What is Webex Teams?

Webex Teams is a messaging and meeting solution that puts all the communications and information sharing tools you need in one place. Webex Teams is redefining the way people meet and collaborate. It’s a platform that promotes a secure workspace where teams can contribute any time, from any device with video meetings, group messaging, file sharing, and whiteboarding. Conversations and work sync across all platforms, allowing knowledge sharing, document uploading, and stronger collaboration.

Our Information Technology Services (ITS) department has decided to release this tool ahead of schedule because of the tremendous value it offers for remote learning, teaching, and working during this unprecedented time. Since the college had to launch the tool earlier than expected, you will be able to message and talk to teammates, but won’t be able to call-in to them from an outside phone number. In addition, the ITS team is working on integrating the tool’s calendar feature to be made available in the near future.

What are the benefits of Webex Teams?

 

  • easy group and 1-1 messaging
  • persistent, threaded discussions
  • substantial reduction in email
  • collaboration spaces
  • synchronous text-based conversations
  • easily call individuals or groups on Webex Teams
  • 1-click video conferencing (with recording)
  • Blackboard integration
  • mobile and desktop apps
  • interact with students
  • customized notifications

Perhaps the greatest value of Webex Teams during this unprecedented time is the ease with which it reinforces the fact that we are one college, one community, one family. The tool’s messaging and conference features provide a way to keep connections strong across the college, which supports the emotional health and well-being of Central Piedmont’s employees and students during this pandemic.

To Get Started

All Central Piedmont faculty, staff, and students already have accounts:

  1. Download the app from Webex. (If you are using a device that can’t install applications, such as a Chromebook, go to teams.webex.com.)
  2. Enter your college email.
  3. Enter your college username and password.

Resources

Be Professional in Your Communications

As you work in Webex Teams, please keep in mind that this is an official college application/tool — you must adhere to the ethics and values of the college, and remain professional in all of your communications. All content is stored indefinitely and is reviewable by the college, discoverable, and subject to a public records request, regardless of whether it was made in a private or public space. Please refer to college policy 6.20 as a reminder about acceptable technology use at Central Piedmont.

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact Academic Technology Services through the ITS Help Desk to schedule an appointment at helpdesk@cpcc.edu or 704.330.5000.

Thank you for helping make the Webex Teams roll-out a success.

Don’t give up — we’re here to help you succeed

This is the first week of online learning for many of our students — and the first week of online teaching for many of our instructors. We want to say, “thank you” for your patience, but we also don’t want you to struggle needlessly. If you’re having trouble with online learning, we want to do all we can to ensure you continue in your classes and complete the semester.

There are links to online learning resources for you at our LearnRemotely.cpcc.edu webpage​. This is where you can get more info and tutorials about Blackboard (the college’s online Learning Management System to deliver classes), Webex Meetings and Webex Teams tools, MyCollege, and Central Piedmont Cloud.

Here are some other helpful links to the different kinds of support we can provide remotely during this time:

Don’t hesitate to contact your instructor — they are here to help you, as well — and if you’re having any trouble at all, call our Information Center at 704.330.2722 during business hours or submit your questions online for help.

With so much uncertainty around us right now, we’re still here to help keep you on track, so you can be one step closer to achieving your academic goals when this crisis has passed. We’re all in this together. Don’t give up. We can do this!

5 Tips for Online Learning

Online classes are a great option to help earn your degree and fulfill your academic goals. Though they come with unique challenges, here are 5 Online Learning Tips to help you succeed in your classes this semester:
  1. Develop a schedule: Commit to making your online coursework part of your weekly routine by creating a schedule to stay on task. Designate specific hours to studying, reading, and completing assignments.
  2. Set specific goals: Establish a routine by organizing your day with goals. Set reminders for yourself to complete assignments and try allowing yourself a certain amount of time to complete tasks.
  3. Get connected: Interact with your instructors, classmates and peers virtually. Be intentional about staying connected to others – this will help keep you accountable and engaged.
  4. Create a designated study space: Setting up a designated workspace – whether its a kitchen table, bedroom or office – will help you establish a routine, keep you organized, and boost your productivity.
  5. Stay healthy: Improve your academic performance by taking care of your mental and physical health. Allow time for the things you enjoy doing and incorporate healthy habits like regular exercise, getting plenty of rest and eating healthy meals.

Please remember to check your college email often for communication from your instructors and the college. Making the transition to online courses on short notice is a challenge, but please know your instructors and student services staff members are here to help.

The college has created a comprehensive Web page with resources to help you during this transition. Visit learnremotely.cpcc.edu to discover what you need to know if your courses have moved online.

Online Courses and Remote Student Services This Week

During your extended Spring Break, Central Piedmont staff and faculty have been working around the clock to transition thousands of courses to online delivery. We know many of you need help and have questions. Please know your instructors and student services staff members are here to assist. All student services are available online or by phone. Please use the college website to find the service you need, and don’t hesitate to call or email.

