I think the most basic skills you need are to be able to search the Internet and be able to upload files. Knowing how to naviagate around the LMS would depend on which school you attend since schools use different ones.
Technical skills that I deem important for online students are:
- Basic internet navigation skills
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office products and how to utilize
- Spellcheck
- Grammar check
- Email
- File upload
- Text messaging
- Discussion Board
- Chatting
compreca,
You are so right. Students don't explore the LMS as many don't want to and others are scared to. I have used tutorials to help showcase important sites and provide directions on how to use them.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hello, Students should be able to communicate via technology. Verbal communication is different from communicating via computer. Students have to grasp the concepts of using proper tone, as well as, completing spell-checks, etc. Another important skill is navigating classroom platfrom comfortably. Students are sometimes intimidated by new systems and will lose out on good resources because they cannot find them.
Thanks,
Compreca
Colleen,
That is a great idea. I use it too. It makes life so much easier. . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Our school provides a tutorial for navigating the learning management system, but not for any other skills. I use jing videos to provide course content, and I could easily make jing videos to demonstrate technical procedures. Thanks for the suggestion.
Colleen,
It is so important that you know the important technical skills needed by your students. Does your institution provide a tutorial for your students to learn the technology available?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
In my class, the technical skills that are necessary are the ability to: navigate the learning management system, to upload and download files, to work in Word and Excel documents, to use a search engine, and to attach a document to an email. Also, an online homework system is used in some of my courses, and students need to learn to navigate this system.
Carolyn,
Great points. Students have skills; they just have to be used in a specific way and to have expectations for students to use the technology appropriately.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Students must know/learn how to access the Web from something other than their cell phones! Students need to learn (we need to teach them) that YouTube is for more than the latest concert video or make-up craze. Student's eyes need opening to the educational items available with both YouTube and Google.
Julie,
Do you use a tutorial or some type of orientaiton to help identify these skills to the student.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
What technical skills do you see as important for your online students?
• Login and use the school's Learning Management System (LMS)
• Login and use the school's online library system
• Save a Microsoft Word file as a .pdf file
• Copy, cut, and paste text in a document
• Use the spell checker and thesaurus
• Search the Internet effectively
• Attach a file to an email
• Save and retrieve files using a USB drive
Kimberley,
True. It is also easy to record a tutorial with that information. It is important for students to work on those skills.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I would have to say the basics:
-Searching the internet
-Uploading a document
-Opening and attaching a document
-Navigating through the online course
I think that it is best to keep it simple when it comes to technical skills. I always tell my students to ask me questions about accessing information within the course. Technical skills can be easily learned and practiced.
RICARDO,
Great list! The LMS is so important. I usually provide a tutorial that helps them navigate through it. That can be the greatest barrier.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
You are right, the technical support group should be available to the distance student. Does your institution provide an orientation for the portal and other technology usage?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dr. Wilkinson:
The technical skills outlined in the readings include the ability to:
1) Copy, cut, and paste text in a document?
2) Save a Microsoft Word file as a .pdf file?
3) Use the spell checker and thesaurus?
4) Search the Internet effectively?
5) Attach a file to an email?
6) Save and retrieve files using a USB drive?
7) Download plug-ins such as Flash, Adobe Reader, etc.?
8) Login and use the school's online library system?
9) Login and use the school's Learning Management System (LMS)?
10) Determine if you have a MAC or PC and your operating system?
Each student will find it necessary to apply these skills at some point in their education so they are all important for online students.
Dr. Ricardo Richards
Online students have to be more technical than brick and mortar students. Obviously, online learning includes technology. The ability to navigate the classroom portal, upload, download and minimal troubleshooting abilities are needed. I always provide my student with the e-mail and telephone number of the technical support group.
Shirley,
Great post. I think we underestimate the research and search ability of many of our students. That is so important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Lawrence,
That is great observation. They do have to have some troubleshooting skills that will help them navigate issues and explain it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
