Being a first-year student at university can be extremely exciting and completely overwhelming – especially when it comes to understanding all the different tech resources and knowing which one does what and how to use them effectively.
This will be crucial when it comes to helping you understand how to access content and communicate outside of class with your peers and lecturers. The better you know the tech tools in place, the more efficient, productive, and successful your academic journey could be.
The first step is to get your student number and your institutional email address as you will need these to access the various platforms. The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) share six, commonly used university platforms that are going to be crucial for your varsity life:
- Student Information System: This platform, typically accessed via a portal, is where all your records are kept, including your results and timetable. Your institution will expect you to access it regularly so that you are aware of how you are doing. If you have any issues, reach out to the faculty office, or student support team.
- Learning Management System (LMS): The LMS is where all the content for your courses is located. Depending on your lecturer, you can access activities, PowerPoint presentations, and load your assignments/essays. Each module lecturer can assist, and there is typically an EdTech or LMS team to assist with general inquiries.
- Anti-plagiarism Detection Software: The system will check that the work you are submitting is your own and correctly referenced. Usually accessed through the LMS, you will need to send all your assignments/essays through this tool before submitting them. Your lecturer or tutor can assist you with your writing, but don’t expect drafts to be read beforehand. Most information centres/libraries have a support team in place to assist you with your writing and referencing. There should also be an EdTech or student support team for general inquiries.
- The Information/Library System: The library is where all the “knowledge” at university is located, including books, journal articles, and increasingly additional digital resources. It is essential to remember that you are expected to use more than a textbook in your essays. An information specialist/librarian can show you how to best use the system.
- Student Query System: Most universities have these systems, which typically save you time standing in long queues in faculty offices. Logging queries about an extension for an assessment or requesting your academic transcript, or any general queries can be done through this platform. The campus support team can help you with this.
- Virtual Labs: This is a cloud-based repository of different software. You will be directed by your lecturer to the necessary applications. You need login details, then you can access the software that you need from anywhere. Your lecturer will guide you, and there should be a campus support team for general inquiries.
