents will reach out to you on how to proceed after we receive your request. Please note that our supplies are limited and selection will be based on need first, then order of submission.

If you do not have internet, you can check with some internet service providers or your cellphone carrier because many are offering fee access.

  • Spectrum: Free Internet for 60 days
  • Comcast: Increased, free internet for 60 days
  • Sprint and T-Mobile are making all data plans unlimited for the next 60 days and increasing mobile hotspot usage.
  • Verizon has automatically added a 15 Gigabytes per month hotspot allowance for all customers.
  • AT&T will waive any data overage charges as long as the customer contacts them and submits a request.

No.

ACC campuses are still closed to students except those taking classes that must meet face-to-face. That means, please do not try to come to the A&E CAD department to ask for help or use our labs—you will not be allowed in.

Also, just like you, all of us in the A&E CAD department are working remotely. You will have to contact us through email, Google Hangouts, Google Meet, or any other way instructed to you by your instructor.

Most classes will have pre-recorded videos for all of the lectures posted on Blackboard. This way you can access the lectures at anytime, watching them when you are able and follow your instructor’s instructions.

Certain classes, such as DFTG 1405 – Intro to Technical Drawing, will hold regularly scheduled lectures using Google Meet. Please be sure to attend the class orientation to find out how it will be held for the rest of the semester.

Each instructor will have a different approach, but opportunities for you to meet with your instructor will be made available. All our instructors will be available via email and most will have Google Meet sessions available to meet with students during regularly scheduled office hours.

Please attend your class orientation and read your syllabus carefully to get information specific to your instructor and how best to meet with them.

Google Meet is an online app, similar to Webex or Zoom, that allows multiple people to hold a virtual meeting using a webcam and microphone on a computer, or camera and microphone on a smartphone or tablet.

We will be using Google Meet because it is readily available to all students and faculty through the Google Accounts that ACC has given us. Your instructor will use it to communicate with you, both for their lectures and for their office hours. The tech support team will also be using Google Meet to provide remote technical support.

While using Google Meet, your instructor can share their screen with you in order to present something. You can also share your screen with your instructor during a 1-on-1 session to get assistance from them.

In order to use Google Meet on a computer, you can click on the links provided to you by your instructor to join their meeting. On a smartphone or tablet you will need to download and install the Hangouts Meet app in order to join your instructor’s meeting from there.

Your instructor will let you know how they prefer that you submit your work. They will also provide video tutorials or step-by-step documentation showing how to publish the file format they prefer. Most classes that use an AutoCAD based application will submit their work through AutoCAD’s DWF file format.

Once you have created the file to be submitted, you will submit the project to your instructor through Blackboard, Google Drive, or email. Your instructor will let you know which method they prefer.

Most of our instructors will be modifying their coursework to allow you more time to complete projects and there will be fewer projects overall. The A&E CAD department will offer greater flexibility in grading as long as it doesn’t compromise the quality of the work and the specific learning outcomes of your course that were listed in the syllabus.

Each instructor will clearly communicate with you any changes to the coursework, projects, and deadlines if made.

Any further changes to final grading guidelines will be communicated directly to you as needed.

Yes! Our tutors are available virtually at our new A&E CAD Open Lab Google Site. By clicking on the link, a new tab will open asking you to sign in to Google – use your ACC student account in order to gain access to the site. There, you will find information on how to connect with tutors and get the help you need.

Tutors will connect with you using Webex. If this will be your first time using Webex, you will be asked to download and install the Webex application – please accept and follow the instructions on-screen to connect with your tutor.

Here’s a link to our website with links to suggested system requirements for the various software you may need:
https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/software-information

Please look them over and use them to assist you in determining whether your existing computer will work to run the software we use, or if you need to find another solution.

While there is a version of AutoCAD that will run in macOS, it will appear differently than what we run in the labs. In order to run Windows applications, you will need to set up your Mac to dual-boot Windows.

The two most common approaches for this are Apple Boot Camp and Parallels Desktop. Apple’s Boot Camp is free and allows users to setup their Mac to boot into macOS or Windows. Parallels Desktop is a software that runs Windows in a virtual environment, essentially running Windows inside of macOS, and can be purchased for $40 from the ACC webstore. This allows you to switch between macOS and Windows, or run Windows applications inside of macOS.

Choose from the below options for more information on setting up your Mac to run Windows.

  • Steps for installing and using Apple Boot Camp:
    • See the Apple Boot Camp setup instructions on our website here.
  • Steps for installing and using Parallels Desktop:
    • See the Parallels Desktop setup instructions on our website here.

NOTE: For either of these methods, you need to have a valid Microsoft Windows license key. You can get Microsoft Windows 10 Education for free from ACC’s webstore,  see the Get Windows 10 Education Free section here for more instructions.

