Remote Work and Online Learning: Best Practices for a Better Internet Connection

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The lockdown is forcing universities and their departments to adapt. Classes are now held online, and exams will soon follow suit. While we are currently conducting several stress tests to ensure that all our students have optimal conditions for taking their exams, you will find below some tips for improving your internet connection, as well as a reminder of the procedure to follow for your upcoming online exams.

Testing Your Internet Speed and Interpreting the Results

To enable students to take their exams online and allow staff to work under the best possible conditions, the DSIN is providing a tool that lets you measure the quality of the connection between your home and the university: https://testdebit.umontpellier.fr/

Data reception (download)

After completing this test, the results will appear, and you can interpret them using this short guide:

  • A speed between D and F is considered slow (low throughput);
  • A C-class speed between 3 and 7 Mbps is classified as "medium speed"; it is at these speeds that remote work can begin to function effectively.
  • Speeds of 8 Mbps or higher are considered "broadband"
  • Connections exceeding 30 Mbps are classified as "ultra-high-speed."

Data upload

This value represents the speed at which data is transmitted from your computer to the Internet; it is often referred to as "upload speed" or simply "upload."

An average download speed of 1.2 Mbps is sufficient for transferring data from your computer.

Response time (ping) 

This value represents the time taken for a round trip between your computer and the server hosting the files used to measure the data download speed; it is often referred to as "latency."

A value in the green zone is required for high-quality video conferencing (without interruptions).

Improving Your Wi-Fi Connection

If the connection is not optimal (between D and F), you should:

  • Use a wired connection whenever possible : The connection will be more stable, and devices connected via Wi-Fi will have better speeds.
  • Positioning Your Router Correctly : Avoid placing it under the TV or in a closed cabinet. Ideally, install it about 1.5 meters above the floor in an open area. Never place anything on top of it, and plug it in directly (do not use an extension cord or power strip).
  • Close any programs that are currently running: To get the most out of your bandwidth, remember to turn off Wi-Fi on devices you’re not using (phones, connected devices).
  • Turn off automatic Wi-Fi scanning : By default, Windows constantly scans for nearby wireless networks. This feature, which is unnecessary if you always connect to your own network, consumes bandwidth.
  • Check for viruses: Whether by displaying ads or secretly using the computer’s resources, some malware unnecessarily consumes bandwidth.

 

If, after checking all these steps, the connection is still weak, please contact your registrar’s office so they can help you access the exams under the best possible conditions. Please also feel free to report any issues you encounter during the exams.

Take exams

With a reliable internet connection, students can take their exams.

To do this, students must log in the same way they do for tablet-based exams in the lecture hall: log in from your device on SIDES + ENT authentication + enter the exam code.

The box codes will be sent via email before the event.

On the day of the test, we encourage students to, if possible, put themselves in an exam setting:

  • Start the connection at least 15 minutes before the scheduled times (to allow for any unforeseen circumstances)
  • Being alone in a room
  • Keep only the exam materials (pen, blank scratch paper, etc.)
  • Do not attempt to connect to any applications other than the one required for the exam. This could disrupt the connection and interfere with your ability to write.

Once the challenge begins, it’s up to you! 

We wish you the best of luck on your exams!

Bonus

In this article, you’ll also find our tips for studying remotely!

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Maieutics MOOC

Maieutics: 3 educational platforms available!

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The education of our students is of paramount importance to the Faculty, which is why we are providing you with three educational platforms designed specifically for students in the Midwifery program, though they may also be of interest to students in the Medicine program.

Formagyn

This platform offers the educational content from the University of Brest’s University Diploma (DU) program in “Gynecological Care for Prevention, Sexuality, and Family Planning” and is free for all students from March 17 to June 17. The rich and well-developed content focuses primarily on gynecological care and emergencies, contraception, and many other topics.

Access the platform

Digital Education in Healthcare

This platform brings together several MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses): online courses open to everyone, typically consisting of instructional videos and multiple-choice quizzes. Digital Health Education focuses on women’s and children’s health, covering topics such as violence against women and children, breastfeeding, contraception, menopause, and more.

Access the platform

Addressing Violence

At present, this platform offers only two MOOCs; the first, which focuses on victimology, was developed in collaboration with Gynécologie sans frontière. The second MOOC available on the platform, meanwhile, addresses male dominance.

