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Pre-requisite Skills and Recommended Resources
It's Not All About Computers,but.....
Technology Skills | Recommended Resources
The following statement has been approved by the office of Academic Affairs for insertion in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs:
Beginning with the fall 2002 academic term, the University of Central Florida will expect all students to have ready access to a personal computer and software appropriate to his or her field of study. Students can meet this expectation by purchasing or leasing a computer, sharing a computer with family or roommates, or using a UCF student PC lab. All UCF students should expect to use a personal computer in many university activities, including coursework, accessing library information, registering for classes, and e-mailing correspondence to instructors or fellow students.
In addition, many UCF courses require the use of the World Wide Web and the Internet. The University of Central Florida has developed one of the nation's most advanced campus technology environments, and all UCF students are provided with free e-mail accounts and Internet access. Students wishing to acquire a personal computer are strongly advised to consider a notebook computer with a wireless networking card. Technology Skills
There is no doubt that computer technology has become an important aspect of many fields of study, as evidenced by the statement (above). Instructional Technology is no exception. However, with that said, we feel it is important to dispel one, if not the greatest myth, about Instructional Technology is that it is all about computers; it's not. You do not have to be a computer whiz to be successful in our program or the field. In fact, there are many aspects of Instructional Technology that do not require advanced computer skills (e.g., instructional design, needs assessment, evaluation).
One, but not the only, appealing part of Instructional Technology that attracts many to the field is that if you are interested in, and want to develop advanced computer and multimedia skills, you can, but you certainly don't have too in order to be successful. There are, however, some basic computer skills that will facilitate your entry into, and success throughout our program.
The checklists, provided below, will help you determine if you have the basic computer skills necessary to begin our instructional technology master's, doctoral degree or certificate programs. These skills are particularly important if you want to take our program at a distance. If you do not have one or more of these skills, we suggest that you gain these skills before entering the program by:
- Picking up a basic computer textbook, preferably with electronic tutorials;
- Taking an introductory computer course at a local area community college;
- Asking knowledgeable friends or colleagues for help; and/or
- Attending basic technology workshops.
If you are considering taking courses and/or completing a professional certificate or our master's degree online, we also recommend that you vist UCF Learning Online.
Basic Computer Hardware Skills and Knowledge
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I can identify the visible (outside) components of a computer. |
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I can turn on and off a computer system correctly. |
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I can insert, format and eject a floppy disk. |
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I can manipulate a mouse, including selecting, double clicking, and dragging items. |
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I can change the settings in the computer in the control panel such as date, time, font size, sound, monitor setting and other hardware settings. |
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I know how the computer works in the primary four functions of input (keyboard, mouse and a CD-ROM reader), processing (CPU), storage (Zip cartridge, floppy disk, hard drive, superdisks, CD-ROM, etc.), and output (monitor, hard copy and soft copy). |
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I know basic computer terms such as: bit, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte, RAM, ROM and digital. |
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I can determine the size of a file or folder. |
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I can save files to different storage devices (e.g., floppy, harddrive). |
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I can access network resources such as servers and printers |
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I can open, close, resize and move windows |
Basic Software Skills and Knowledge
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I can locate and launch desired application |
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I can search for and find a file using the computer's search function. |
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I can name, save, and delete files |
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(PC users) I can manage basic Windows/desktop commands such as open MY COMPUTER, empty the RECYCLE BIN, locate and use the START button and use the TASK BAR. |
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(Mac users) I can manage basic Mac OS commands such as open my hard drive, empty the TRASH, locate and use primary FINDER operations. |
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I can open the control panel and change the display settings. |
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I know that there are two basic operation systems for computers (MAC OS2 and Windows). I can create files that are compatible to both systems. |
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I know that there are two basic types of software (operating system software and application software). |
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I can create and manage files and file folders. I can move and rename those files and folders. |
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I can launch an application, create a document, use the copy/paste and cut/paste commands, change fonts: type, size, color and style, add clip art to documents, use numbering, bullets, and color in documents and use the spell checker. |
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I can state the basic legal aspects of software, image use and material that has a copyright. |
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I can save work in various ways on various storage devices. I understand file types (.doc, .dot, .txt, .rtf). |
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I can launch several programs and multitask using a computer. |
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I can set-up page (vertical and horizontal) |
Basic Telecommunication Skills and Knowledge
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I can access the Internet. |
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I can describe the functions and features of major types of electronic communications (listservs, e-mail, newsgroups, world wide web, chat and bulletin boards). |
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I can list components required to access the Internet at home and work. |
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I can send, receive, forward and print e-mail messages. |
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I can upload and download files from the Internet. |
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I can use the basic features of Netscape Communicator or MS Internet Explorer |
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I can find search engines on the Internet. |
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I can use search engines on the Internet to find personal and professional Web site information, including advanced search strategies (e.g., boolean searches). |
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I can evaluate and cite information on the Internet. |
Recommended Resources
The hardware and software applications necessary to complete course assignments and activities are available in our teaching labs. Required hardware and software, as well as some advanced research and multimedia development applications are also availabe in our Instructional Technology Graduate Lab so you have access outside of class. However, we do recommend that you acquire or secure access to your own personal computer and some basic software applications (as described below). Student discounts for both hardware and software are available at UCF's Computer Store.
