Student Computing Skill Checklist

Wondering if your computer skills are up to the challenge of attending nursing courses in Ann Arbor or online? Take a look at the list below; it contains the bare-bones computer skills you'll need to be successful, and a number of resources to learn if you're new to computing.

Skill	Instructions
Basic computer skills
Basic Windows skills: starting programs, moving and resizing windows, the Start Menu, understanding how your computer is organized	"Welcome to Windows XP" by U-M's Knowledge Navigation Center "Entry-Level Computer Skills" Interactive tutorials by Internet4Classroom
Save files to a variety of locations and media; be able to find and open these files later; use "Save as..."	"I Know I Saved It, Now Where Is It?" by U-M's Knowledge Navigation Center
Web skills
Connect to the internet using your home computer setup (may be dial-up, cable modem, etc.)	Contact your Internet Service Provider: Comcast, Charter, AOL, Earthlink, etc.
Navigate web pages by following links, using the BACK button, filling in forms, making and using Favorites (Bookmarks) and using the REFRESH button.	"Using Internet Explorer Buttons" by Internet4Classroom "Using Netscape Toolbar Buttons" by Internet4Classroom
View a web page by typing in a URL.	"Understanding URLs" by Internet4Classroom
Conduct simple web searches (Google or Yahoo) using AND, OR, NOT to refine your search	"Google Unleashed" and "Academic Searching with Google" by U-M's Knowledge Navigation Center
E-mail skills
Log into an e-mail account (your existing account or your U-M account)	Contact your Internet Service Provider, or see "Using U-M WebMail" See also "Accessing ITCS Mail" for complete info on your U-M e-mail account, configuring Outlook or Eudora, and combatting spam and viruses.
Read messages
Create messages
Attach files
Navigate from a URL in an e-mail message to the web page, both by clicking the link and by pasting the URL into a web browser
Office software skills
Type. Can be "hunt and peck" typing, but you need to be comfortable typing a lot.	Free online touch-typing course
Create basic Word documents	"Entering and Editing Text in MS Word" by Internet4Classroom
Use basic formatting: font, font size, bold, italic, center, bullets	"Using the Formatting Toolbar in MS Word " by Internet4Classroom
Tables	"Creating Basic Tables in Microsoft Word" by Microsoft
Insert pictures	"Using Clip Art and Graphics" by U-M's Knowledge Navigation Center
Margins and paper orientation	"Page Options in Microsoft Word" by Internet4Classroom
Line spacing (single, double, etc.)	CTRL-A to select your whole document; Format Menu --> Paragraph --> Indents and Spacing tab --> Line spacing = single or Line spacing = double
Insert page break	Hold down the CTRL key and hit the ENTER key.

= Critical skills that students often lack

Short Courses

if you would like to take a more formal course in computer skills, you might take a short "community education" course from a local community college or city Rec & Ed department. For example:

Washtenaw Community College "Live, Work, Learn!" - Try "Windows Up and Running", and "Word - Beginning"
Ann Arbor Rec and Ed - see "adult enrichment" courses like "Introduction to MS Word" and "Welcome to the Internet"
Kalamazoo Public Schools Community Ed - good choices are "Computer Skills for the Workplace," "Introduction to the Internet," and "Keyboarding"
Northwestern Michigan College Extended Education - try "Introduction to Computers and XP," "Introduction to Word Processing," and "Internet Basics Part I"

Semester-Long Courses

For the most thorough instruction, we recommend the following semester-long college courses:

Washtenaw Community College Computer Information Systems courses - CIS 99 (Computer Literacy) or CIS 100 (Introduction to Software Applications)
Kalamazoo Community College Computer Informtion Systems courses - CIS 98 (Learning Computer & Internet Skills) or CIS 100 (Beginning Computer Skills)
Northwestern Michigan College Computer Information Systems courses - CIS 122A (Computer & Internet Basics I)

Where to go for help:

The School of Nursing doesn’t have computer tutors on site, but the University of Michigan has lots of free resources available.

Interactive Software Tutorials: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line.htm - very good list of basic tutorials on most software you'll use in college
Additional Computer Instructions: http://www.nursing.umich.edu/facultyresources/computerInstructions.html, including CTools, PowerPoint, Advanced Word, etc.
General help website: http://www.itd.umich.edu/help/index.html
CTools help: Log in at http://ctool.umich.edu/ and click “Help” in the lower left corner.
Computer help desk: 764-HELP or online.consulting@umich.edu – generally respond within 24 hours (often faster)
U -M Computer Showcase in the basement of the Michigan Union (see map) – provides one-on-one help with software, hardware, and computer purchases
Angell Hall Courtyard computing site - provides one-on-one help with software and hardware
School of Education computing site - provides one-on-one help with software and hardware

If you need help at home

Unfortunately, there is no University service that will come to your house and set up your computer. They do, however, have good instructions that you can print out on campus and take home.

You can also call or e-mail the Computer help desk: 734-764-HELP or online.consulting@umich.edu

Student Computing Skills Checklist

Skill

Instructions

Basic computer skills

Web skills

E-mail skills

Office software skills

Short Courses

Semester-Long Courses

Where to go for help:

If you need help at home