Academic Technology Tools and Access for Students
Learn how to access the university-supported technology tools that may be used in your courses at North Carolina A&T State University.
Overview
North Carolina A&T provides students with access to academic technology tools that support learning, course assignments, video presentations, testing, collaboration, accessibility, surveys, and professional development.
The tools available to you may vary by course. Some tools can be accessed directly using your OneID credentials, while others will only appear after an instructor adds or enables them in Canvas.
Start With Your Instructor’s Directions
Always follow the access instructions provided by your instructor. Your instructor determines which academic tools will be used, where activities are located, assignment requirements, due dates, and acceptable submission methods.
Canvas and the Fall 2026 Transition
Canvas becomes North Carolina A&T’s official learning management system beginning with the Fall 2026 semester. Students can sign in to Canvas now using their OneID credentials. Fall 2026 courses will become available to students on the first day of fall classes.
During the transition, some university resources may still contain references to Blackboard. For Fall 2026 courses, begin with Canvas and follow the directions provided by your instructor.
Select a section below to view additional information.
Before Using Academic Technology Tools ▼
- Confirm that your OneID username and password work.
- Set up and maintain access to the university’s required multifactor authentication method.
- Check your university email regularly for course information and access invitations.
- Use a currently supported web browser and install available browser updates.
- Install operating system and security updates on your computer.
- Allow pop-ups, cookies, camera access, or microphone access when required by a trusted academic tool.
- Test your webcam, microphone, speakers, and internet connection before a class meeting, presentation, or exam.
- Do not wait until an assignment or exam is due to open a required tool for the first time.
- Save your work and maintain a backup of important assignments.
- Do not share your OneID password or verification codes with anyone.
Recommended: Open required tools and complete any practice activity provided by your instructor before the graded activity begins.
Canvas: Courses, Assignments, Grades, and Communication ▼
Canvas is North Carolina A&T’s official learning management system beginning Fall 2026. Instructors may use Canvas to provide course materials, announcements, assignments, discussions, quizzes, grades, and links to other academic tools.
Student Access and Training
- Visit ncat.instructure.com.
- Sign in using your OneID credentials.
- Select Courses to view your available courses.
Students also have access to the Passport to Canvas self-paced training and the Student Canvas Resource Hub. These resources are available under Courses in Canvas. If the courses are not available, click the following links to self-enroll: Passport to Canvas Student Canvas Resource Hub
Things to Know
- Fall 2026 courses will be available to students on the first day of fall classes.
- A course may not appear before the instructor publishes it.
- Course design and navigation may vary by instructor.
- The Canvas Student mobile application can be used to view courses, submit certain assignments, and receive notifications.
- A laptop or desktop computer may still be required for exams, specialized assignments, or activities that are not fully supported by the mobile application.
- Official final grades remain available through the university’s official student records system.
Access Canvas
Video, Presentations, and Multimedia Tools ▼
Panopto
Panopto is the university’s video content management system. Students may use Panopto to:
- View class recordings and instructional videos
- Revisit course demonstrations and complex topics
- Record presentations or demonstrations
- Upload video assignments when directed by an instructor
Direct access: Visit ncat.hosted.panopto.com. Make sure NCAT OneID appears in the sign-in menu, select Sign in, and use your OneID credentials.
Course access: Open the applicable course in Canvas and follow the instructor’s directions to locate the Panopto video, assignment, or course folder.
GoReact
GoReact is a video assessment tool that allows students to record or upload presentations, performances, demonstrations, and other skill-based assignments. Instructors can provide time-coded text, audio, or video feedback.
Access: Open the GoReact assignment from the location provided by your instructor in Canvas. Students normally access GoReact through the course assignment rather than creating a separate activity independently.
Before recording:
- Allow the browser to access your camera and microphone.
- Test your audio, video, lighting, and internet connection.
- Review the recording and submission requirements.
- Allow enough time for the video to upload and process.
Class for Zoom
An instructor may use Class for Zoom for live online meetings, virtual instruction, office hours, presentations, or group activities.
Access: Use the meeting or course link provided by your instructor. Sign in with your university account when directed.
- Join early enough to test your microphone, speakers, and camera.
- Use headphones when possible to reduce background noise and echo.
- Make sure your display name allows the instructor to identify you.
- Follow the instructor’s expectations for cameras, microphones, chat, recording, and participation.
- Do not share course meeting links publicly.
VoiceThread
VoiceThread allows instructors and students to interact with multimedia presentations using text, audio, and video comments.
Access: VoiceThread is available only when it is added to a course by an instructor and an applicable license is available. Open the VoiceThread activity from the location provided in Canvas.
Accessibility and Learning Resources ▼
Ally Alternative Formats
Ally can create alternative versions of eligible course files. Available formats may include tagged PDFs, HTML, electronic braille, audio, ePub, and other accessible options.
Access: When alternative formats are available, select the Alternative Formats icon beside the course file and choose the format that best supports your learning needs.
- Available formats depend on the original file.
