by Raven Lebeau

Created on: August 25, 2007

The most essential computer skill to have is the ability to learn new software.

Sure, it's nice to have basic word processing and spreadsheet skills, but computers in college level education play a much greater role than as an aide to preparing neat homework assignments to print out and turn in.

For example, many of the courses you take will have online homework, even if the course is not listed as "online" or "interactive". You will go to an old-fashioned lecture with a teacher and a chalkboard (ok, a dryboard... same idea) but outside of class you'll be on the web, pointing and clicking your way to academic acheivement.

Online homework has many advantages including instantaneous feedback and freedom from the hassel of turning in papers. Many instructors will set the homework program to allow multiple attempts at each problem, giving even error-prone students the opportunity to earn a high homework grade. As with any other teaching material, online homework has its own set of challenges. You can get the most out of your web-based learning experience by adhering to the following guidelines:

1. Use the help menu and use it often. Most help menus can be accessed by clicking "help" and will allow you to choose from a list of topics or to type in a keyword. Be flexible with your choice of keywords. If "natural logarithm" produced no results, try "logarithm calculations" or something similar. Small differences in word choice can be the difference between getting the information you need and getting frustrated.

2. Start your assignment early! Computer problems are a fact of life. Your internet service could go out, your system could be disabled by a virus, or your spouse could burn out a ram chip with poor programming. Don't count on being able to do your homework "at the last minute".

3. Work in a campus computer lab if possible, even if you own a first rate computer at home. There are usually techs or teaching assistants there who are happy to help with technical questions.

4. Don't be shy about needing help. Young people, perhaps your fresh-out-of-grad school professors or your cocky undergrad teaching assistants, WILL look at you like you are from another planet if you ask basic computer questions. But think about this way- when you show them what a capable student you are by succeeding in the course, they'll be that much more impressed. Succeeding in college without incoming tech saavy is like going from a hospital bed to the Boston Marathon- darn impressive!

5. Try not to resent the fact that you need to learn computer skills as well as the content area of your course. Think of the situation as getting double your money's worth; you get to learn technological skills and an academic subject at the same time. In fact, the computer skills you gain may be more of a resume builder than the class you're taking or even the degree you earn! If school challenges you to learn many different types of software and you still succeed, then potential employers will know you can handle changing technology.

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