Summer 2024

Summer 2024, Teams Phones

Teams Phone Update

Microsoft Teams mobile application from Microsoft Corporation on a smartphone.

The networking and telecommunications team has continued working hard over the summer to seamlessly transition more individuals and departments to Teams phones. As of July 22, 41 of 90 departments have begun successfully using Teams phones and 62.9% of individual phone users have been migrated to the new system. 

Benefits 

Teams Phones, which make and receive calls using the internet, provides benefits such as: 

Accessibility 

Use your work phone number from anywhere with an internet connection and connect with remote colleagues. 

Cost Savings 

Reduced voice service expenses compared to the outdated system. 

Improved Reliability and Scalability:  

Experience consistent and dependable phone service with the ability to adapt to future needs.  

How do I use Teams Phones? 

Click here to watch ITS’s short introduction video to learn how to use Teams Phone features. 

What happens next? 

If you or your department hasn’t yet made the switch to Teams phones, you’ll be contacted in the coming months to schedule a time for the change. Please keep a lookout for emails from voip@clarku.edu. For more information, visit our Teams Phone Transition webpage.   

Together, let’s embrace this positive change and enhance communication across Clark University!  

If you have questions about this transition, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@clarku.edu or 508-793-7745. 

Data Privacy and Security, MFA, Summer 2024

Coming Back to Campus: MFA & Travel

You have your passport, you have your bags packed, and you’re excited to come back to campus. But wait! If you plan on connecting to your Clark account while traveling, preparing your MFA in advance can make your trip much easier. 

When traveling or otherwise, ITS recommends using the Microsoft Authenticator app as your primary MFA factor. This app can be installed on multiple devices and allows you to authenticate access to your Clark account from anywhere your devices can connect to the internet – regardless of cell service or phone number.

Adding Authenticator as a Factor

Before boarding the plane or hitting the road, be sure that Microsoft Authenticator is your primary MFA factor. Authenticator can approve your login via internet rather than using a text code that requires a specific phone number. In fact, Microsoft will usually default to using Authenticator if it is included as your factor since it is the most secure. 

Click here https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info and log in if prompted. 

To add Microsoft Authenticator to your account: 

  • Click Add sign-in method 
  • Choose Authenticator App 
  • Click Add and follow the prompts. 
  • When complete, check that Authenticator is listed as your default sign-in method again. 
  • If not, follow the instructions below. 

Once complete ensure that your Sign-in method when most advisable is unavailable is Microsoft Authenticator – notification. If not, click Change and choose App-Based Authentication – notification. 

 

 

 

 

Installing Authenticator on Another Device 

Now that Authenticator is your primary factor, you can install the app on multiple internet-connected devices to give you lots of flexibility while traveling. However, be sure to only install it on devices that you are the sole user of to prevent security issues. 

Before beginning this process, be sure that the device with Authenticator set up as your primary factor in step 1 is connected to the internet. 

  1. Download Microsoft Authenticator to your new device. Be sure that it’s published by Microsoft. 
    1. Click here for Microsoft Authenticator for Android  
    2. Click here for Microsoft Authenticator on iOS  
  2. Launch the application 
  3. Choose Work or School account. 
  4. Enter your Clark email address. 
  5. When prompted, login with your usual Clark credentials. 

At this point, Microsoft will attempt to authenticate your login using your primary factor – the Authenticator app on your first device. Follow the prompts on your first device to authenticate your new device 

If you add a second device, when authentication needs to happen, the Authenticator app on both devices (if connected to the internet) will prompt you to approve your login. 

Need Help? 

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@clarku.edu, 508-793-7745. Remember that we can support you more easily if you contact us before travelling. 

Digital and Information Fluency, Summer 2024, Tips and Tricks

Digital Housekeeping: Tips & Tricks from the Experts

web graphics with a lock icon, gloves, and a spone 

The fall semester is right around the corner – set yourself up for success by taking the time to do some digital housekeeping. Here are our top tips for taking care of your device and your data in preparation for the new academic year. 

Set aside part of your day to organize and review files 

Did you know that the average employee spends 19% of their work week searching for and gathering information? Organizing, archiving, or deleting files helps keep your computer secure and clutter-free. Click here to read ITS’s suggestions on managing files.  

Add university closures to your calendar 

Check HR’s holiday calendar for the upcoming year and mark yourself as out of office on the days the university will be closed so you do not accidentally create meetings or schedule important tasks on these dates.  

Learn more about OneDrive 

For improved collaboration, easy file back-up, and seamless transitions between devices, consider using OneDrive, Clark’s cloud storage solution. OneDrive saves and syncs any changes to your documents, so the most recent version is always backed up. Best of all, it is accessible from any internet-connected device with your Clark account credentials, so you have more flexibility if your computer breaks or needs servicing.  

Schedule an appointment with the technology training specialist to set up OneDrive on your computer.  

Use the Search bar in Microsoft apps 

The most used Microsoft apps, such as PowerPoint, Excel, and Word, all feature a search bar. Use this function to easily find features and settings, as well as answer frequently asked questions. 

Check and clean out junk and trash folders in Outlook 

Emails might wind up here accidentally that need rescuing! Otherwise, thousands of messages can sit in these folders for months, taking up space and potentially making Outlook run slower. Move any relevant emails to your inbox and delete the rest.  

Restart your computer 

Restarting on a consistent basis is the best way to make sure your device is up to date and running efficiently. ITS suggests restarting your computer once a week before signing off so the restart process does not disrupt your workday.  

Refresh Team membership 

If you belong to or manage a Team for your group, department, or project, review its members and owners prior to the start of the academic year. With new hires and departures over the summer, it’s easy to let membership lists fall out of date. Make sure old colleagues have been removed and new ones added with the appropriate permissions. 

If you’d like assistance with your digital housekeeping, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@clarku.edu or 508-793-7745. 

LIL, Summer 2024, Teaching with Technology

Advance Your Skills with LinkedIn Learning

Bahia, BrazilLinkedIn app logo on smartphone screen on office desk.

As back-to-school season draws near, it’s the perfect time to brush up on your skills so you can be confident, happy, and productive for the upcoming academic year. Clark University provides free LinkedIn Learning access to all members of the campus community. Practice public speaking, explore Excel, or manage mindfulness skills!  

Click here to activate your LinkedIn Learning account.

ITS has curated a few collections. Check them out! 

In recent months, LinkedIn Learning has also introduced a new AI coaching feature, which can identify helpful skills and courses to address specific challenges you’d like to work on or area of growth you’d like to focus on. Click here to learn more about LinkedIn Learning’s AI coaching.  

Faculty members can also create specific learning paths or collections for their students and monitor progress in LinkedIn Learning. Contact the technology training specialist if you’d like assistance in harnessing the power of LinkedIn in your upcoming classes.