Access the platform

This series of workshops will therefore allow some participants to gain additional knowledge directly related to their coursework, while others will benefit from supplementary information that will always be useful for their future careers.

 

We would like to thank Romain PONS, a student in the midwifery program and member of the Academic Council, for his assistance in writing this article.

 

 

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#COVID-19: Continuing Medical Education (CME) Evening: Discussion on Best Practices

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As part of the crisis management efforts for the coronavirus pandemic, the Continuing Medical Education (CME) division is once again hosting a themed webinar for physicians in charge of COVID care centers for the elderly in Eastern Occitanie. Professor Blain will once again lead the session. More information is available in this article.

 

A remote conference

The conference will take place via video conference on Tuesday, April 28, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It is open to all practicing general practitioners, particularly those responsible for the COVID-19 care platforms for the elderly in Eastern Occitanie. The theme of this event will be: “An exchange of best practices with physicians responsible for the COVID-19 care platforms for the elderly in Eastern Occitanie.” Since the number of participants is limited to encourage interaction between attendees and speakers, registration is free but required.

Registration is now closed.

Watch the recording of the conference below!

 

On the evening's program

The online event will be hosted by Prof. Blain (Gerontology Center at Montpellier University Hospital). The event is organized in collaboration with the Occitanie Regional Health Agency.
The event will focus on best practices with the physicians in charge of the COVID-19 care platforms for the elderly in eastern Occitanie
A detailed program will be announced soon.

 

A lecture that will be available to watch later at video.umontpellier.fr

Can’t make it to either of the events? Don’t worry—you can watch the replay starting the next day at video.umontpellier.fr.

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Nutrition - 5 Tips

5 Nutrition Tips During Lockdown

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During this period of lockdown, there’s no shortage of temptations when it comes to snacks and treats… Should you give in and feel guilty, or resist and feel frustrated? We spoke with Prof. Ariane Sultan, a professor at the Faculty specializing in nutrition, and dietitian Nicolas Sahuc, who teaches at the Faculty. Together with them, we’ve compiled five dietary and nutritional tips to follow during lockdown… but that’s not all!

 

1 / Listen to your body and its needs!

Lockdown is turning our routines upside down: our schedules are out of sync… and so are our bodies! Sometimes, we don’t feel hungry at the traditional “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” times. Don’t panic! According to Nicolas Sahuc, we need to pay close attention to our body’s rhythm, which varies from day to day and isn’t necessarily aligned with “social” schedules: “Don’t worry if you aren’t hungry at ‘mealtimes’; instead, eat when you’re really hungry.” To do this, you need to listen to your body and pay attention to genuine feelings of hunger and fullness. “This doesn’t necessarily mean eating three meals a day…” emphasizes Professor Sultan.

All in all: think about your body’s natural rhythms and pay attention to your hunger cues before you even think about nutrition! 

 

2 / Don’t pick and choose or cut out any foods: think about how long they keep you full! 

“When you’re hungry, any food will do to satisfy your hunger. However, not all foods keep you feeling full for the same amount of time.”. The dietitian's advice is to opt instead for foods that will keep you full for longer: choose a banana over a cookie for a snack, or better yet, if you're really hungry, have a proper, balanced meal.

 

3 / Don't beat yourself up—think big!

That said, don’t feel guilty if you really crave that cookie for a snack. The key is to think about nutrition holistically: “Nutrition is all about overall balance. If you eat balanced meals regularly and at your own pace, there’s no reason to feel guilty.” Conversely, balanced nutrition isn’t a “one-off”: a single balanced meal every now and then isn’t enough! Professor Sultan confirms this: “A balanced diet is determined over the course of a week rather than a single day.”

 

4 / Choose balanced meals

“A balanced meal will keep you full for about 5 hours, while an unbalanced meal or a snack will only keep you full for 2 to 2.5 hours.” It is therefore important to plan your meals with a variety of foods that will keep you full over time. “Contrary to popular belief, a meal without bread or starchy foods won’t help you stay slim, since you’ll be hungry again two hours later.” For a balanced and substantial meal, it is recommended to include: bread, starchy foods, a source of protein (meat, fish, eggs, or plant-based protein), a dairy product (yogurt or cheese), fruits and vegetables for fiber, and a small amount of fat. Ariane Sultan notes that “this composition should be adjusted based on how hungry you feel”. As for meal variety, the dietitian emphasizes that “the composition of a balanced meal is always the same; you just need to vary the foods according to your tastes!” 

