Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
This presentation describes the technology skills that you need to be successful in your online program at the University at Buffalo's Graduate School of Education.
Citation preview
Technology Skills for Online Learning
GSE’s Office of Online Education Presents:
About Technology Skills
• Your program is about learning, connecting, and collaborating, not technology – but you’ll need technology access and skills to be successful.
• This section is about making sure that your technology skills are ready to go. Browse through this presentation to make a list of skills you want to brush up on.
• Recently, we asked online instructors to identify the most critical technology skills for students in their class and this is what they told us…
Most Critical Skills for Starting Your Program• update software and install plug-ins• use a web browser and search the internet• use your email account• send and receive email attachments• use basics of a word processing program• navigate and use the features of UBlearns• post in a discussion board forum in UBlearns• check your grades in UBlearns• submit assignments in UBlearns, complete a
quiz/test in UBlearns• access UB Library Resources• play audio and video files
Advice from Online Faculty…
“Be ready with your computer access”
“Be familiar with UBlearns”
“Bring an excitement for learning new technology, and do not be afraid to try new things”
You should be able to:
Most Critical Skills for Starting Your Program• update software and install plug-ins• use a web browser and search the internet• use your email account• send and receive email attachments• use basics of a word processing program• navigate and use the features of UBlearns• post in a discussion board forum in UBlearns• check your grades in UBlearns• submit assignments in UBlearns, complete a
quiz/test in UBlearns• access UB Library Resources• play audio and video files
Advice from Online Faculty…
“Be ready with your computer access”
“Be familiar with UBlearns”
“Bring an excitement for learning new technology, and do not be afraid to try new things”
This orientation will focus on getting you ready to use UBlearns
Update Software and Install Plug-InsTo be successful you’ll need to be comfortable accessing your online course. You’ll need to have a
computer meeting UB Student Computer Standards and make sure your software is up to date. In this orientation, the Getting Tech Ready Getting Your Technology Hardware and Software Ready section for links and important information
• Link to “Check Your Plug-Ins” https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/
• UB offers a variety of the latest academic and productivity software for students. Visit https://ublearns.buffalo.edu/webapps/portal/frames
Tip: Take time before the start of classes to check your technology
The good news is that your technology fee helps support access to the latest software. Make good use of it!
Use a Web Browser and Search the InternetYou’ll need to use a Web Browser to access your online course materials. Check the UBlearns
Supported Browsers page – you will have the least access problems a Certified browser.
• Link to “Check the UBlearns Supported Browsers”: http://www.buffalo.edu/content/dam/www/ubit/ublearns/ublearns-compatible-browsers-v9.pdf
Searching the Internet is important. 100% of GSE Online Teachers identified “Searching the Internet” as a critical expected skill.
Tip: Avoid technical issues by choosing a web browser that is certified compatible with UBlearns?
Have and Use and Email Account & Send and Receive Email Attachments
Email is a critical communication tool at UB. All UB students, faculty, and staff are issued an official UB email account and address.
• If you haven’t already, visit “Getting Started with IT at UB” at http://www.buffalo.edu/ubit/service-guides/getting-started-at-ub.html
The site will help you find your UBITName, login to UBmail, and setup UBmail on your smartphone or mobile device.
Have a question about IT services? Having trouble with your UBITName? The CIT Help Desk can help!
• Call: 716-645-3542• Email: [email protected]• Walk in: Lockwood 2nd Floor Cybrary (service hours)• Fax: 716-645-3617
Tip: Check your UBmail daily – or forward it to an address you do check
Use Basics of a Word Processing Program
The Microsoft Office suite, including Microsoft Word is available for you to download through UBIT. You’ll want to make sure that you have these skills before the start of classes:
• Create a new document, enter text, and save it• Open and edit existing documents• Navigate in a document and perform a search• Select and move text (cut, copy, paste, move)• Format characters and paragraphs; work with tabs, indents, margins, lists, breaks, spacing• Use AutoCorrect and Help tools• Create and edit tables• Format documents for submission• Print documents Tip: Building good
Word Processing skills will help you focus on the content rather than production and presentation
Additional Word Processing Skills
These word processing skills will help you successfully complete your program
• Work with sections and use styles• Add a table of contents (TOC)• Manage and track document changes, using highlight and comments• Insert headers/footers, date/time, page numbers• Insert graphic elements• Insert multimedia elements• Manage multiple document versions• Use find/replace
Tip: These are big time saving Word Processing skills
UBlearns
This orientation is designed to help you develop the skills you need to navigate UBlearns successfully, including:
• Post in Discussion Boards• Access course content, files and links• Check Your Grades• Submit Assignments• Complete Quizzes/Tests
Tip: Take time before class starts to get familiar with the how UBlearns works.
Access UB Library Resources
As an online learner at UB, you have access to University at Buffalo Libraries. The UB Libraries have a wide range of library resources and services online.
To access the library visit:
http://library.buffalo.edu/
Check out the UB Libraries Online Learners Help Guide at
http://library.buffalo.edu/helpAZ/distance.html
Tip: The UB Library Workshop is highly recommended to improve your library skills
Play Audio and Video Files
Many of your courses here at UB will incorporate video, and sometimes audio files. To fully access your course you will need to be able to play the audio and video files on your computer.
You may need to download and install plug-ins for to access these files. Many of the commonly needed plug-ins can be found via UBIT Software site, including Flash Player, Java JRE, Microsoft Windows Media Player , QuickTime, RealPlayer, and iTunes.
http://www.buffalo.edu/ubit/service-guides/software.html
Tip: Check your UBmail daily – or forward it to an address you do check
Early in Your Program You Will Need These Skills
• troubleshoot basic technology issues• bookmarking web pages for future reference• use Presentation software (like PowerPoint or
Prezi)• access online library journals and course
reserve materials• evaluate the quality and authenticity of web
resources• use Google Scholar
Advice from Online Faculty…
“Be ready with your computer access”
“Be familiar with UBlearns”
“Bring an excitement for learning new technology, and do not be afraid to try new things”
You should be able to:
Need Help?
• Orientation – Technology Tutorial Resources (in Getting Tech Ready Section)– We have identified some resources to help you get “Tech Ready”
• Seek additional resources– Local community education program– Family member or friend who can help– Online classes
Have a question about IT services? Having trouble with your UBITName? The CIT Help Desk can help!• Call: 716-645-3542• Email: [email protected]• Walk in: Lockwood 2nd Floor Cybrary• Fax: 716-645-3617
Decisions: • Do you need to spend
additional time building your technology skills before the start of class?
