To utilize the technology systems necessary for studying at Gordon-Conwell, ensure that you have easy access to specific tools. Click each bullet to read about requirements. If you have questions regarding these tools, please email tech@gordonconwell.edu. Computers, Tablets, and Mobile Devices Computer: Despite the proliferation of mobile devices, we strongly recommend that each student have easy access to a laptop or desktop computer. Gordon-Conwell's systems were primarily designed for computer users. Some, such as Canvas, are optimized for mobile devices, but others are not. Also, computers are best for the substantial research and writing required in seminary. Students may use Windows or Mac personal computers. Laptops can be used to take notes in class (unless otherwise specified by the professor). Tablets and Mobile Devices: Gordon-Conwell welcomes the use of tablets and mobile devices inside the classroom and out. However, please be aware that not all our systems or resources are optimized for such hardware. Accessories Printer: Although most assignments will be uploaded to Canvas, certain assignments or resources require printing. Students may print at Gordon-Conwell's libraries for a small per-page fee. Scanner: Occasional assignments require access to a scanner. Personal printers and smartphone apps often incorporate scanner functions. Also, Gordon-Conwell's library copiers will scan pages to a pdf, which can be emailed or saved on a USB flash drive. Camera and Microphone (online only): You will need access to a camera and microphone for most online courses. These come standard with most laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. High-Speed Internet: Access to reliable high-speed internet is essential for online courses. Wi-Fi (online only): Students who are participating in online courses and web meetings should connect via a strong Wi-Fi or wired connection. Students should avoid using cellular data for web meetings.

Email is vital to communicating with professors, administration, and other students; it is often your first point of information about Gordon-Conwell's schedule updates, opportunities, and events. Every student is assigned a Gordon-Conwell username and password (which you already used to sign into Canvas).The username format is first initial last name (example: jdoe). If there is more than one user with the same first initial and last name, the system automatically assigns a number at the end of the username (example: jdoe9). In addition to being issued a username and password, all new students also receive a Gordon-Conwell email address. Email addresses are simply the username followed by @gordonconwell.edu (example: jdoe9@gordonconwell.edu).  Our email runs on the Microsoft platform. As a perk of our Microsoft partnership, your student, staff, or faculty email account includes a free Microsoft Office subscription. Visit this articleLinks to an external site. for instructions to download the Microsoft Office suite for free with your email account! Email Policy While you were considering seminary, you were probably used to corresponding with the seminary using a personal or business email account. Now that you are an official Gordon-Conwell student, all correspondence from the seminary (faculty, staff, fellow students, billing, registration, etc.) is required to be sent to your Gordon-Conwell email address, and you are now responsible for regularly checking your Gordon-Conwell email. While some messages may also be sent to your personal email, this is not always the case. The next section explains how to access your email. We recommend checking your email at least every other day. Many students express a desire to receive their Gordon-Conwell email using their phones, tablets, or computer email applications (Outlook, Apple Mail, etc.). Gordon-Conwell allows students to do this with this warning: If something goes wrong with your device or application, the IT Service Desk is not able to offer support. Gordon-Conwell does not assume responsibility for missed emails that are not accessed using our web-based portal. Knowing these warnings, if you still wish to set up your device to receive emails, we provide instructions in this article. Email forwarding is highly discouraged by GCTS IT as we can not support non-GCTS systems. If you decide to forward your email to a non-GCTS address GCTS does not assume responsibility for missed emails that leave our system. We highly recommend that you do not forward your email and regularly check your Gordon-Conwell email. Accessing Email To access your email, go to our webmail portal at http://mail.gcts.edu or webmail.gcts.edu and enter your Gordon-Conwell email address and password. If you have never used Microsoft Outlook before, we'd recommend checking out the tutorials here, or selecting from the specific ones below. Create, reply to, or forward email messages in Outlook on the web Attach files in Outlook on the web Create and add an email signature in Outlook on the web Personalize your new mail experience in Outlook on the web