An Introduction to the University online
Get connected to the WiFi network, find computing support and discover more about learning technologies that support your studies.
The University of Edinburgh has a vast array of information and resources available online. This web page is designed to guide you to and introduce some of the resources that you will find very useful, especially in your first year at University.
There are some additional resources on getting started with your studies on the University's New Students website.
How to online information sessions
If you have any questions, please email btostudentsupport@ed.ac.uk and please add the phrase ‘The University online’ to the subject header.
University User Name (UUN) and password
You should have received via email your University username (UUN) and a registration password when you applied to study with us.
Your UUN is always your matriculation number prefixed by the letter "s" e.g. s0912345.
Follow the instructions and set up your login as soon as you can, preferably before welcome week. Read the section below and visit the Information Services web pages for help (directions given below).
When you register your login details, you will tick a box accepting the Universities computing regulations. You must abide by these conditions.
Set up your University WiFi
Task 5 in your "Top 6 Tasks" is to set up your University WiFi. For all campus-based students, there is reliable and free WiFi available across the University estate, including the halls of residence.
My Ed: Edinburgh Student Portal
MyEd is the University of Edinburgh's gateway to web based services within and beyond the University.
Your Office365 account is how you will access your University email account so you must ensure you have activated your Office365 email (available to do so 6 weeks before you begin).
- Go to the University of Edinburgh Office365 website
- Click the green Activate button
- Enter your login username and password
All active University staff and students are entitled to download, install and activate up to 5 copies of the standalone Microsoft Office software on personal computers or mobile devices for the duration of their time at the University.
Your University email account is accessed through Outlook as part of Microsoft’s Office 365 suite. You can easily access your email account from your MyEd home page.
If you have any problems setting up Office365, please contact the Information Services Helpline:
- Self Service: UniDesk Self-service problem and incident portal
- Email: IS.Helpline@ed.ac.uk
- Telephone: 0131 651 51 51
The University is committed to delivering 'whole-class' timetable information (e.g. lectures) and 'sub-group' timetable information (e.g. tutorials, labs etc.) to all students.
Task 2 in your New Student "Top 6 Tasks" is to access your timetable.
Office 365 Calendar
Your calendar will be automatically updated to show courses and events that you have signed up for. You can add other appointments such as meetings with PTs or study groups with other students, or personal events like dental appointments, so you can see how they fit around your timetable.
As this is accessed directly from your MyEd home page, and is accessible along with your email on mobile devices, this is the timetable you will probably use the most.
What is Learn and why should I use it?
Learn is your online learning environment – a website that academic and administrative staff can use to publish course information to support your learning.
We hope that Learn will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all the course information you need in Biological Sciences. This means all information should be in a single location, making it easier for you to find.
It is important you familiarise yourself with Learn quickly. This is where lecturers and course organisers will post content such as:
- lecture videos, notes and slides
- questions and topics for converstation using discussion forums
- additional information and advice needed to complete particular tasks
- assessment drop boxes to submit work electronically
- course quizzes
- announcements where staff can share important information
You can log in to Learn from practically anywhere and are not restricted to being physically on campus. It is a place where you can share resources and knowledge with others on your course.
You can access Learn via MyEd and you should have a Learn channel on your MyEd home page as in the picture on the right.
Collaborate
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is a virtual meeting and conference room built into Learn. Each of your courses has a specific separate room which may be used for live streamed group meetings with academics and fellow students.
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Help for Participants
Turnitin: Submitting Coursework
Your electronic coursework submissions will be through Turnitin on the course Learn page.
Microsoft Teams is a secure hub for 1:1 or group chat and audio/video meetings with up to 250 participants, and it seamlessly integrates with the University Outlook address book, Calendar and other Office 365 apps like MS Planner, Word, Excel, OneNote and much more.
There is lots of detailed yet easy to follow information to get you started with Teams on the Information Services website
Wooclap is an online voting system used to poll groups of students in a lecture or tutorial session. When it's used there will be an "event" set up that you can access via a QR code or a customisable short URL.
Depending on how the event is set up you will join in one of three ways:
- Anonymous - no log in is required and participants are completely anonymous.
- Participant username - no log in is required but participants must choose a name for themselves in the event.
- Authenticated - participants will be asked to log into Wooclap with their University log in. Participants are fully identifed in the reporting for the session.
Pebble pad is used to create an electronic portfolio. An e-portfolio is a purposeful collection of digital items, such as ideas, evidence, reflections and feedback, which presents a selected audience with evidence of a person's learning and/or ability.
You can use PebblePad to record, reflect, review, discuss and share your thoughts, feelings, achievements and plans related to any aspect of your learning - formal or informal, structured or serendipitous, institutional or social. You can record your items directly or add multimedia files then arrange, annotate, submit or present these online as you choose.
PebblePad is available to all at the University of Edinburgh, and is accessible through MyEd. Open your ‘Studies’ menu. Under the ‘Learning ‘Resources’ section you will see a link to ‘Study Tools’.
General information (not specifically related to biological science students) about the computer services available at the University of Edinburgh can also be found on the Information services web page.
Setting up a VPN
You can do this to securely access University materials from home.
Printing
EdPrint is the University's centrally-managed personal printing, copying and scanning service.
An excellent Institute within the University of Edinburgh that helps both staff and students become better learners and teachers is the Institute for Academic Development (IAD). Their role includes a mixture of direct support for students and staff (e.g. workshops, online resources, networks and advice), much of it delivered in partnership with Schools and other Services, alongside support for curriculum innovation and enhancement.
You are obviously already a competent learner as you have earned your place at the University. However, study at University is much more independent and often more intense than you may have experienced previously. The IAD offer excellent resources that can help students achieve their goals.