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Technical Support
IT Guide for Students
UMass Amherst Information Technology offers UMass Amherst students IT services and support, including tech help, free and discounted software, and more.
Technical Support
Blackboard Learn Technical Support is available 24/7. This is the first place you should go if you are having technical problems once you’re logged into Blackboard.
The UMass Amherst IDEAS Team (Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support) is your second line of defense if you need more help than Blackboard support can provide. Contact them Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time at 413-545-9583 – @email
Can’t log into Blackboard? Only UMass Information Technology can help with that.
Moodle is managed by Information Technology, which offers a Quick Tour of Moodle to help you find your way around, a series of Moodle support articles on different topics, and instructions for how to access and log into Moodle.
The Information Technology (IT) Help Center can help you with technical problems related to Moodle.
Contact them Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time at 413-545-9400, @email, live chat, or submit a help request. Email them from your student email address, identify yourself as a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student, and include your student number.
The Information Technology (IT) Help Center can help you with technical problems with your SPIRE and email accounts, and can help you add your student email account to your smartphone. They can also help if you can’t log into Blackboard.
Contact them Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time at 413-545-9400, @email, live chat, or submit a help request. Email them from your student email address, identify yourself as a UWW Interdisciplinary Studies student, and include your student number.
Computer Requirements
To take your courses online, you’ll need:
- high-speed internet
- a computer robust enough to run a current operating system and browser (Blackboard is not compatible with the iPad or mobile devices).
- a recent version of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
- to meet recommended computer requirements (Mac, Windows)
- a browser supported by Blackboard
Get a New Computer
If your computer does not meet basic requirements, you will need to invest in a new one using excess financial aid or personal funds. Explore the UMass Amherst Dell and Apple catalogs for possible discounts. In certain circumstances, it may be useful to contact Financial Aid Services to increase your cost of attendance for the purchase of a new computer.
Free Software
As a UMass Amherst student, Microsoft Office 365 Education and other software are available to you for free through UMass Information Technology (IT).
