The Basics for Pepperdine Law Students
WELCOME TO THE BASICS!
This page contains the a list of the best posts for getting started.
Law School Computer Recommendations
If you are just starting out at Law School, or heading back to school and looking to upgrade your system, please review the below information before purchasing your new laptop!
Nearly all Pepperdine University Law Students use laptops for class, exams, and homework. While laptops are not required, they can be a very valuable tool in law school. The Information Services team at Pepperdine University School of Law provides assistance in configuring your laptop for the network. Please think very carefully before choosing a laptop brand or other hardware/software choice outside the recommended list, as you may be limiting your potential sources of support.
Below are the minimum Computer System Recommendations:
- Manufacturer/Model: Dell Latitude Series/Apple MacBook Pro or MacBook Air
- Display: Minimum 11” screen – for improved readability, consider 13” or larger
- Operating System: Windows 10 /OS X 10.13 or better
- Processor: Intel i5 Processor or faster (or equivalent AMD)
- RAM: 8GB or higher
- Hard Drive or SSD: 120GB or higher
- Integrated WiFi or WiFi adapter
- Media Drives: None necessary
- Battery Life: 4-6 hours, much longer is much better
- Spare Charging Cable
- Warranty: 3 year parts/on-site labor
- Protection Software: Make sure you have Anti-Malware installed
- Personal Printer: We strongly recommend HP Printers without excluding other manufacturers
The Dell Latitude series is designed for a professional enterprise user and is not what you will find in a consumer-focused retail store. We have found these systems to be very reliable and strongly recommend them to both students and faculty for their personal computing needs. This recommendation is not meant to dissuade you from other manufacturers or even other lines of Dell computers, however, we know this line to be a great fit for a law student who needs a solid, reliable system for three years of challenging work (plus the Bar exam).
We do not recommend tablet-based systems. Nor do we recommend netbooks or Chromebooks. You are certainly welcome to buy them but we don’t believe they will meet your needs in law school. Essentially, you can bring any device you want to law school. However, if you want to take exams and keep pace with the challenges of law school, you should purchase a high-quality, business class laptop, not a cheap off-brand version found on sale at a big box retailer. Remember, you want a system that is reliable and will last you through completing the BAR exam. You don’t want a machine that may crash in the middle of an exam!
The Pepperdine University Computer Store (an online referral site) offers generous discounts to Pepperdine University students on software and hardware. These discounts are often more than the typical education discounts that you will find online. The Computer Store can be accessed 24/7 online.
For purchasing as an enrolled Pepperdine student, please visit the Pepperdine University Computer Store or call Pepperdine University Tech Central at (310) 506-4811.
Please note that using a computer on the University network requires that you agree to the University Computer and Network Usage policy.
Lexis-Nexis
Lexis-Nexis (http://www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool): Lexis is an online legal research system used primarily by attorneys but also government agencies and other business professionals. The traditional version of Lexis, often called Lexis.com has been available online since 1999. In 2012, Lexis Advance (a new, enhanced) version of Lexis was released. You are given free access to Lexis. However, you will have to specifically request access to Lexis Advance by contacting the Lexis-Nexis rep, Charla Strong at: Charla.Strong@lexisnexis.com
Lexis-Nexis Advance Log In: https://signin.lexisnexis.com/lnaccess/app/signin?aci=la
Register Your Password at Lexis-Nexis Instructions: In order to use Lexis-Nexis or Lexis-Nexis Advance, you will need to first register your activation code. You should have received your activation code at Orientation or via email (your Pepperdine account). If you feel that you have not received an activation code, email gilbert.marquez@pepperdine.edu with the subject line: LEXIS NEXIS ACTIVATION CODE.
Additional Lexis-Nexis Resources: On the Lexis-Nexis law school homepage you can find tutorials and webinars that cover a variety of Lexis related topics. The tutorials are only 5 minutes long and the webinar recordings are from live events hosted online for students. They cover a variety of topics and range from 45 minutes to an hour.
**Please note: You will learn more about Lexis in your Legal Research & Writing course**
If you didn’t receive your LEXIS Registration ID, please email Gilbert Marquez with your Pepperdine Email at gmarquez@pepperdine.edu
Just Tap! New Printing Update
Pepperdine Law is happy to announce a new update in the printing software! To make the process even easier, just tap your University ID card on the designated area on the printer to log-in and start printing.
For a video demonstration, click here!
For more information on printing and copy services, click here!
New Features of TurningPoint
LawTech is excited to announce new updates to TurningPoint and eager to remind all faculty of the beneficial uses TurningTechnologies has to offer with their software and products.
Pepperdine Law uses TurningPoint as a simple live polling system, which is incredibly useful in the classroom for an abundance of reasons, including learning retention and student engagement. TurningPoint allows instructors to ask interactive questions, track student progress through their individual Clickers and receive immediate feedback by producing answer results.
