Circulation Services:
libcirc@mtholyoke.edu or click the "Chat with Circulation Services" link at the bottom of the LITS homepage (Mon - Fri, 6 - 10 pm EST, Sat & Sun 1 - 5 pm EST)
Research Help:
researchservices-g@mtholyoke.edu or click the "Chat with a Librarian" link at the bottom of the LITS homepage (Mon - Fri, 3 - 5 pm EST). You may also contact a specific subject librarian or request an appointment using this form.
Technology Help:
helpdesk@mtholyoke.edu or (413) 538-2600
Moodle Help:
moodlehelp-g@mtholyoke.edu
Unsure who to contact? Email
ask-lits@mtholyoke.edu and we'll get your question to the right person!
More information can be found on the Services and Hours page of the LITS website.
Technology plays an essential role in your live class experience! LITS encourages all students to take the following steps before your first class meeting, the better to to set yourself up for success. Many common issues can be avoided or mitigated with the following steps.
Zoom is Mount Holyoke’s primary videoconferencing tool. You’ll use Zoom to participate in live class sessions and other activities!
Moodle is Mount Holyoke’s learning management system.
Kaltura is Mount Holyoke's new platform for video management.
Given that all MHC students will be joining some portion of their classes online in the Flexible Immersive Teaching (FIT) model, you may want to consider additional accessories to support your work.
If you need help thinking through the options that are best for you and your learning environment, contact helpdesk@mtholyoke.edu.
Webcam: Your laptop or monitor may already have a webcam. Look for 1080P resolution if possible.
Ethernet cable: This will be necessary if you need to wire into your modem or router. Look for a 10-25 foot cable, depending on the distance you need to cover.
USB to gigabit ethernet adapter (or USB-C for new Mac laptops): This will be necessary if you have a laptop that doesn't have an ethernet jack for a hard-wired internet connection. You may want to consider a version with multiple ports in the event you require other connections (e.g., for a monitor, flash drive, headset, etc.)
USB headphone/microphone headset
USB condenser microphone: This will improve audio on your desktop or laptop, and may be especially helpful if you are participating in a class in which you would prefer not to use a headset (e.g., dance, art, etc.)
Supply chain demands may make some of these brands hard to find. If you need to purchase from another vendor, LITS strongly encourages using product reviews and your best judgment before purchasing.
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AKG |
Dell |
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Amazon Basics |
HP |
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Anker |
Kramer |
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Apple |
Logitech |
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ASUS |
Microsoft |
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Audio Technica |
Moshi |
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Aukey |
MXL |
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Avermedia |
Polycom |
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Behringer |
Presonus |
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Belkin |
Sampson |
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Cable Matters |
VDO360 |
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Clearone |
In many ways, successfully learning online is no different than learning in person: you still need to dedicate a significant amount of your time, consistently attend your classes, concentrate while studying, and fully commit to your learning process.
When you take an online course, you are also expected to do the following:
Technology glitches happen all the time. To avoid mishaps, ensure that you save your work repeatedly, and backup regularly using Google Drive or another cloud storage service. Ensure you can access your work from your smartphone or tablet, if needed. Make a backup of your online course material and assignments in case you lose connectivity.
Wherever you decide to study, ensure that this place is quiet, organized, distraction-free, and available for use at any time. Your study environment should be one of your main concerns when you are an online learner; make sure that it enables you to maintain a good study routine. Ask your friends, relatives, and colleagues to respect your “work mode,” and consider turning off your phone and logging off of all social networks when studying; you will want to be neither interrupted nor distracted.
Procrastination can be a particular challenge for online learners. Make sure that you stay organized, and you are not falling behind in your online class. If you are having difficulties submitting your assignments on time, contact your instructor and let them know, so that they can help you create a consistent study routine.
While it may be constructive to look for answers to your online course-related questions independently, hesitating to contact your instructor when you are stuck may be problematic. If you don’t ask for help when necessary, you may end up falling behind, which may lower your self-esteem, as you may not be able to keep up with the course.
By asking your instructors to clarify problems, you will also help them not only to evaluate learners' level of understanding of the online material, but also to get an idea of the overall effectiveness of the online course. Keep in mind that if you don’t ask for help when you need it, your online instructor may never know that something is wrong.
Consider asking for help in the course forums or in another way that is open to the whole class. Your classmates may have similar questions or difficulties; asking your question aloud can help everyone.
Your performance will decrease if you are feeling tired or frustrated while studying. Integrate some personal time into your study routine, and you will be able to work more effectively on your online course goals. When taking a break, make sure that you get away from your study space; you need to have a change of scenery. A mild physical activity, such as a walk around the block, will help you maintain balance, renew energy, and go back to studying with a clear mind.
Online learning doesn’t mean learning in isolation. Connecting with your classmates on social media or your online course’s forum will significantly enhance your experience. (This can be particularly true for introverts, or others who find self-expression challenging in face-to-face learning.)
Participate actively in online discussions and group activities, suggest study tricks, offer your input on the course, and engage in new ideas. Just ensure that you are mindful of your tone; be respectful when you disagree with other members of your online group, and always write in complete and clear sentences to avoid misunderstandings.
In addition to using social media and course forums to stay connected, keep in mind that Mount Holyoke has expanded the messaging features available in Moodle, and that the Moodle mobile app is available to you as well. It’s one more way to reach out to your instructors and your classmates!
Finally, don’t underestimate the effort needed to fully commit to your online course. To make sure that you stay motivated and engaged in your online learning experience, consider following these tips:
