IT Information for Cadets – Summer 2020

This page provides Information Technology (IT) information and resources for course cadets attending the Virtual Cadet Training Centre (VCTC) during the summer of 2020.

Course cadets will primarily use two digital resources this summer:

1. A communication and collaboration platform known as GCcollab.
2. Learning materials located on the Canadian Cadet Organizations (CCO) Extranet.

GCcollab (Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams)

What is it?

GCcollab stands for Government of Canada Collaboration. It is the name given to an instance of Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365) in use within the Government of Canada. Microsoft 365, which includes Microsoft Teams, is accessible during summer 2020 to cadets attending Virtual Cadet Training Centres (VCTC) as well as staff cadets and adult staff of the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (CJCR) programs.

Microsoft 365 is Microsoft’s online Office suite that includes familiar tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These tools can be accessed through the Web without the need of any prior installation.  Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that is integrated with Microsoft 365. It is essentially where VCTC 2020 will happen and will be used by cadets and staff to collaborate (email, chat, web conference, share files, and more.)

Acceptable use policy

Accessing the Tools

You will need an account (user name and password) to use Microsoft 365 and Teams. A short while after being accepted and loaded onto your course, your account will be created for you. At this point, you will receive an automatically-generated email from GCcollab providing you with your user name and password as well a link to the GCcollab platform.

Once you have received your welcome email from GCcollab with your user name and password, follow these steps to finish setting up your account.

Microsoft 365 and Teams are accessible from this link. (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website)

Once you have gained access, a good first step would be to consult the official GCcollab documentation.

Email

Cadets who use GCcollab (Microsoft 365/Microsoft Teams) will be given a GCcollab email account (@gccollaboration.ca) for the duration of their summer training. Login details and instructions will be sent to you.

After the Summer

GCcollab accounts for cadets are intended to be temporary workspaces for VCTC 2020 and will be deleted at the end of the summer. This includes GCcollab email accounts. If there is anything you would like to keep, please ensure that you download it to your local computer before it expires.

Cadet Activities (CCO Extranet)

The Canadian Cadet Organizations (CCO) Extranet is website that contains various resources for cadets, parents, and staff. It also contains many learning activities used at VCTC this summer.

The CCO Extranet requires a user name and password which can be created by following the instructions on the page. For further assistance, contact your designated staff cadet or adult staff member.

Once logged-in, cadet learning activities are accessed by clicking on Cadet Activities in the blue menu bar at the top of the screen.

Computers

Cadets can use any computer, tablet or phone they have access to so long as it meets the minimum requirements. To use the GCcollab (Microsoft 365), devices will need an Internet connection, Windows (any version later than 8.1), iOS (any of the three most recent versions) or Android (via the Office App and Microsoft Teams App).
IT Support
Cadets that encounter technical difficulties and/or require technical assistance are instructed to contact their staff cadet or adult staff member. Additionally, resources are available below that may be of use.

Documentation & Resources

Official GCcollab User Guide (user identification and password required)