Technology and Computer Proficiency
Technology and Computer Profiency
Computer Proficiency Requirement
The College of Nursing requires all students to be computer proficient prior to entering their clinical courses. Students must indicated proficiency in the following skills:
Required Skills:
- Logging on to the University's MyGateway portal (mygateway.umsl.edu)
- Send, receive, and respond to web-based email on and off campus
- Attach a document/file to an email message
- Familiar with using a graphical interface to access programs (use of Icons on the desktop)
- Start up and switch between multiple programs/windows
- Copy, move, rename and delete files
- Create, move, rename and delete folders
- Able to use a web browser to access the Internet
- Able to create and organize bookmarks in web browser
- Be familiar with several different search engines to find information
- Use the Internet to collect and print information
- Able to download programs from the Internet to your computer
- Able to save, copy, and incorporate Internet information into a word processing program
- Create a document using a word processor
- Able to save, edit, and print a document in a word processing program
Preferred, but not Required:
- Able to create, edit, enter formulae for calculations, and create graphs using a spreadsheet
- Able to create PowerPoint presentations (including adding video clips, sounds, and links to other presentations)
The College of Nursing has adopted:
- Windows/PC as its operating system
- Microsoft Word as its standard for word processing
- APA, the latest edition, as the standard manuscript style. (The University bookstore has APA disks available for Word and WordPerfect.)
The University has adopted:
- Internet Explorer and Firefox as its standard browsers
- Blackboard's MyGateway as its course management software
Resources for computer literacy proficiency:
- Computer courses, including free Short Courses
- Computer lab training
ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE
What follows is a list of software that we think is a MUST for anyone owning a computer. Some of the software listed is supplied with most new computers, others you will have to download from the manufacturer's homepage. Where apppropriate, we have included the download links for your convenience.
Internet Browser and plugins
Once connected, you will need a web browser, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or others (like Opera) will work just fine. Faculty here at the University post materials in various formats, so it is likely that you will need to get some browser plugins if you use Firefox. Internet Explorer will automatically download the plugin for you when it comes across one you don´t have. For Firefox users, here is a short list of essential plugins. They are all FREE:
| Adobe Flash | used to view an increasing number of modern web sites |
| Adobe Reader | allows you to view PDF files |
| Adobe Shockwave | similar to Flash, but less popular |
| Apple Quicktime | for viewing Quicktime movies and sounds |
| Cosmo Player | a VRML plugin used to view 3D models |
| Windows Media Player | allows you to view streaming audio and video |