Resources for Students
Missouri State University has many resources to assist with online and remote learning. Below are some of the resources available to students, and the Student Success team is also available to help with any concerns or questions you may have.
Connectivity Options
The University understands that not all students will have access to the Internet while away from campus, but there are options for getting you connected.
WiFi Hotspots
If you do not have Internet access at home but you are taking online classes, the Student Success team has WiFi hotspots available for student use. These are available by request and subject to availability. Fill out the Hotspot Request Form to borrow one for the semester.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. If your household is eligible, you can receive:
- Up to a $30/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. To receive the connected device discount, consumers need to enroll in the program with a participating provider that offers connected devices (not all service providers offer device discounts). The service provider will provide the discount to the consumer.
In addition to the above program, many public libraries provide free WiFi and computer access , and many other local businesses, such as restaurants and cafes, also offer free WiFi to their customers. If you are local to the Springfield, MO area, the Missouri State University Meyer Library offers free WiFi, computer access, and a computer lab operated by the Computer Services Help Desk on the first floor. You can also review solutions for free or low-cost internet for students, which many providers offer.
Brightspace/Desire2Learn (D2L)
Brightspace is the University's academic learning management system (LMS). Faculty can use Brightspace to offer course content for online, seated, and hybrid courses. If your instructor is using Brightspace, simply go to https://brighstpace.missouristate.edu and log in with your Missouri State Account ID and Password to get started.
Training and Support
The Help Desk Service Portal and online Knowledge Base offer extended support for Brightspace.
Visit the Help Desk Service Portal and Online Knowledge Base
Brighstpace Tools
Brightspace offers a variety of tools and features to enhance and facilitate online learning.
Web Conferencing with Brighstpace Virtual Classroom
The University provides the use of Brighstpace Virtual Classroom, an online scheduled meeting tool where students can learn, communicate, and collaborate using livestream video coordinated by the instructor. Brighstpace Virtual Classroom offers students the opportunity to:
- Scheduled Meetings: Attend a Virtual Classroom meeting (with both MSU and external participants, like a guest speaker).
- Recording: Record sessions, then archive or submit as assignment videos.
- Desktop Share: Share an application or additional resource through your desktop.
- Upload Presentations: Upload a presentation or present with the whiteboard.
- Annotation Tools: Show & annotate content during live sessions.
- Change Presenters: Multiple people can share and present during the same session.
- Breakout Rooms: Participate in small groups for discussion.
- Polling: Engage with classmates and course content via online polls.
- Live Chat: Facilitate conversation & questions through text.
- Share Files
Learn more about Brighstpace Virtual Classroom
Discussions, IMs, Blogs, and Student Groups
Brighstpace has several built-in tools that allow for online conversations, reflection, and collaboration.
- Discussions allow for threaded conversations via forums.
- Instant Messaging allows students to chat with classmates and instructors.
- Blogs allow students to create content to share with the class.
- Groups allow students to use the above tools to collaborate on coursework and content.
Learn more about Brighstpace's communication and collaboration tools
Assessment
Faculty can evaluate student work and progress directly within Brightspace using the built-in assessment tools.
- Take tests and quizzes online
- Submit files for assignments, including papers, presentations, spreadsheets, and other media.
- Surveys allow for student feedback and evaluation.
- Self Assessments allow students to participate in online self reflection and evaluation.
- Grades tool allows students to track their grades and progress in each course.
Learn more about using the assessment tools in Brighstpace
Microsoft 365 Education
The University provides licenses for Microsoft 365 Education to all faculty, staff, and students. This powerful suite of tools provides several options for online learning.
Training and Support
Microsoft has extensive online video training and current students can peruse the vast library of Microsoft training offered on LinkedIn Learning. The Help Desk Service Portal and online Knowledge Base offer extended support for Microsoft 365 Education.
Visit the Help Desk Service Portal and Online Knowledge Base
Email with Outlook Online
When learning and working remotely, email is a crucial communication tool. Students should ensure they know how to access their email and check it regularly on outlook.office.com.
The most important thing to remember is that your email address is not the same as your login username for accessing email. Students will login to email with their Microsoft 365 Login, formatted as AccountID@Login.MissouriState.edu or AccountID@Live.MissouriState.edu, depending on when your account was created. See the below instructions for more information.
How to Login to Microsoft 365 Email
Microsoft Teams
The Microsoft Teams application allows faculty to create online, collaborative Teams for their courses and students. Teams offers the following features:
- Web and video conferencing via Teams meetings. Screen share, use a whiteboard, take notes, record sessions for later viewing, and more during Teams meetings.
- Audio conferencing for when the web and mobile apps are unavailable or inaccessible.
- Post conversations and announcements.
- Create different Channels within the Team for different topics/purposes.
- Share files with the Team.
- Incorporate other Microsoft 365 applications into the Team.
Learn more about Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Stream
Microsoft Stream is an internal video streaming service for University users. This application allows students to:
- Watch course videos shared by your instructor
- Upload videos for course work, presentations, etc.
- Utilize the automated transcription/captioning feature to create accessible videos.
- Share videos privately within Microsoft Teams or Brightspace.
Learn more about Microsoft Stream
Microsoft 365 Web Apps
Microsoft 365 Education includes free downloads of the full Office suite for home use, but it also includes access to the Office web applications for Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote.
- Word Online - This application allows you to collaborate with other users in real-time while working on documents. Easily share with other University users and incorporate them into other applications, like Microsoft Teams.
- PowerPoint Online - Create presentations and easily capture video/audio. You can share with other University users and even export presentations to Microsoft Stream.
- Excel Online - Collaborative and individual workbooks for creating spreadsheets and managing data. Easily share with other University users and incorporate them into other applications, like Microsoft Teams.
- OneNote Online/Class Notebook - Use virtual notebooks for collaboration, individual course work, note taking, and more. OneNote can be utilized within Microsoft Teams, and Class Notebooks can be set up by an instructor and used with Brightspace.
Learn more about the Microsoft 365 Web Apps
LEARN MORE ABOUT INSTALLING MICROSOFT 365 APPS
Zoom
Zoom is a third-party web and video conferencing technology used by many University departments and units for distance learning purposes. Zoom allows students to:
- Join online class sessions and meetings
- Call into sessions when internet is slow or inaccessible
- Chat with other students and your instructor
- Share tools and files
- Participate in student breakout groups and collaboration
- Use a whiteboard to illustrate course content and concepts
Training and Support
The Computer Services Help Desk is the first point of contact for Zoom support.