We have detailed instructions on setting up Apple Boot Camp on your Mac and then installing Windows. You can find the instructions on the page linked below.

https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/boot-camp/

We have detailed instructions on setting up Parallels Desktop on your Mac. You can find the instructions on the page linked below.

https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/parallels-desktop/

Yes, as a student you are eligible to receive a free Windows 10 Educational license key from ACC’s web store.

Read the instructions under the Get Windows 10 Education Free section on our website here:

https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/microsoft-windows-10/

You can download a student version of Autodesk products (AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, Civil 3D). The link below will help walk you through that:
https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/autodesk/

You can get SolidWorks for home use by browsing to the link below. There you will find detailed instructions that will you help walk through signing up, downloading, and installing it:

https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/solidworks/

You can download the Mastercam Home Learning Edition (HLE). The link below will help walk you through signing up, downloading, and installing it:

https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/mastercam-hle/

You can get the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite through ACC for a reduced price ($50). To do that follow the instructions on our Adobe Applications software page here:

https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/adobe-applications/

If you need a copy of Autodesk Design Review, you can get it here.

To properly handle the management of your files and folder while working from home, we have created and attached a guide (Home Folder Management Guide PDF). Please carefully read through it as it will help you and us to make the process of working from home easier. You should also receive this guide when you receive the data you requested through our Student Data Request form.

Please be sure to keep all of your work that you do for the rest of the semester, we will be requesting a copy of it so that we can back it up into our long term student data archive. This is absolutely necessary for you to complete the portfolio class and get your degree.

To access your Portfolio folder you can request a copy of it by going to A&E CAD’s Student Data Request and filling out the form. Once you receive your download link via email, use the Download & Extraction Guide to make your Portfolio files available.

Please do not combine requests for Portfolio data or with requests for Shared folder access.

As one of our students, you should have been added to our Students Google group. All students in that group have access to our Google Drive Shared folder.

You may access the Shared drive in one of two different ways

– On the web using Google Drive:

  1. From your ACC student email account, click on the pattern of dots in the upper-right corner of the main screen – it should look like this:
  2. Click on the Google Drive icon – it should look like this:
  3. Click on the Shared drives header in the left navigation panel.
  4. You will see an option in the main panel called Shared – double-click on it.
  5. All class share folders will be in the main panel. Double-click to open folders and files and right-click to access options to download.

– From Google Drive File Stream using File Explorer: 

  1. Open an instance of File Explorer and open your G:\ drive.
  2. Double-click on Shared drives.
  3. Double-click on the Shared folder.
  4. All class share folders will appear as they do on the S:\ drive – use it in the same way.

If you do not see the Shared drive in either of the above locations, you can request access to our Google Drive Shared folder by going to A&E CAD’s Student Data Request and filling out the form.

Please do not combine requests for Shared folder access with requests for Portfolio data.

We understand that working from home will be a challenge – there are new realities affecting everyone’s availability at various times of the day. For this reason, we will be handling class attendance differently while learning in a virtual environment. Attendance is still required, but may be as simple as responding to an email or completing an assignment by a certain date. Each instructor will decide how best to accommodate this requirement realistically.

Regardless of your availability at specific times of the day, you will be given the tools and resources you need to successfully complete the course.

Email is the best way to communicate with us. Please note that the only email address that we’re allowed to communicate with students is your ACC student email address (the one ending in @g.austincc.edu). *Please be sure to check that email address for updates from us and to send us emails.

Instructors:

All/Computer/Mac/Software/camtasia/lectures/video recording/

We are going to be using Google Meet for all online presentations and virtual communications with students.

We are going to use Google Calendar for scheduling office hour appointments with students.

All lectures should be given as pre-recorded videos using Camtasia and posted to your Blackboard course so students can access them anytime they need them.

Here are some resource videos showing you how to use Google Meet.

  • Video One – 9:01 – Holding Class – explanation of Google Meet
  • Video Two – 8:06 – Holding Office Hours – scheduling virtual conferences with students
  • Video Three – 7:19 – Tips for Teaching with Meet – best practices
  • Video Four – 6:47 – Recording a Class Meeting – linking to Classroom
  • Google Classroom Tutorial – 10:47

If you have further questions about using Google Meet, please contact the A&E CAD Tech Support group email (cad-techsupport-group@austincc.edu).

Yes, we must still certify attendance.

While we must certify attendance, it will no longer be based on specific meeting times. Instead, due to the circumstances created by the pandemic, we advise instructors to base attendance on timely email responses, submitted assignments, or short quizzes/questionnaires to be completed on a weekly basis so that the deadlines are known in advance and time is allotted to students with other responsibilities.