To view the info graphic, please follow along by scrolling down on the page or simply download the PDF version below.
For more information on how to positively update your course and “flip” your classroom, click here!
Tech Help
There are two places to get technology support here at Pepperdine. The University Help Desk and the Information Services Tech Support Desk located at the Public Services Desk in the School of Law Library.
University Help Desk (HELP)
The Pepperdine University Information Technology (University IT) department provides direct technical support for students via the University’s ‘Anytime’ Help Desk. In addition to providing technical assistance, the University Help Desk also acts as the central coordination point for School of Law technical services during the weekend. The University Help Desk is open 24/7 via phone and email at: 310-506-HELP (4357) or helpdesk@pepperdine.edu for the following issues:
- Pepperdine Username and/or Password Issues (try online FIRST!)
- Email Account Technical Issues
- Pepperdine Long Distance Phone Codes
- Pepperdine Residential/Dormitory Technology Issues
- Dell laptop service and warranty
- Card Services (Copy Cards, Access Cards)
- Campus Telephone Support/Voicemail Services
- Student Residential Technology
School of Law Information Services Department (IS)
The Information Services Department is here to assist you with a variety of issues including, but not limited to, configuring laptops, multimedia reservations and training, School of Law web site, ExamSoft, and Email account training/usage. The IS team has offices in the School of Law Library to assist with technical support and is available between the hours of 8am-5pm (Monday-Friday). To contact the IS team, use the following contact methods:
- Phone: (310) 506-7425
- Email: support@law.pepperdine.edu
- In Person: Stop by the Law Library Public Services Desk
- Self Help: Many answers to your questions are actually located on this website!
Microsoft Office Suite
The Microsoft Office suite is a family of software that delivers almost any tool imaginable to assist users at home and in business. Here, Pepperdine Law IT helps break down the different applications available.
Students and Faculty can purchase this software at a significant discount through Microsoft’s education store; Office 365 is even available for free.
Click the link below to view the Pepperdine IT Student Discount page: http://community.pepperdine.edu/it/students/newstudents/student-discount.htm
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word may be the most popular application under the Microsoft Office suite. Word is a powerful word processing software that is heavily used in the field of law, specifically for legal document creation and formatting. Click here for some common Microsoft Word tips and tricks for lawyers.
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is an all-in-one information manager for personal emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and notes. It is said to be the second most used Microsoft Office application for lawyer, after Microsoft Word of course. For most interesting information on how to incorporate Outlook’s benefits in a law office, click here.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint is a slideshow presentation software commonly used for meetings, business proposals and industry talks. PowerPoint is known to boost memory retention when it comes to presenting information.
Microsoft Excel
MicrosoftExcel is an incredibly popular spreadsheet software tool. This application may be valuable for analyzing, presenting and sharing data-intensive cases. Many Excel applications exist for case evaluation and management, as well as law firm budgeting.
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is a database management system, usually utilized to create business applications from templates or scratch. This is frequently used for lawyer contract tracking and appointment tracking.
Polling and Clickers
TurningPoint
Pepperdine Law uses TurningPoint as a simple live polling system. This desktop software uses Microsoft PowerPoint and Clickers to deliver self-paced assessments.
Though incorporating interactive polling software in the classroom requires some extra tech knowledge, live polling systems are incredibly useful and beneficial in learning. TurningPoint allows instructors to ask interactive questions, track student progress through their individual Clickers and receive immediate feedback by producing answer results.
To download TurningPoint on to your classroom Mac or PC desktop, please click here or on the following link: https://www.turningtechnologies.com/downloads/turningpoint-desktop/
To view an instructional video on TurningPoint’s Powerpoint polling, please click here or on the following link: https://www.turningtechnologies.com/turningpoint/turningpoint-desktop/video-tutorials/?wvideo=eivnr7c8n8
Remember, when presenting a Powerpoint that incorporates TurningPoint polling, you must open the TurningPoint desktop application prior to opening the created Powerpoint.
Clickers
The same company creates the LCD Clickers that are personally assigned and checked-out to each Pepperdine Law student at the library. These response devices allow students to answer polling questions with an easy click of a button.
Clicker use is now available in each of the School of Law classrooms. Professors using the classroom PC do not need to bring a Clicker Receiver to class. Professors simply need to open their PowerPoint presentation on the classroom PC via TurningPoint.