 

An example of a balanced meal: 

  • 1 serving of Basque-style chicken, with vegetables (fresh or frozen), rice, and salad
  • 1 slice of bread
  • 1 yogurt or 1 piece of cheese
  • A few strawberries

 

But don’t forget Professor Sultan’s advice, who recommends paying close attention to your hunger cues: ““If you’re not very hungry, you don’t need all those starchy foods—or cut back on them!”

5 / Carbohydrate-rich snacks for periods of intense work

And since we know that exams are coming up for many of you, we asked the dietitian for his recommendations on snacks during busy periods. According to him, “You should opt for carbohydrate-rich foods, such as cereal bars or fruit compotes, which are nutritious and convenient. Swedish “Havreflarn”-style oatmeal cookies are also a good option: they don’t contain too much added sugar and are easy to make at home.” However, our dietitian reminds us: “Before you even think about snacks, the most important thing is learning how to manage your stress! Breathing exercises are very effective in helping you do that.” “And don’t forget physical activity!” the professor adds, “You can stay active no matter what the circumstances—even during lockdown! You just have to adapt your routine and adjust to the situation!”

 

Of course, we weren't going to leave you hanging: we've picked out a few Swedish pancake recipes for you… : 

Recipe 1 Recipe 2 Recipe 3

…and apps to help you manage stress:

COVID-19 Support

 

We’ll be back in the next few days with more on physical activity, so stay tuned! In the meantime: get cooking! 😉

 

Healthcare Professionals:

We would like to thank them for their assistance in writing this article.

Ariane Sultan

Ariane Sultan

Professor of Nutrition

Ariane Sultan is a professor of nutrition on the Nutrition and Diabetes Team at Montpellier University Hospital (CHU de Montpellier), Lapeyronie Hospital. As chair of the CLAN (Food and Nutrition Liaison Committee) at Montpellier University Hospital, she teaches several courses in nutrition and diabetes care at the Faculty of Medicine.

Nicolas Sahuc

Nicolas Sahuc

Registered Dietitian

Nicolas Sahuc has been a registered dietitian since 2003 and specializes in eating disorders. He regularly gives seminars to medical residents at our faculty on eating disorders and childhood obesity.

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#Coronavirus – Covid-19 Continuing Medical Education Evening: A new session for general practitioners and care home coordinators

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As part of the crisis management efforts surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the Continuing Medical Education (CME) division is once again hosting a themed webinar for general practitioners and coordinating physicians in nursing homes. This time, Professor Hubert Blain and Dr. Emilie Million will be speaking at the event. Read more in this article.

 

 

A remote conference

The conference will take place via video conference on Thursday, April 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A second session of this event will be held on April 21, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It is open to all practicing general practitioners, as well as coordinating physicians in nursing homes in the Occitanie region. The theme of this event will be: “COVID-19 Prevention in Nursing Homes: How Best to Apply the ARS Occitanie Recommendations of April 6, 2020, in Practice.” As the number of participants is limited to encourage interaction between attendees and speakers, registration is free but required.

Registration is closed

On the evening's program

The online event will be hosted by Prof. Blain (Gerontology Center at Montpellier University Hospital) and Dr. Emilie Million (Department of General Medicine at the Faculty).
The event will focus on the ARS Occitanie’s recommendations for preventing COVID-19 cases in nursing homes across the region.
A detailed program will be announced soon.

 

A lecture that will be available to watch later at video.umontpellier.fr

Can’t make it to either of the events? No worries—you can watch the replay below!

 

Evening of April 16

Event on April 21

 

 

 

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Library article

Biology and Health Videos – Unlimited Access Through April 30

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A platform featuring scientific videos focused on health and biology is available to students with unlimited access through April 30.

A video platform for research and teaching

JoVE is a publisher of scientific articles in video format. The articles are peer-reviewed, meaning they are reviewed and approved by scientists before publication. They are indexed in PubMed and Medline, and feature experiments and protocols filmed at the world’s most prestigious universities and leading research laboratories.

To watch the videos

Simply log in to the University's digital campus portal => Click on the "Libraries" tile => Enter "JOVE" in the search bar

Your feedback will help us assess the value of this resource for the University. Please feel free to share your thoughts by emailing scd-docelec@umontpellier.fr

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