IT essentials

Accessible software (Read&Write)

Read&Write is a FREE literacy support tool that offers help with tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, researching assignments and proofing written work.  It is available to all students and staff at The Gordon.

Find out how to access and use Read & Write

Accessible devices 

A limited number of accessible devices are available at City campus. Contact Disability Inclusion Support  to find out more.

• C Pen
• Alpha Smart Keyboards (x2)
• Laptop (x1) with the following software:
  • Book Wizard Reader - a program to read digital talking books.
  • Dragon Naturally Speaking – Voice to text program.
  • Talking Typer - Keyboard training program.
  • ZoomText 10.1- Magnifier/reader screen reading program.

If you need to find a computer on campus

It is generally recommended that you bring your own device (BYOD) to study at The Gordon.  There are limited devices available during opening hours at The Gordon. If required, you can:

• borrow one for the day from the Gordon Library
• use a desktop PC in the Gordon Library or, where available, in a classroom
• visit a computer room: City (H1.19, behind Customer Service) or East campus (H1.03)

If you need assistance finding a computer to use, please ask the Library staff.

If you bring your own device (BYOD)

Follow the steps below for getting ready to study on campus using your own device.

Choose the right device

If you are considering using your own laptop, use the table of recommendations below to help you in deciding.

*Most courses require general use laptops, however high performance laptops are recommended for courses in the following teaching areas

• Advanced Design and Building
• Cybersecurity (Windows PC)
• Design Fundamentals (Graphic Design)
• Graphic Design
• Information Technology

If you are unsure, please ask your course contact prior to purchasing.

Download software and configure your device

• Download and install Microsoft 365 for free (for current students) to access a range of Microsoft products and cloud storage.  Find out more on ‘Microsoft 365’ below.
• Students are responsible for the configuration of personal equipment
• Note: if you need to use Adobe Creative Cloud software for your course, you can access this from The Gordon’s computers on campus.  Classroom computers have selected software available as needed for your course. Adobe Creative Cloud is not provided by The Gordon to BYOD.

Charge your device

• Fully charge your device before bringing it to class. A limited number of power points are available in common areas if you need them. You will need your own charger.

Keep your device secure

• Protect your device by enabling a lock screen for your device and PIN or password. 
• Before connecting your own device to The Gordon network, ensure you have the latest operating system, antivirus, internet browsers and updates installed on your computer, laptop or device. 

Online classes

• If you have online classes, it is recommended to have two screens so that you can access your online class (eg. Zoom) as well as your course content.

Connect to the internet

• When on campus, set up and connect your device to the eduroam WiFi network to access The Gordon’s wireless network.  You will need to authenticate using your Gordon email address and password.    If you are using a device that was used in a school, your school IT team will have to reset and remove any school settings first.
  
  The Gordon’s Wi-Fi will allow you to access web-based resources (e.g. Student Portal, Gordon Online, web-based email and general internet access) however You will not be able to access mapped individual drives on your own device via Wi-Fi.
  
  See the Wi-Fi section below for further instructions on how to access the internet on campus.
  
  
• To use your device away from campus you will need to choose an internet provider to access the internet. As the device owner, you are responsible for personal internet set-up costs and ongoing charges off-campus.

Issues and repair

• The Gordon staff are unable to assist with hardware issues or repairs on personal computers or devices.
• To get help, please contact your device supplier or seek third-party assistance. 

The use of mobile devices whilst at The Gordon must abide by the student code of conduct and must not violate laws, including (but not limited) laws and regulations related to;

• intellectual property rights or copyright (for example, taking photos of licenced material without the owners permission)
• invasion of privacy
• sexual harassment
• academic dishonesty (for example, accessing notes or receiving outside assistance to cheat during a test or examination. As per the Student Code of Conduct, Academic dishonesty may result in students having to resit an assessment or re-enrol in their course.

Teachers may restrict the use of mobile devices to specific purposes and may prohibit other uses during class time.  Use may be restricted or banned in certain situations for OHS or privacy reasons.   

Mobile devices must not be used to transfer files to the Gordon network that could contain viruses.

It is a student’s responsibility to use mobile devices in a classroom situation for learning purposes.   Phones should be turned to silent / vibrate when in a teaching environment to avoid distracting others.

Examples of possible allowed activities;

• accessing course relevant material or websites
• using a device camera/microphone to record instructions or prepare and store assessment material.
• in case of an emergency
• in extenuating work or personal circumstances. If you are expecting a call in this instance, you should notify their teacher prior to the commencement of the class. Mobile phones must be on silent (or vibrate); and students should leave the classroom immediately to accept or make such calls.

Examples of typical restricted activities;

• playing games or texting when not directly related to the learning activities

Students may use their mobile devices for personal use during break periods only. 

As a student, you will be provided with a Gordon Email address and you’ll receive Gordon communications to both this email and your personal email.
 The email address is in the format of studentnumber@ gordontafe.edu.au and your Gordon password.

• If you prefer to just keep using your personal email address to avoid missing essential information, you should redirect your Gordon email to your preferred email address.

Print, copy and scan facilities are available at most campuses, except Colac. 

Costs apply for printing and copying. Scanning is free.

If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it via the eCentral login page.

You will need access to the email or mobile phone that is registered to your Gordon account.

1. Go to the eCentral login screen
2. Click on the link “Reset Password”
3. Enter your Student ID, then click “Retrieve Password”. If you have forgotten your Student ID, you will need to Retrieve your Student ID first.
4. You will receive an email and text with a link to reset your password. The link will be valid for 24 hours.

If you have forgotten your Student ID (student number), you can retrieve it via the eCentral login page.

You will need access to the email or mobile phone that is registered to your Gordon account.

1. Go to the eCentral login screen
2. Click on the link “Retrieve Student ID”
3. Enter your personal email address and click “Retrieve Student ID”
4. Your Student ID will be sent to you via email and SMS

All Gordon students can access WiFi on campus by connecting to our eduroam WiFi network.

Once connected, you will also be able to get WiFi when visit other participating institutions by logging in with your Gordon email and password.

How to connect to Gordon Wi-Fi (eduroam)

Gordon Students / Staff:

1. Go to Wi-Fi network options on your device and choose eduroam 
2. Enter your Gordon user name (YourStudentNumber@gordontafe.edu.au) and Gordon Password. 
3. Accept the certificate and approve changes if requested.
4. You should now be connected to the Internet.

Visitors from another eduroam institution

1. Go to Wi-Fi network options on your device and choose eduroam 
2. Enter your email address and password from your home institution.
3. You should now be connected to the Internet.
4. After you log in the first time your device will remember your credentials and automatically login to eduroam whenever you are on campus.

Other visitors

Visitors not from another eduroam institution should follow these instructions to obtain guest access which will create a temporary account that will expire after 8 hours.  

Having problems connecting to eduroam Wi-Fi?

If you cannot connect to eduroam Wi-Fi please follow the guide below for your device. We recommend you also:

• check that you have the latest software updates.
• ask your secondary school IT team to have reset and remove any school settings on your device if your device is the one you used in secondary school

Office 365

Adobe software

As a Gordon student, you can access Adobe Creative Cloud software while using our onsite computers.
 Products include:

• Acrobat Pro
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Lightroom
• Media Encoder
• Photoshop
• Premiere Pro and more...

The Gordon Library computers offer the full suite of products. Classroom computers have selected software available as needed for your course.

When you open an Adobe software product, you will need to login with your Gordon student email address and then choose Company or School Account if you are asked.