Log into your Cougars email and check it often!
Instructional & Information Technology Services
Help & Support
Services
Teaching & Learning
Projects
IT Strategic Plan
About Us
IITS for Students
IITS for You // Students
Technology Links
First Steps for Your Virtual Fall
-
1. Log in to your Cougars Email
-
2. Log in to your Cougar Courses
Cougar Courses is where all your course content is located, from readings to homework to assignments and grades.
-
3. Log in to your Student Center (MyCSUSM)
Your Student Center is where you can view your courses, your financial aid, your To Do List, and much more.
-
4. Download and log into Zoom and Teams
Zoom and Teams will allow you to attend lectures, communicate with instructors and classmates, and even talk to an advisor.
IMPORTANT: When you sign in to Teams, skip the Cougars part of your email (username@csusm.edu, NOT username@cougars.csusm.edu).
-
5. Download free Microsoft and Adobe software
Download Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and the rest of Office and Adobe Creative Cloud to help with homework and projects.
-
6. Download the Campus App
Our Campus app brings the campus to your pocket. Access your email, Cougar Courses, Campus ID, health and wellness, and more with just a couple of taps. You can also sign up for personalized notifications.
-
7. Get your Digital Campus ID
Find your digital Campus ID on the Campus app and easily sign in to services and events—no need for plastic!
-
8. Ask CougarBot a Question
Our chatbot, CougarBot, can answer your questions 24/7. All you have to do is text it. Just remember to update your mobile phone number in your Student Center if you haven't already!
Virtual Collaboration & Learning Resources
Virtual Courses and Collaboration
-
Cougar Courses (Online Courses via Moodle)
Cougar Courses is the primary LMS in use at CSUSM. Students can access their courses from anywhere with an internet connection.
-
Email
Student email is managed by the campus using Gmail (Google Apps for Students).
-
Microsoft Teams (Virtual Instruction & Collaboration)
Invite everyone you work with to chat, meet, call, and collaborate all in one place, no matter where you are.
IMPORTANT: When you sign in to Teams, skip the Cougars part of your email (username@csusm.edu, NOT username@cougars.csusm.edu).
-
Using Video Conferencing (Zoom)
Zoom is a virtual conferencing tool. In addition to hosting and recording meetings, Zoom can be used for office hours, live lectures, and recording microlectures. Students can use it to communite with classmates, study groups, work on group projects, and record presentations.
Software and File Sharing
-
Scanning Documents & Creating Presentations Using Your Phone
You can scan documents/textbooks and turn them into a PDF by using either the Adobe Scan app or the Office app. Adobe Scan offers easy PDF scanning that also automatically recognizes the text (therefore increasing accessibility). Remember to sign in with your campus account.
-
Adobe Scan Guide — Once you save a PDF, click on Share, Share a Copy, and then either email it to yourself or upload it to your OneDrive if you have OneDrive on your phone.
The Office app also allows for scanning documents into PDFs but also allows for scanning a table and turning it automatically into an Excel spreadsheet, scanning a document into a Word document, and even creating a PowerPoint presentation straight from your phone. The app also lets you see all your OneDrive documents in one place. Remember to sign in with your campus account.
Google Drive Android
The Google Drive app on your Android phone can scan documents and upload them to your Google Drive. This app does not work on Apple phones.
-
-
Using CougarApps (Online Software)
CougarApps provides access to a rich menu of software applications. CougarApps contains an extensive list of applications supporting faculty, staff and students. Login is required.
-
Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud based platform that includes various applications and services bundled into one location. Applications included are: Word, Excel, Power Point, OneNote, Outlook, Access, OneDrive, SharePoint, Yammer, Visio, Planner, and Teams.
-
File Sharing & Storage
The entire CSUSM campus community has access to OneDrive. One Drive is a component of Microsoft Office 365.
Another alternative is to use Google's productivity tools.
Equipment & Support
-
CougarBot Chatbot
CougarBot is CSUSM's chatbot, a tool that can answer your questions 24/7 either through your cell phone or by using the CougarBot widget on certain websites. Visit the CougarBot page for more information, including how to update your phone number so you can ask CougarBot.
-
Equipment Loan & Return Information
Stay tuned for relevant information.
-
Free Internet & WiFi
If you have a need for reliable internet, please email cio@csusm.edu to inquire on hotspot availability.
The U.S. government has also launched a program to provide broadband to those who need it.
- Charter offers free internet and WiFi services for 60 days to households with college students.
Other companies offer similar programs:
- Offering two months of free Wi-Fi
- First month of internet service free, $9.95 per month afterward for eligible families and discounted refurbished equipment.
- Offering a variety of free or discounted programs
- New customers in households with K-12 and/or college students get two free months of internet and Wi-Fi.
-
Tech Support
Instructional Development or Media Production Contact Information
- Cougar Courses
- Video Conferencing
- CougarApps
- Equipment Borrowing
- Office 365 Applications
- Teams