Hardware
The following are recommended configurations for both PC and MacIntosh computer platforms. While either platform may be used throughout your program of study, it is important to note that most computers used in our courses and labs are PC-based.
PC Minimum configuration:
- CPU: 600MHz Intel Celeron processor
- Memory: 64MB RAM
- Hard drive: 6.4GB hard drive
- Floppy drive: 3.5", 1.44MB
- CD-ROM drive
- Monitor: 15" Color SVGA .26mm Dot-pitch (minimum) required for imaging LAN application.
- Network Interface Card: 3COM or Intel 10/100 Ethernet card
- Operating System: Windows NT Workstation/Windows 2000 (preferred), Windows XP or Windows 98/Millennium Edition w/Y2K Compliant Service packs installed.
PC Recommended configuration:
- CPU: 733MHz or better Intel Pentium III processor
- Memory: 128MB RAM
- Hard drive: 10GB hard drive
- Floppy drive: 3.5", 1.44MB
- CD-ROM drive
- Monitor: 15" Color SVGA .26mm Dot-pitch
- Network Interface Card: 3COM or Intel 10/100 Ethernet card
- Operating System: Windows NT Workstation/Windows 2000 (preferred), Windows XP or Windows
- 98/Millennium Edition w/Y2K Compliant Service packs installed.
Macintosh Minimum configuration:
- CPU: 500MHz Power PC processor (Power Macintosh G3)
- Memory: 64MB RAM
- Hard drive: 20GB Hard drive
- CD-ROM drive
- Monitor: 17" Color SVGA .26mm Dot-pitch (minimum) required for imaging LAN application.
- Network Interface Card: Built-in Ethernet
- Operating System: Macintosh OS, current versions (OS 9.2.2/10.1.3)
Macintosh Recommended configuration:
- CPU: 500MHz or better Power PC processor (Power Macintosh G4)
- Memory: 128MB RAM
- Hard drive: 30GB hard drive
- CD-ROM drive
- Monitor: 17" Color SVGA .26mm Dot-pitch
- Keyboard and mouse
- Network Interface Card: Built-in Ethernet
- Operating System: Macintosh OS, current versions (OS 9.2.2/10.1.3)
Software
For students taking coursework at a distance, we are establishing processes that will enable you to access the required applications for the duration of each related course. Whether you are taking courses on-line or on-campus, you still may want to consider acquiring personal copies of certain software applications used throughout the program, including, but not necessarily limited too:
- Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint);
- Macromedia Dreamweaver;
- Adobe Acrobat Reader; and
- Internet Explorer.
Course specific applications that are also commonly used in the field that you may want to consider acquiring include, but are not limited too:
- Macromedia Dreamweaver Studio MX;
- Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements; and
- Adobe Premiere.
Note For AOL users: In order to prevent any potential technical glitch, AOL users may want to minimize AOL browser and pull up the Internet Explorer browser for WebCT courses.
Connectivity
To participate in Web-based courses, you must have access to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Every registered student is assigned a free account on UCF's Pegasus Server. This account provides you with Internet access, an e-mail account, and space for a personal home page on the World Wide Web. You can also consider obtaining your own private ISP account or cable connection. UCF is not in any position to introduce any ISPs to you. However, you may want to visit Yahoo Directory of ISPs.
To facilitate learning, we post instructional materials online for most, if not all courses. As such, we recommend that you have high-speed internet connections from home and/or work. You may use any Internet Service Provider, but please note, our online instructional materials have been optimize for use with Internet Explorer. While we do our best to test our online materials for ready and proper access across applications and platforms, if you use Netscape Communicator, Monzilla or other graphical web browsers, you may experience some technical glitches.
For further details and recommendations regarding connectivity and technical issues, please visit UCF Learning Online particularly if you are considering taking courses and/or completing a professional certificate or master's degree online.
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