How your Study Tech Assessor, Mentor or Trainer, Technical Support or others may contact you, Google meets, Zoom, Teams and Quick Assist. Alternatives for Mac users

How your Study Tech Assessor, Mentor or Trainer, Technical Support or others may contact you, Google meets, Zoom, Teams and Quick Assist. Alternatives for Mac users

How will my Assessor, Trainer or mentor contact me?

In general, a Study Tech Employee will use Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, Zoom, Zoho Meetings, Zoho Cliq, Zoho Assist, Zoho Connect or similar for an online meeting.

Usually, an email invite before their meeting, or potentially a phone call can then occur. Sessions may start a little later than your time slot.

This will be the Staff members or Students preferred app usually, but in terms of Tech Support, App X not working will always be investigated first with does quick assist work, and if so the preference of another app will not then be investigated. As the basic functionality, as covered by quick assist works. therefore any issue is then at fault with eth app/software, and zoom, teams etc need to be contacted.

If all else fails, or you are in contact with Technical Support we recommend using Quick Assist (on a Windows machine).

Quick Assist, a built-in Windows tool, enables remote assistance where one person helps another with their computer. 

While not designed for traditional voice chat,  Quick Assist facilitates communication through an integrated chat feature and can be used alongside a separate voice call (phone, other app)

The helper can share their screen and even take control with the user's permission, and the chat function allows for quick text-based communication.
 
Here's how to use Quick Assist for remote support with voice communication:
Establish a Voice Connection:

Before starting, set up a separate voice call (phone, VoIP app) with the person you'll be assisting. This allows for real-time communication while using Quick Assist.
This video shows how to initiate a Quick Assist session and communicate with the other user:
Open Quick Assist:
  • Both the helper and the person needing assistance should launch Quick Assist.
    In Windows 10, you can find it under Windows Accessories from the Start Menu.
  • In Windows 11, it's under All Apps from the Start Menu.
  • Alternatively, you can search for "Quick Assist" in the Windows search bar or use the shortcut: Ctrl + Windows key + Q.. 
Helper Shares Security Code:
The helper (person providing assistance) selects "Help someone".
  • Quick Assist will generate a security code.
  • Share this code with the person needing help, either through the separate voice call, email, what's app or another messaging method.
This video demonstrates how the helper initiates the session and obtains the security code:
User Connects and Shares Screen:
The person needing help enters the security code in the "Get help" section of Quick Assist and selects "Submit".
  • They will then be prompted to share their screen, which they should allow.
Using the Chat Feature:
Once the screen sharing is established, the helper can use the chat feature within Quick Assist to communicate with the user.
  • The chat window appears as an icon on the top bar of the Quick Assist interface.
Optional Control and Ending the Session:
 The helper can request control of the user's screen, which the user can either allow or deny.
  • Either the helper or the user can end the session by selecting "Leave" or "End session".
This video explains how to use the chat and other tools within Quick Assist:

Mac Alternatives.

1. Zoho Assist may work straight away; if not, follow the instructions below/in the Zoom session for allowing remote connections.
2. Google remote desktop: This will end around any remote access/system issues, but it is very complicated to install/is for only advanced customers.
3. Quick Assist.... Yes, this is actually doable; it's on Beta/MS support only at the moment; there is a download that requires an 8-digit access code, which only MS can generate currently.
4. Zoom, see below.

5. The following steps help you remotely control a Mac via Zoom, it is the easiest and most likely to work:

  1. Step 1. Ask the student to download and install the Zoom App on their Mac, if they have not already.
  2. Step 2. Have them click the Apple logo on the top right corner of their screen and select "System Preferences."

    system preference

  3. Step 3.Select "Security and Privacy."

    select privacy and security

  4. Step 4. Have the Student enter their administrator password and username, then click "Unlock."
  5. Step 5.Go to the "Privacy" tab and then tap "Accessibility."
  6. Step 6.Tick the box next to Zoom (or your chosen app) to allow remote control, and you will be done!

    allow to control

If you then initiate a Zoom call with the student you may be able to then remote in.