We ask for your patience and understanding while we navigate this transition together. You may experience some delays, but we promise to respond to your questions and concerns as quickly as possible. Please remember to:

  • Go online.The college has created a comprehensive Web page with resources to help you during this transition. Visit learnremotely.cpcc.edu to discover what you need to know if you’re taking online courses, or if your courses have moved online.
  • Check your college email often for communication from your instructors and the college. This is the college’s official channel of communication, and we will provide email updates as soon as the information becomes available.
  • Visit the college’s COVID-19 Web page to review all announcements and instructions related to the coronavirus.
  • Download the Central Piedmont Mobile app for your phone from the App store or the Google Play app store. This is a convenient way to access news, Blackboard, MyCollege, and your college email account.
  • Stay connected with Central Piedmont social media. This is a fast, easy way to stay up-to-date.

We remain dedicated to preserving the health, safety, and academic needs of our students. Thank you, and we look forward to serving you this week and the weeks to come.

Advisory: In-person classes suspended; remote student services available

The college has suspended in-person classes in an effort to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. We’re partnering with local and state leaders on this comprehensive effort that’s requiring immediate action in every community. We’re doing all we can to keep our students, faculty, staff, and community as safe as possible. Please understand that the situation remains fluid, and we really appreciate your patience and flexibility.

Important Reminders

As a reminder, spring break for students has been extended one week, until March 23. The college is open but students should not report to campus.

Please remember: The short sessions of classes that were originally scheduled to begin March 16 have been moved to start next week on Monday, March 23. Registration for these 4-week and 8-week short sessions has been extended to March 22. Eligible students can use financial aid to buy books and supplies online for the second short session courses at Central Piedmont’s Barnes & Noble College bookstores. Since these are short session courses, it’s especially important to log in as soon as your classes start and begin work.

On March 23, the majority of our courses will resume online. Students enrolled in these classes should start receiving communication from instructors with details about how we will work to help you achieve your academic goals the best we can during this unprecedented situation. Check your college email often for communication from your instructors and the college concerning your classes next week.

Online Resources

The college has created a comprehensive Web page with resources to help serve students’ educational needs and provide tools for working and collaborating online.

Visit learnremotely.cpcc.edu to discover what you need to know if you’re taking online courses or if your courses are moved online.

During the coronavirus situation, Charter Communications is temporarily offering free access to Spectrum Internet. Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students, faculty, and staff who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. To enroll call 1.844.488.8395.

Campus Services and Access

 Student-facing offices will remain operational remotely to support you during this time. All student services are available online or by phone, and dedicated staff and faculty will respond to emails, voicemails and online inquiries as soon as possible. Please be patient as we all navigate this transition together.

  • The Single Stop Office is available online or by phone to help connect students to a variety of basic needs support. Please email singlestop@cpcc.edu or call 704.330.6435 for more information.

 

  • The Academic Learning Center will continue to provide free online tutoring services to curriculum-level students. Student can schedule appointments online, call 704.330.6474 or email alc@cpcc.edu for more information.

 

  • Counseling Services will continue to address the needs for Pre-Health Program advisement, Probation and Suspension students, and personal counseling through phone and WebEx appointments. Please email counseling@cpcc.edu to request further information. Students experiencing a mental health crisis should call 911.

 

  • Students who need enrollment help or have general questions can contact First Year Experience. Please email fye@cpcc.edu or call 704.330.6100.

 

  • The Library is open virtually and available to provide online, email, text or chat support to students. Visit the Library’s website to learn more about availability and services.

 

  • Both the college’s Information Center (704.330.2722) and Information Technology Services Help Desk (704.330.5000 / helpdesk@cpcc.edu) are open by phone and email during weekdays. Please submit questions online here. Students experiencing issues accessing technology can call the ITS Help Desk.

 

Federal Work Study Employees

Federal Work-Study (FWS) employees will continue to be paid monthly during the emergency period if they are unable to work due to college restrictions. The Financial Aid office will determine the total monthly Federal Work Study pay amount on an individual basis. Prior monthly Federal Work Study hours earned during the 2019-20 academic period will be considered.

 Graduation Ceremonies

We know that graduation ceremonies are on the minds of our students who are completing programs this semester. We are working to determine the best course of action and will update you as soon as we can.

On-Campus Events

By recommendation of Gov. Cooper, college-related events and large gatherings will be cancelled or postponed through April 30. Several departments are exploring remote learning methods and virtual options for programs. Students participating in college affiliated programs, groups, and clubs will be contacted directly with updates on virtual alternatives as they become available.

It is extremely important to stay connected and informed during this time. Visit the college’s COVID-19 Web page to review all announcements and instructions.

Again, please ensure you monitor your college email often as we will update conditions as soon as the information becomes available. We strongly recommend downloading the Central Piedmont Mobile app for your phone from the App store or the Google Play app store. This is a convenient way to access news, Blackboard, MyCollege, and your college email account. Finally, please connect with Central Piedmont social media. This is a fast, easy way to stay up-to-date.

This is new territory for the college, but we remain flexible in discovering ways to help our students complete the semester and to keep the college operating. We appreciate the patience of our students and their families as well as Central Piedmont faculty and staff as we work to preserve the health, safety, and academic needs of our students.