Students need to tune their Clickers to the correct channel for the classroom, as noted on a sign in each classroom:
- Law Library Room 219: 30
- Classroom A: 32
- Classroom B: 34
- Classroom C: 36
- Classroom D: 26
- Classroom E: 40
- Classroom F: 42
- Classroom G: 44
- Mendenhall Appellate Courtroom: 46
- Darling Trial Courtroom: 48
- Seminar Room 1: 50
- Seminar Room 2: 52
- Seminar Room 3: 54
- Seminar Room 4: 56
- Seminar Room 5: 28
Used for informal Q&A, attendance and assessment purposes, professors can easily integrate multiple choice or True/False questions directly into their PowerPoint slides using the TurningPoint software. Students then submit their “anonymous” responses on their own personal clickers, which look like small remote controls. Depending on the settings, the results of the question are then displayed on the slide.
About SecureConnect Powered by DUO
You may have heard of this software because of the update on March 6, 2019 that allowed all Faculty and Staff accounts to now be protected by SecureConnect. But what exactly is it?
SecureConnect powered by DUO is a new and efficient way to protect your Pepperdine account from hackers. The software adds an extra step to your log-in process by requiring you to connect a personal device in addition to your password. As a multi-factor authentication service, SecureConnect ensures identity confirmation.
In terms of your personal device, you may use Apple or Android smartphones or tablets as your device factors, with landline or mobile voice/text as backup factors.
To enroll, reconfigure your authentication devices or visit the FAQ page, please click here or on the link below. https://community.pepperdine.edu/it/security/tools/secureconnect/
For video instructions on setting up your account and using your SecureConnect with VPN, CAS and/or remote access, click the link below. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL48SLDvzVCiiP8kjNBxcgJAuNIlLYkGWa
Enrolling benefits include but are not limited to:
- Protect University data, personal payroll and benefit information, and private student information in case your password is phished or stolen.
- Extend your University password expiration for three years.
- Flexible and quick to use with any smartphone or tablet.
- Use phone numbers, text messages, or DUO generated passcodes, whether online or offline, as backup to a smartphone or tablet.
Tips for Incoming Faculty
Welcome to Pepperdine School of Law!
On behalf of the Pepperdine School of Law Information Services Department, we want to welcome you to the Pepperdine family and let you know we are here to help with all your technology needs.
A few helpful hints: If you are new, or simply returning to Pepperdine, welcome back to Malibu! Here is some information regarding the more common technology questions we see to help you get started.
1. WaveNet: Wavenet is Pepperdine’s central location for all web-based administrative systems including the Faculty Center, class rosters, grade submission, etc. You can communicate with all of your students by selecting student names on your class roster in WaveNet and then clicking on “Notify selected students”. You can also communicate with them directly via email. When communicating with students, we recommend that you use your Pepperdine e-mail located conveniently on your Wavenet page.
2. Pepperdine Email: Your Pepperdine email address is typically your first name, “dot”, your last name. To access your Pepperdine email, simply log in to WaveNet and select the “Email” button from the upper-right corner. Your Pepperdine email is your primary contact for students. Your email address is already listed in WaveNet, and therefore, once your students enroll in your class, they can find your pepperdine.edu email address in our Gmail directory.
3. LawTech.pepperdine.edu: You may want to review our Information Services website on “The Basics”, which includes important technology and library information for the Pepperdine School of Law. The “Classroom Tech” tab at the top right of the page also provides an overview of the technology available in each individual classroom. This site is a great resource for finding answers to specific questions regarding Pepperdine law school technology.
4. TWEN is Pepperdine Law’s Learning Management System: You will receive an additional email from one of our Reference Librarians with information on how to access your WestLaw and LexisNexis Accounts. Once you have access to WestLaw, I can help assist you with getting your TWEN course(s) set up if you wish to use TWEN to post your syllabus or other resources and e-materials for students to access. In addition to TWEN, we also have Courses powered by Sakai as an alternative course management system. You can access Courses by going to http://courses.pepperdine.edu Here are some self-help pages about Courses.
5. Video Conferencing: Pepperdine uses Zoom for video conferencing. Here are a few links to help you get started:
- About Zoom (Please note this page says available Aug 1 but you can use it now)
- Zoom training
6. Getting Help: If you have any general support questions, you can e-mail us at support@law.pepperdine.edu, or myself, directly at hong.kha@pepperdine.edu. In addition, you can call our direct support line during normal office hours (Pacific Time) at 310-506-7425, should you have any needs or concerns with the classrooms, the technology therein, or your Pepperdine WaveNet account.
7. Classroom Tech Support: If you encounter any tech issues during your class, there are also support line “hot” phones located in each classroom. Simply pick up the receiver to be automatically connected to a technician located in the law school.
Finally, please set a password by visiting myid.pepperdine.edu, select “SET/RESET PASSWORD” and follow the instructions on the screen. Your NetworkID is ______Your Campus Wide ID (CWID) is ______
Welcome to Pepperdine! We look forward to working with you, and hope you have a great semester!