As a Penn State World Campus student, you rely on technology in numerous ways to be able to complete your studies. If you’re comfortable with Web basics, such as shopping online, sending emails, or posting to social media sites, you might be a bit technologically proficient.
However, you may be missing the ways to make the most of technology to boost your productivity and assist you in improving your online student experience. Some suggestions that may be of particular benefit to you include:
1. Find the shortcut keys for your operating system: Keyboard shortcuts can help you save time and effort when you complete tasks that may necessitate a mouse or a similar device.
- Windows Shortcut Keys
- Mac OS X Shortcut Keys
2. Be aware of software updates: Do not miss an important update to your computer’s software, which may cause issues in your classwork.
- If you are using a PC and you want to keep it running, consider regularly installing and running Windows Updates. Windows 10: For Windows 10, open the “Start” menu, choose “Settings,” go to “Update and Security Settings,” and then select “Windows Updates.” For Windows 11, open the “Start” menu, then select “Settings,” and then choose “Windows Updates.”
- If you are using a Mac choose the Apple icon and then choose “System Settings.” Then, select “General” followed by “Software Update.” On the next screen, click the info icon on the Automatic Updates option. The screen will display a variety of update options. These include:
- Automatically look for updates.
- Updates to download when they become available
- Install MacOS updates
- Install updates to your application through the App Store
- Install Security Responses and install system files
- We recommend that you select each of these options in order to make sure that updates are installed on your computer frequently.
3. Create a user profile for your classes: Windows or Mac systems can both permit the creation of different user accounts. This allows you to protect your personal or work files distinct from your school documents, which can be particularly important when you share the computer with your family or with other people in your home.
4. Get the most benefit from Office 365: You can use Office 365 to access your Penn State email is provided via Office 365, which also includes a wide range of productivity software.
- Get familiar using your Outlook application, which is where you can check the email account you have created at Penn State email or set up forwarding of your email.
- Find out how to connect the Penn State Office 365 email to Outlook on your personal computer.
- Find out the best way to transfer your Penn State email from Office 365 to an individual email account.
5. You can dedicate a browser to be used only for school work If you would prefer: This is another method to keep your school activities separated from work or personal or other activities.
6. Make sure to backup your files regularly by copying them to the USB flash drive, or external HDD, or an online storage facility “in the cloud.” If you’re as a Penn State student, you can save your documents online with OneDrive. The ability to store documents in more than one storage location will help prevent loss of files in the event of an accident or a system crash.
Be sure to ensure that you save all data related to your keys for activation of software in a safe location. Certain companies might ask you to pay a cost to retrieve keys to activate your software. It is recommended that all activation keys are stored as text files once uploading to OneDrive or other external media. Transfer any activation keys that have been emailed to you in separate folders in your email.
7. Reach out to with the Penn State IT Service Desk immediately if you encounter problems in a timed exam or test, or you require general assistance. Be aware that as an Penn State World Campus student you are able to access 24/7 for the IT Service Desk, a team of experienced professionals who are eager to assist you with any technical issues that you might encounter.
8. If you’re submitting attachments to the assignment dropbox, you should try selecting your file after it’s completed. This will enable you to verify that the right file is uploaded and accessible.
The application will lock your files while you work on them. This could prevent the file from being uploaded. It is crucial to start by saving your files, and then close the file within the application to release the lock so that the file can be uploaded.
9. Utilize the free technology resources Penn State provides to students:
- Penn State Software: Provides download-able software
- Adobe Creative Cloud: Provides software such as Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and more
- WebLabs: Provides a complete desktop computer lab in the cloud (requires GlobalProtect VPN connections)
- LinkedIn Learning: Provides online training on frequently used software (This is accessible to students after the beginning of class.)
Contact our Penn State IT Service Desk anytime with any technical support queries or assistance in using Penn State systems.
