Ensign Peak Academy uses online platforms for learning, teaching and communication. This page identifies the technology needed to participate in our programs.
Mentor and Student Technology Needs and Requirements
Review the following hardware, software, connectivity, internet bandwidth, speed and applications necessary for the platforms used for our programs.
Canvas
Canvas is a learning management system used by Ensign Peak Academy. It is where students access lesson content, submit assignments, take quizzes, take proctored final exams and view grades and feedback. It is also used for communication between students and mentors, via the Canvas inbox.
Review the following computer and browser requirement:
Browser and Computer Requirements for Canvas
Zoom
Make sure your technology meets the Zoom System Requirements.
Please review the Zoom Audio, Video and Sharing procedures.
For optimal participation, it is preferable that you use a USB headset with a microphone. An ethernet connection works better than wifi. Audio connection through your computer works better than using a phone, but you can use a phone.
Word Processing Software
All students need access to word processing software. Microsoft Word is recommended. Google Docs works well. Any word processing software that allows a document to be converted to a PDF file will also work. Students create and save assignments on their own device before uploading to Canvas.
It is also helpful to have software that allows for the creation of slideshows. PowerPoint works well. Google Slides also works well. Students are occasionally asked to create slideshows as an assignment.
Gmail
All students are encouraged to use a Gmail address for their Canvas account in order to most conveniently view the Google Slides that form an important part of each lesson, and the math videos. An alternate link is provided for students who do not have or wish to use Gmail. If you do not already have a Gmail account, please use this link to obtain an account: https://accounts.google.com/signup
It is school policy that all written communications between students and mentors take place within the Canvas inbox and not through personal email accounts.
If your students is under age 13, please make a separate email for the student, but with you, the parent, as the owner. The legal issue comes down to who owns the account, not who uses the account. When your child turns 13, you may change ownership over to them. We also recommend that parents, whether students are under thirteen or not, have all messages from a minor’s email forward to the parents email. Here are the directions for how to do that.
Internet Safety for Online Students
The following presentation by Diann Jeppson and Kimberly Bingham will assist parents in preparing their students for a safe and enriching online learning experience:
Internet Safety for Online Students
Internet Filtering and Monitoring
We strongly recommend that every family in our school community purchase and use an internet filtering and monitoring service. Our surveys and service comparisons conclude the Router Limits is an excellent service.
To prevent distractions, we request that parents block notifications and access to all social media platforms during their student’s live classes. In addition, we request that students leave personal cell phones in a different room during their live classes.
Attending an online school simply means that your students will be online more often. We strive to provide students with a variety of off-line assignments, projects, experiments, interviews, books to read and fun things to create. When they are online, let’s be safe.
Since we embed YouTube videos in our Canvas lessons, we strongly recommend that you block ads. AdBlock is a recommended free service. Configure AdBlock to prevent thumbnails on the video after viewing. Here are simple instructions.