Below is an overview of the services UMass Amherst Information Technology offers faculty and instructors in support of teaching and learning. For a complete list of IT services, see our Services page.
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IT Accounts: Your Passport to Technology Services
Your IT Account NetID and password give you access to most computing services on campus, including the Student Information System (SPIRE), the university’s learning management systems, library resources, free software downloads, internet access, and much more.
IT Accounts
Take the Instructor's Security Quiz & Access Rosters With Photos
Learn more about the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and related privacy issues in instructional contexts, then take the Instructor's Security Quiz for access to class rosters with photos.
Instructor's Guide to Information Security UMass IT FERPA Certification
Classroom Internet Access
Wired and wireless Internet is available in most campus buildings, including all Registrar-scheduled classrooms. For wired connections, be sure to register your device(s) on the campus network each semester. Use the eduroam wireless network for encrypted wireless access.
Network Connectivity
Protect Personal, Institutional & Research Information
The Information Security Center provides anti-virus software, IT policies, security incident response procedures, and tips for protecting personal and institutional information.
Security Center
Submit Grades
Enter your grades directly in SPIRE or, if you are using Moodle or Blackboard, use our one-click grade upload service to transfer grades to SPIRE to approve at the end of the term.
Grading F.A.Q. Import Grades from Moodle or Blackboard Learn to SPIRE
Classroom Technologies
Use Audio & Video in Your Classroom
Classroom Technology Services (CTS) provides technical support, equipment delivery, and consultation services for faculty and staff using classrooms and auditoriums on campus.
Classroom Technology Services
Record & Deliver Online Lectures
Extend Your Classroom with Video Conferencing
In addition to rooms equipped with video conferencing equipment that can be used to connect classrooms live anywhere in the world, UMass Amherst provides Zoom video conferencing, allowing you to host online meetings from your own computer or device.
Video Conferencing
Use an Audience Response System (Clickers)
Use iClicker to take attendance and engage students, especially in large lectures. See students’ responses to questions instantly and share aggregate responses during the class.
iClicker - Audience Response System
Classrooms & Learning Spaces
Reserve a Computer Classroom
IT maintains Windows and Macintosh classrooms across campus, including experimental classrooms. Instructors can request that additional software be installed on our computers for their courses.
Teach in Team-based & Active Learning Classrooms
Classrooms that facilitate team-based, case study, and other active learning methods are available on campus. Support and training for these rooms is provided through UMass Amherst IT, and the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).
Reserve Instructional Innovation Experimental Learning Spaces Reserve Team-based Learning Classrooms
Assign Multimedia Production & 3D Printing
The Digital Media Lab, located on the 3rd Floor of the W.E.B. Du Bois Library, is a multimedia and 3D print production space designed to support students working on video, audio, animation and 3D modeling. Students can check-out AV equipment and receive individual instruction. Digital Media Lab
Access Assistive Technologies
Online Tools & Services
Host Learning Activities & Course Content in a Learning Management System
Use Canvas, Moodle or Blackboard to collect assignments, share readings, post grades, manage online discussions, deliver quizzes, manage group work, and more.
Request a new Canvas, Moodle, or Blackboard course in SPIRE each semester. Once your course is available, support staff will contact you with next steps for building your course and information on how to get training and help with course design.
Course Eligibility for Requesting an LMS Request a Moodle Course Request a Course in Blackboard Request a Course in Canvas
Store, Share, & Collaborate in the Cloud
UMass Amherst supports two platforms for storing, sharing, and collaborating online, both with unlimited storage. Use Google Workspace, our customized version of Google’s online collaboration tools, to create and edit documents, facilitate team-based projects, maintain class calendars, and create course sites with Google Classroom. Store and share data or collaborate on documents with UMass Box, our most secure solution for data storage.
Google Workspace Secure Online Storage at UMass Amherst
Set Up Email, a Blog & Online Storage for a Course
Create a Course IT Account in SPIRE to get a dedicated WordPress site, Box account, and Google Workspace account with Google Mail for any course you teach.
Create & Manage Course IT Accounts
Use OWL for Online Homework
Online Web-based Learning (OWL) is a homework tool developed at UMass Amherst that allows students to complete assignments, quizzes, and tests online.
To request OWL, email owl-it-help@it.umass.edu.
Provide Feedback & Assess Originality of Student Writing with Turnitin
Assess the originality of student work and ensure the proper citation of references by comparing student submissions to online sources and the Turnitin database. Focus on citation and quotation in a positive and constructive manner. Provide feedback through rubrics, drag-and-drop commenting, and audio commenting.
Turnitin in Moodle Turnitin in BlackboardTurnitin in Canvas
Stay Informed & Get Help
Instructional Innovation
UMass Amherst Information Technology's Instructional Innovation group is dedicated to helping instructors meet their key instructional goals through the appropriate use of technologies, from tried-and-true to cutting edge.
Attend a workshop, peer discussion, or immersive Innovation@ Symposium, and discover new ways to foster collaboration and teamwork, techniques and tools for assigning media and digital content creation, and more.
Instructional Innovation Events Calendar
Instructional Media Lab
Get help with Moodle, Echo360, iClicker, peer evaluation, collaborative learning tools, and more. Schedule an appointment for one-on-one help or get your questions answered via phone or email.
The Instructional Media Lab: Help for Instructors
- Email instruct@umass.edu.
- Call 413-545-2823 (be sure to leave a message).
- Stop by 765 W.E.B. Du Bois Library, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., M - F (except holidays).
- Browse how-to guides from IT’s Support Center.
IT User Services
Your first stop for general computing questions about SPIRE, email, network connectivity, computer hardware and software, and more.
Get in touch with the User Services IT Service Desk
Other Sources for Help
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CTS (Classroom Technology Services) assists with auditorium and classroom equipment: 413-545-5765, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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OWL (Online Web-based Learning) Support: owl-it-help@it.umass.edu.
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Online Education—support for Blackboard: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., M-F: 413-577-3434 (option 1) or facline@uww.umass.edu
More Campus Services for Faculty
Software Discounts
UMass Amherst IT offers free and discounted software, including free anti-virus software, free Microsoft and Adobe software and Windows operating systems. Restrictions apply.
Free & Discounted Software
Computer Repair & Purchasing
Computer Maintenance & Repair Services provides diagnostic and repair services for computers and peripherals. The U$ave program offers competitive rates on desktops, laptops, and accessories for the campus community.
Computer Maintenance & Repair Services U$AVE: Discounts
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)
CTL supports instructional excellence by providing faculty and instructors professional development in course design, classroom instruction, and curriculum development.
Center for Teaching and Learning
UMass Amherst Libraries
Each department or program on campus has a designated liaison librarian who serves as the first point of contact for library-related services including Information Literacy workshops, Electronic Reserves, and Open Educational materials.
UMass Libraries Resources for Teaching & Learning
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