Free Tools

IMPORTANT: Make sure to register using your CSN email address. Personal email addresses may not qualify for free software usage.

Tools

Labster Virtual Laboratory Simulations

Labster, which provides virtual laboratory simulations, is offering their simulations to a small course at each institution at no cost; however, it does not include support, LMS integration or grades. There is an application process with Labster. There are 100+ lab experiments covering biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and general sciences, which students can perform "at their own pace." (On the sign-up form, ignore the K-12 verbiage. This offer extends to colleges and universities affected by closures.) Labster Website

IMPORTANT: You must use your CSN email address for verification.

Loom Video Software

A video recording tool that helps you get your message across through instantly shareable videos.

Faculty/Staff/Students: Loom is making its video software free for educators forevermore. The program captures a person's screen, voice and face and allows for editing, "instant sharing" and controlled viewing. Visit the official Loom website to get started.

TechSmith Tools & Resources

Create and share images and videos for better training, tutorials, lessons, and everyday communication.

Faculty/Staff/Students: Install Snagit on a Windows or Mac computer.
Share the Snagit product webpage with your teams as a quick overview.
Check out our library of Snagit tutorials.

TechSmith Video Review
Use this special link to access Video Review. If you do not already have a TechSmith Account, you will be prompted to create one to log into Video Review.
Check out our library of Video Review tutorials.

Additional Resources for Getting Started
TechSmith resource guide.

TechSmith Relay
Getting Started Webinar (recorded - 1:15:15)
Presentation Slides
View/download the Presentation Slides
The slides are living in Google. You can convert them into Google Slides, or download a PowerPoint using the download option in the top-right.
There are some clickable links to additional resources within the slides.
Free Relay Tutorials:
General Relay Tutorials
Adding Relay Content to your Canvas Course
Additional Training Opportunities:
We have several Additional Training Opportunities that are free for you to register for and attend. That includes Q&A sessions and sessions that focus beyond the basics. If you register and are not able to attend, you are sent the recording to the session afterwards.

Resources

Apple Tools and Resources

Logic Pro X and Final Cut Pro X Access: Apple has created a free 90 day access site for Logic Pro X and Final Cut Pro X so that students can continue their education. Students can access the Logic Pro X and Final Cut Pro X by clicking on the link below and scrolling down. Higher Education at Apple.

1:1 Virtual Support: Virtual one-on-one coaching sessions with Apple Professional Learning Specialists are available to help individual educators hone their approach to online student learning and workflows. To schedule a coaching session, educators should email to request a virtual coaching session.

On-Demand Videos: The Apple Education Learning Series provides on-demand videos designed to help educators use Apple products and their built-in features to enable remote learning for all students. There are currently three videos in the series with more on the way.
Prepare Resources for Remote Learning
Create and Share Presentations and Demos
Create Engaging Videos with Clips

Online Forum Discussions: Educators can also chat online, ask questions, and get help from these Apple Education support communities:
Mac in Education
iPad in Education
iPhone in Education

AppleCare Support Phone Support: AppleCare experts are available to help educators and leaders with dedicated support. Connect with Apple Education phone support at 1-800-800-2775, option 3.

CSN Libraries

Instructors may find resources that will help them teach their classes online and students may find more access to textbooks.

Faculty/Staff/Students: Visit the CSN Library for shared resources offered by educational vendors or publishers.
Information and tools are available for students and Instructors.

Math Resources from Casio

Casio is here to help with remote learning. Feel free to share these online learning tools and resources designed to help sustain math skills at home.

Faculty/Staff/Students: Casio has several resources available to help with math education. The company is providing free access to ClassPad.net, a web-based calculator for calculations, graphing, geometry and statistics. There's also software to emulate Casio's most popular scientific and graphing calculators as well as downloadable college-level calculator activities that instructors can assign. Visit Casio's website to gain access to these free resources/tools.

Connectivity/Internet

Internet Access
As we transition to remote learning, access to a reliable internet connection is crucial. Here are several links to companies who are providing broadband internet access for free or small fees for students:

FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot spots.

AT&T COVID-19 response: offers open hot spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low-income families

Verizon COVID-19 response: no special offers but following the FCC agreement.

Sprint COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020 will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.

T-Mobile COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers.

Cox’s Emergency Response offer & what students or faculty can expect:

  • The first month of Starter Internet free
  • Then only $19.99/mo. in months 2-12
  • Includes free self-install and modem rental
  • No annual contract required
  • Cox Connect2Complete Offer (Click “Don’t Qualify” for Connect to Compete)

For Faculty, Staff, and Students who have children in K-12 schools and qualify:
Connect to Compete

  • Effective Monday, March 16, Cox is providing:
  • Limited-time, first two months free of Connect2Compete service, $9.95/month thereafter
  • Until May 15, 2020, Cox is providing phone and remote desktop support through Cox Complete Care at no charge to provide peace of mind and ease for technology needs
  • Resources for discounted or refurbished equipment through Cox’s association with PCs for People
  • A Learn from Home toolkit for schools, including instructions on how to fast-track eligible students without internet access
  • Cox Connect2Complete Offer (Click “Don’t Qualify” for Connect to Compete

Cox Hotspots
Cox has opened up any of their wifi hotspots that are located in restaurants and businesses throughout the valley and you can find one near you by using this map.

Cox Hotspot WiFi Map

The Open Textbook Library

Textbooks every student can access and afford.

Faculty/Staff/Students: Make a difference in your students' lives with free, openly-licensed textbooks. The Open Textbook Library is reminding faculty at colleges and universities that it has 703 openly-licensed textbooks, which can be downloaded for free or printed at a low cost. Subjects include accounting and finance, business, computer science, education, math, national sciences, social sciences and student success, among others. The compilation is maintained by the nonprofit Center for Open Education in the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development.

Siteimprove Academy

Siteimprove, CSN's service for monitoring quality assurance and accessibility on our website, now offers online training classes for free.

SiteImprove Academy is offering free access to many of its online training classes, including their sessions for Accessibility in the Virtual Classroom.

Accessibility in the Virtual Classroom

Course Objectives

  • Understand what instructors are responsible for with regards to virtual classroom resource accessibility
  • Demonstrate how to write and format learning content accessibly
  • Understand how to factor in accessibility when adding images, color, and multimedia to online learning materials

Course Sections and Topics

  1. Virtual Classroom Accessibility Fundamentals
  2. Write and Format Content for Online Learning
  3. Virtual Classroom Images and Color
  4. Multimedia to Supplement Learning