- Generating a format may take several minutes.
- Alternative formats do not replace approved academic accommodations.
- Contact your instructor if a course file is inaccessible or an alternative format is unavailable.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning provides students with on-demand video courses covering technology, business, creative skills, professional development, certifications, and other topics.
Access: Visit linkedinlearning.ncat.edu and sign in using your university credentials.
Instructors may also place LinkedIn Learning videos or courses inside Canvas.
Access LinkedIn Learning
Surveys, Collaboration, and Course Participation ▼
Qualtrics
Qualtrics is a web-based survey platform available to North Carolina A&T students, faculty, and staff. Students may use Qualtrics for approved coursework, academic projects, or research activities.
Access: Visit ncat.qualtrics.com and sign in using your OneID credentials.
Research notice: Access to Qualtrics does not automatically authorize you to collect research data. Follow instructor, department, Institutional Review Board, privacy, and data-handling requirements when applicable.
Padlet
Padlet allows students to participate in interactive boards used for brainstorming, discussions, resource sharing, reflection, and collaborative activities.
Access: Use the Padlet link provided by your instructor. Follow the instructor’s directions regarding sign-in, posting, commenting, file uploads, and identification.
University licenses are limited and are primarily managed for instructors. Students should not independently purchase a license unless specifically directed to do so.
Qwickly Course Tools and Attendance
Qwickly tools may be used for course communication and attendance. Depending on the instructor’s setup, students may use Qwickly to email instructors or complete an attendance check-in from a personal device.
Access: Open the applicable Canvas course and follow the location and instructions provided by your instructor.
- Complete attendance check-ins only during the period established by the instructor.
- Do not attempt to check in for another student.
- Contact the instructor promptly if the attendance activity does not appear or an error occurs.
- The instructor determines attendance rules and makes decisions about attendance records.
Online Testing and Assignment Tools ▼
Respondus LockDown Browser
Respondus LockDown Browser is a specialized browser that may be required for an online exam. It restricts access to other applications, websites, printing, copying, and standard browser functions while the exam is in progress.
Access: Install the North Carolina A&T-specific version using the university-provided download link or the instructions included with the exam. Do not download a version intended for another institution.
- LockDown Browser cannot be installed on a mobile phone.
- Chromebook support requires the appropriate Chromebook extension.
- ALEKS uses a separate version of LockDown Browser.
- Respondus in ALEKS is not available for Chromebooks.
- Complete any practice exam provided by the instructor before the graded exam.
- Close unnecessary applications before launching the exam.
- Install updates and restart the computer before the scheduled testing period.
Download the N.C. A&T Version of Respondus LockDown Browser
Respondus Monitor
Respondus Monitor may be used with LockDown Browser to record a student’s webcam and microphone during an online exam.
- A functioning webcam and microphone are required.
- Complete the required webcam and environment checks.
- Follow the instructor’s identification and testing-environment instructions.
- Address technical problems before beginning the graded exam whenever possible.
SafeAssign
SafeAssign is an originality-checking tool that compares submitted assignments with other sources and generates an originality report.
Access: Submit the assignment through the location provided by your instructor in Canvas. SafeAssign is available only when enabled for the assignment.
- An originality score is not automatically a determination of plagiarism.
- Review citation and assignment requirements before submitting.
- The instructor determines how the originality report will be used.
- Contact the instructor with questions about the report, citations, resubmissions, or grading.
How Student Access Is Provided
| Access Type |
Examples |
What Students Should Do |
| Direct university access |
Canvas, Panopto, LinkedIn Learning, and Qualtrics |
Visit the university-specific site and sign in using OneID credentials. |
| Instructor-enabled access |
GoReact, SafeAssign, Qwickly, VoiceThread, Padlet, and certain Panopto activities |
Open the activity from the course and follow the instructor’s directions. |
| Installation required |
Respondus LockDown Browser and certain meeting applications |
Install and test the required application before the assignment or exam begins. |
If You Cannot Access a Tool
- Confirm that you are using your correct OneID username and password.
- Sign out, close the browser, and sign in again.
- Use a current version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari when supported.
- Clear the browser cache and cookies or try a private browsing window.
- Allow pop-ups, cookies, camera access, and microphone access when required.
- Try accessing the tool from inside the applicable Canvas course.
- Review the instructor’s directions and verify that the activity is available.
- Capture a screenshot of the complete error message.
- Record the course name, course section, instructor, assignment, tool, date, time, browser, and device being used.
Course Question or Technical Problem?
- Contact your instructor about missing courses, unavailable assignments, due dates, grades, submission requirements, attendance records, or permission to resubmit.
- Contact the IT Service Desk for OneID, login, access, browser, installation, or other technical problems.
- Contact ITTD for additional guidance involving instructional technology tools when directed.
- Contact Canvas support for specific "how to" Canvas questions.
Need Technical Assistance?
When requesting assistance, include the name of the academic tool, course, instructor, assignment, device, browser, and the complete error message.