As part of the current COVID-19 crisis, we are currently evaluating possible e-learning scenarios together with the e-learning service team of the University of Göttingen.

We are currently focussing on BigBlueButton an open source video conferencing tool that, in addition to conventional video conference functions such as screen sharing and chat, is also suitable for e-learning scenarios. The tool is based on HTML5, runs in the browser and does not require any software installation.

BigBlueButton offers the following features that go beyond pure video conferencing:

• Upload and show

In order to simplify the use of alternative video conferencing services, we have implemented a connector between the Cisco WebEx service and our single sign-on solution. This allows employees and students of the University of Göttingen as well as employees of the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) to login to Cisco WebEx with the credentials of their staff or student account in order to create meetings. To do so, you need to activate your account which involves transmission of account data (e-mail address, first and last name) to Cisco. This requires your consent. You can find more

The current COVID-19 situation affects science and teaching to a large effect. Many employees and students have to work from home. The usual procedures are not always available and need to be adapted. In order to provide you with the best possible support in this challenging situation for all of us, we have created a website on which we provide you with information about typical tools and services for mobile work such as videoconferencing, VPN and chat, which you can obtain from GWDG. This website is constantly being expanded and updated.

We strive to provide you with a stable IT supply even

Due to the current pandemic situation, the use of videoconferencing tools for mobile working is expected to increase significantly in the coming days and weeks. We are therefore currently working intensively on the provision of alternative services in order to support our users as best we can with the current IT challenges. For this purpose, we have created a website that is continuously updated and where we will provide you with initial concrete information on usable videoconferencing tools in the course of the day.

Due to the current pandemic situation, a strong increase in the use of VPN and videoconferencing is expected in the coming days and weeks, and we are currently working intensively on alternative offers. In the area of videoconferencing, we are currently evaluating Cisco WebEx, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and JITSI. As a soon as there are any news in this area as well as in VPN, we will inform you about it as soon as possible.