I agree with your list of tech sites and suggestions. I would add my advice to students to check into sites of associations related to their career goals. One question for my students is what aspirations do you have for a healthcare career. A list of possible association sites is provided to them to begin their exploration, e.g. ACHE.org. Frequently there are news items along with blogs that they can pursue based on their interest. It also adds to their resource list for research.
AIU offers a number of tech labs that I encourage students to explore. Emphasis is placed on developing their tech skills that are so essential in the healthcare field, or any field for that matter.
One of the most important skills a student and all of us can acquire is typing. So often I encounter students making simple typing errors that slow them down to correct and simply make completing essay assignments inefficient. I learned to type in high school and it has become one of the most valuable courses taken. There are plenty of typing programs on software and some are free. So in addition to knowing their way around all the tech features of the university, typing is essential.
Robert,
You are right. The power of using the technology is incorporating those association sites.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Robert,
We forget how important typing is! I think I may add typing programs to all of my courses. Great idea!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hi
A variety of technical skills are needed for online students. At a base level they need to be able to navigate the school platform and use the Microsoft suite of programs. This includes, but is not limited to, attaching files, using the library database, ideally being able to cut and paste and generally access the the school's Learning Management System.
Ideally greater ability to do research and be able to recognize source material on the internet is needed. Depending on the degree the student is seeking, being able to create videos and presentations is useful. Success with keyword searches also creates a better student.
Jocelyn M. Dervis
Jocelyn,
Good point. Don't you think there may be base line knowledge based on the course? I do think it is good for students to know about presentations in the online environment. Great points.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think the ability to properly utilize word-processing programs would be one of the most important. Often times I see students that are not familiar with the various word processing programs out there and they struggle when writing papers on ensuring that their format it correct and that they effectively utilize grammatical and spelling checks within the program.
Students need to know how to type! If they don't have any typing skills, then this can lead to very frustrating situations very quickly.
They need to know how to use spelling check and grammar check using MS Word. In addition, they need to know how to cite their sources, following the APA guidelines.
Chanda Ghose
The most important technical skill an online learner should have is being able to access the LMS and mark the site as a 'favorite'.
Other skills include those skills necessary to perform the day-to-day activities of the student's classroom, for instance upload a file, post to a discussion forum, listen/participate in a live chat, and access the multi-media.
The importance of email should not be forgotten; sending/receiving email, attaching a file, responding/forwarding, accessing different folders, and organizing email.
Students should also have a basic knowledge of word processing and Windows.
Thomas ,
That is true! They can't utilize the software that will help them create a document easily. It is very bothersome.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Madhuchanda,
Yes, it is amazing how many students do not know how to type. I think that may be an online barrier. . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Mary,
Agreed! I do think there has to be some orientation to the LMS. It is so important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
In order a student to be successful in the online environment they have to be able to access the web, write a paper and know how to cite their references, they have to be able to use word, excell and powerpoint in certain classes. They definitely have to use time management in order to make sure that they are meeting the deadlines every week.
Being able to communicate is going to be very important in the online environment.
Patricia
Hi Melissa,
Do you provide this guide to the students or does the school provide the guide? I like that you provide this information so that the student can hopefully be successful.
Patricia
Patricia,
I agree with you. I think time management is the key. I have started using Outlook calendar as a part of the assignment process. I build in alarms and notes for them to upload in their PHONE. They do read their phone!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
All technical skills are important in courses for online students. I find in my Lab the students forget some things though. When I tell them to attach their finished reports to an email and send them to me, they are lost. I know they have learned how; but they have just forgotten in there course of finishing their classes. So a refresher is always a good key to technical skills.
Patricia,
There is nothing wrong in making them retake a tutorial to remind them what is important procedurally in the course. It reinforces the importance of following procedures; a skill they will use in the real world.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Students must be able to navigate the virtual classroom. This includes submitting assignments, engaging in discussion boards, and sending emails. They must also be able to utilize the library and other research sources for information relevant to their work.
I do think if students are readily prepared to engage in online courses that they should have the necessary tools and equipment needed. Most institutions do have a software requirement for students, but does not specify that they are required to know how to perform the basic computer functions for an online course.
There are many students who are much older that has not used a computer for many years. These students could truly benefit from taking an introduction to computer course to help them function not just through a specific LMS, but outside as well. Learning specifics such as word, power point, excel, and internet functions.
Lori
Lori
In my course, students need to:
1) Be able to search the internet.
2) Access various areas of the online classroom (i.e. library, learning labs, discussion board, etc.).
3) Download, save, and upload files.
4) Spell check.
5) Be able to use email, and download the technology needed to access chats.
