Resources for Remote Learning 

As a PSU student taking online courses in MCECS, you will be expected to use your Odin and MCECS accounts to access a variety of remote tools. Although the technological requirements of a specific course is determined by the instructor, there are a handful that are commonly used across departments.

What follows is a baseline guide that will teach you how to use these accounts and resources so that remote learning is as seamless as possible.

Table of Contents
    1. Managing Your Accounts
    2. General PSU Resources
    3. Getting Tech Support
    4. Remote Access Tools 
    5. Remote Computer Labs
    6. Technology Loan Programs for Students
    7. Software for Student Computers
    8. On-Campus Access to Physical Spaces and Card Access
    9. PSU Google Account and G-Suite Apps
    10. Using Multiple Google Accounts
    11. Finding Zoom or Google Meet Links
    12. CS Slack Server
    13. CS Tutors
    14. ECE Tutors
    15. Useful Tools

MCECS Accounts Introduction for Students (video)

 

Managing Your Accounts

Be aware that as an MCECS student, you will have both an Odin account and MCECS account for accessing various resources.

 

General PSU Resources (use Odin Account)

 

Getting Tech Support

 

Remote Access Tools

 

Remote Computer Labs

 

Technology Loan Programs for Students

 

Software for Student Computers 

 

On-Campus Access to Physical Spaces and Card Access

General PSU Campus Building Access Availability

A few buildings on campus (CH, KMC, FMH, SMSU, ML) have limited access hours for students who need to use study spaces, classrooms for classes being held on campus, some general University administrative offices, and some OIT computer labs available to all PSU students. The Rec Center (ASRC) is also open. All access to these buildings will require using your ID badge. If you are new to PSU, you will need to get your PSU ID.

https://www.pdx.edu/new-way-forward/building-access

Access to MCECS Buildings

Most MCECS students will not be given physical access to the Engineering Building nor Fourth Avenue building, which means students cannot use their ID card to enter these buildings.  The CAT is working on a plan to try to get one of our computer labs available for select MCECS students with a demonstrated need for access.  We will provide an update when we have this available.

As a reference, the following link has information about the physical location of MCECS, a floor plan of the buildings, and a directory of the computer labs:

https://cat.pdx.edu/users/facilities/computer-labs/

 

PSU Google account and G-Suite Apps

Not only does your Odin login get you an @pdx.edu Gmail inbox, but you also have access to all G-Suite apps (such as Drive, Google Calendar, Google Meet, etc) that are tied to your @pdx.edu email. To access these applications, login to your @pdx.edu inbox in Gmail and then click on the nine-dot icon in the upper right hand corner.          

Image of upper right corner of PSU Gmail inbox that has a nine-dot icon used to find all other G-Suite apps
     

 

Using Multiple Google Accounts

If you already have a Google account, you may have trouble staying logged in to your @pdx.edu Google account along with your regular account. This can affect your ability to access class materials in G-Suite apps that require a @pdx.edu login.

Some browsers have account separation features that allow different tabs or windows for different accounts.

Another option is to log in with your @pdx.edu account in a private-browsing window. The disadvantage of this method is that you will need to re-enter your @pdx.edu credentials every time you close the private-browsing windows.

 

Finding Zoom or Google Meet Links for Classes     

Currently, there is no single standard method for students to get access to their online lectures in Zoom or Google Meet. You will most likely find the link posted on the class’s D2L page. You may also get a link through your @pdx.edu email, the Google Calendar tied to your @pdx.edu account, or on your instructor’s personal website.        

When the term is about to begin, be sure to check your @pdx.edu email inbox for directions from your class instructor. If you are still unsure where to find the link to your lectures, contact your instructor.

 

CS Slack Server 

The CS department has a Slack chat server where students can get important news and updates, find help with their CS classes, and connect with other CS students at PSU. Many CS classes will have a specific channel for students, and there are also tutors for certain lower division courses on #cshelp.        

To access the Slack server, use your @pdx.edu email and sign up with this link:

https://pdx-cs.slack.com/signup/

 

CS Tutors 

The CS department offers free tutoring for certain lower division courses. For more information on their services, visit the following link:

https://cat.pdx.edu/users/cs-tutors/what-tutors-do/

To find the tutors, visit their channel #cshelp on the CS Slack server.

Note that this is not the same as the TCSS tutors for CS 162/163/202 classes. Your instructor will give you directions on how to find them.

 

ECE Tutors

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering provides free tutoring for 100 and 200-level ECE courses starting the second week of the term (excluding summer). Click on the following link to see their current schedule and find out more.

https://www.pdx.edu/electrical-computer-engineering/undergraduate-tutoring-information

 

Useful Tools

Document Scanning Apps for Smartphone