Necessary Technical Knowledge and Skills for Distance Learning
When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technical skills needed in order to have a successful course. Students in distance education courses must have knowledge of basic computer and Internet skills listed below.
Note: Contact your professor or refer to your course syllabus for any additional technical knowledge or skills you may need in your course.
Required Basic Technical Knowledge and Skills
- Getting online.
- Using an Internet browser. (Recommended browsers: Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Avoid: Internet Explorer, since this is no longer supported by Blackboard.)
- Downloading, saving, opening, and printing material found online.
- Conducting Internet searches.
- Composing e-mail/course messages and attaching documents. (Blackboard Student Help Link: Course Messages)
- Posting to a discussion forum. (Blackboard Student Help Link: Threads)
- Submitting to a drop box or assignment. (Blackboard Student Help Link: Submit Assignments)
- Writing and editing with a word processor, such as Notepad, MS Word, etc.
- Take online examinations.
- Learning new computer skills.
Office of Information Technology
Instructional Technology & Distance Education Services
Killam Library, Room 259
Phone: (956) 326-2792
Fax: (956) 326-2299
E-mail: elearning@tamiu.edu