There’s a way to have students submit projects electronically directly to your gradebook, so you can see what  needs grading, return projects and update grades all in one place.

Any quizzes you may do in class can be set up as an online quiz in Blackboard. What’s cool about this is that students can take the quiz online. When they’re done, it automatically grades the quiz… they see their grade instantly and it goes straight into your gradebook. After the time it takes for you to set it up, it ends up saving you time. You can also copy the quiz from semester to semester once you’ve created it!

This is what full-time faculty has been using to record instructional videos for many years. Licenses are limited, but we do have enough to give access to those who need to record videos.

Camtasia is a screen recording application that can capture anything that you see on your screen. If you have a microphone it can also capture what you would say to your students when presenting it. 

When you record:

  • Go slowly so students can follow what you’re saying
  • Talk your students through each click and each command you’re using
  • Camstasia has an option for Closed Captioning. It does a fairly good job of auto captioning, but you can edit if you feel comfortable with it

LinkedIn Learning has tutorial videos on how to use Camtasia, and Ashleigh has created a step-by-step guide on recording and publishing your videos. If you need a copy of Camtasia (or Snagit), please email the A&E CAD Tech Support group (cad-techsupport-group@austincc.edu)

No.

At this time, very few employees are allowed on campus. ACC has basically narrowed it down to department chairs, admins, tech people and full time faculty members. Though starting next week, ACC is going to shorten that list of approved employees even further. This means that adjuncts, students, and others that ACC has decided that is not essential they have access, do not have access to the campus.

Every department and faculty member is in the same boat, so we’re all having to work remotely. We know this is a challenge, but we have to be flexible.

We all have access to LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), which is a HUGE resource for online learning. They have in-depth classes on just about every software you can image:

  • Camtasia
  • Google Meet
  • Google Classroom
  • Snag It
  • Blackboard

Email Brian with “LinkedIn Learning Request” as the subject line to request access.

Yes, as a student you are eligible to receive a free Windows 10 Educational license key from ACC’s web store.

Read the instructions under the Get Windows 10 Education Free section on our website here:

https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/microsoft-windows-10/

While there is a version of AutoCAD that will run in macOS, it will appear differently than what we run in the labs. In order to run Windows applications, you will need to set up your Mac to dual-boot Windows.

The two most common approaches for this are Apple Boot Camp and Parallels Desktop. Apple’s Boot Camp is free and allows users to setup their Mac to boot into macOS or Windows. Parallels Desktop is a software that runs Windows in a virtual environment, essentially running Windows inside of macOS, and can be purchased for $40 from the ACC webstore. This allows you to switch between macOS and Windows, or run Windows applications inside of macOS.

Choose from the below options for more information on setting up your Mac to run Windows.

  • Steps for installing and using Apple Boot Camp:
    • See the Apple Boot Camp setup instructions on our website here.
  • Steps for installing and using Parallels Desktop:
    • See the Parallels Desktop setup instructions on our website here.

NOTE: For either of these methods, you need to have a valid Microsoft Windows license key. You can get Microsoft Windows 10 Education for free from ACC’s webstore,  see the Get Windows 10 Education Free section here for more instructions.

We have detailed instructions on setting up Apple Boot Camp on your Mac and then installing Windows. You can find the instructions on the page linked below.

https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/boot-camp/

We have detailed instructions on setting up Parallels Desktop on your Mac. You can find the instructions on the page linked below.

https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/parallels-desktop/

You can download the Mastercam Home Learning Edition (HLE). The link below will help walk you through signing up, downloading, and installing it:

https://test.cadlearningcenter.com/support/mastercam-hle/

As an ACC faculty member, you can get the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite through ACC for free. To do that first create an Adobe account:

  1. Navigate to accounts.adobe.com by clicking here.
  2. Click on the ‘Create an Account’ link just below the word “Sign in”.
    • NOTE: Do not choose “Continue with Google”, Facebook, or Apple. You need to use your ACC email address in order to get it free through ACC.
  3. Using your ACC email address, enter your information and click on the ‘Create account’ button.

Now that you have created an Adobe account, you can proceed to purchase the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite for a reduced price:

  1. Browse to and log in to the Austin Community College WebStore (Kivuto) using your ACC ID and password on the Okta login screen.
  2. In the webstore, click on Adobe Creative Cloud and add it to your cart.
  3. Complete the purchase and the follow the instructions to download and install the Creative Cloud Suite.

If you need a copy of Autodesk Design Review, you can get it here.

  • ACC Virtual Workspace – ACC website where you can find direct links to useful ACC pages and applications (such as eTime, Blackboard, the Adobe Creative Cloud link, etc.)