This document outlines the key technology skills needed for online learning at UB. It identifies the most critical skills as using a web browser, email, word processing, and learning management system navigation. The document provides guidance on developing proficiency with these skills, such as updating software, using email attachments, basic word functions, and familiarizing with UBlearns. It encourages students to assess their skills and seek help from available resources to be well prepared for online coursework.

1. TechnologySkills for Online Learning
GSE’s Office of Online Education Presents:

2. About TechnologySkills
• 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…

3. 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:

4. 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

5. Update Software and Install Plug-Ins
To 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!

6. Use a Web Browser and Search the Internet
You’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?

7. 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: cit-helpdesk@buffalo.edu
• 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 ScholarAdvice 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:

14. 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: cit-helpdesk@buffalo.edu
• 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?