Essential Computer Skills and Software for Success in Online School
Posted: May 08, 2025 | Author: Madelyn Bushman | Read Time: 4 minutes
As you begin your journey in online school at Southern Utah University, there are a few essential computer skills and software you will need to have in order to successfully complete your degree.
Here’s a guide to the key skills and software you should be familiar with to thrive in an online learning environment.
Video Conferencing Tools
Video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams have become the backbone of online classes. This is because they facilitate live discussions, lectures, and group projects, mimicking the traditional classroom experience.
Zoom offers breakout rooms for group work, screen sharing for presentations, recording options to record presentations or lectures, and a chat function for real-time communication.
Tips for Success
- Familiarize yourself with the camera and microphone settings.
- Practice using features like screen sharing and breakout rooms before important sessions.
Online Proctoring Software
Online exams are often overseen with the use of proctoring software, like Proctorio, to ensure academic integrity. Understanding how to use this tool is essential for taking exams confidently and efficiently. The last thing you want is for a user error with Proctorio to compromise your testing.
But what is Proctorio, you might ask? Proctorio monitors your environment via a web camera, tracking your activity during exams. SUU offers tips, tutorials, and help within Canvas Resources (SUU login required) to ensure all students can easily access help with Proctorio when needed.
Tips for Success
- Test your setup before exam day to resolve any technical issues.
- Ensure a distraction-free environment to enhance focus.
Word Processing Skills
Both Microsoft Word and Google Docs have a lot of key features. Both offer robust formatting skills, templates, and editing features. Google Docs also enables real-time collaboration, making it easy and efficient to work on group assignments. Plus, it includes a speech-to-text feature that can be a time saver. Apache OpenOffice is comparable to the Microsoft suite of applications but is free.
Tips for Success
- Learn keyboard shortcuts to increase efficiency.
- Utilize built-in templates for various assignments to save time.
- Find free tutorials on YouTube. You can also check with your local community education provider or local library for courses.
Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets are vital for data analysis, budgeting, and project planning. Many courses at SUU utilize spreadsheets, such as math, statistics, economics, and more. Understanding how to use spreadsheets and all of the features and functions that are available is essential to enhance your analytical skills.
Need a graph for a presentation? Those come from spreadsheets! Need to sort a bunch of data? Perform simple or complex calculations? Once you get into spreadsheets, you will be amazed at how versatile and valuable they are not only to your education but also to your career.
There are three different types of spreadsheet programs that students may use: Microsoft Excel, Apache Open Office Calc, and Google Sheets. Microsoft Excel provides advanced functions and data visualization tools, while Google Sheets allows you to easily share and collaborate with peers.
Tips for Success
- Start with basic formulas, such as Average or Sum, before exploring advanced features like conditional formatting or tables.
- Use online tutorials to strengthen your skills. Find these on YouTube , Udemy , or Coursera. Also, check with your local library to see if they offer in-person classes.
Canvas
Canvas is a learning management system platform that houses online courses. This is where instructors provide course materials, assignments, grades, and exams. Canvas also includes a calendar of all of the due dates for assignments, communication tools to contact professors and peers, and more.
This platform streamlines the online learning experience as it provides everything students need to access their courses fully. Take a peek inside Canvas at SUU with this video on What to Expect from Online Courses.
Tips for Success
- Regularly check for announcements or updates from instructors - occasionally due dates change or assignments are updated.
- Familiarize yourself with navigation and features to access all resources quickly and efficiently.
Program-specific Software
At SUU, there are online programs that use specific software relevant to the career industry. Most courses will walk students through the software or provide further assistance via tutorials or tips.
For example, SUU’s Online Bachelor of Communication program utilizes unique resources and software like virtual reality and eye-tracking. Additionally, SUU’s Online Master of Music Technology program utilizes Adobe Premier Pro and middleware applications Audiokinetic Wwise and Unity Game Engine to help students create and produce music for video and casino games, film scoring, and the like.
There are many other program-specific software that are used in academic programs, but no need to worry about whether you will be able to successfully operate them. There are tutorial videos, professors available to help, peers who may already have experience with the software, and tips available online.
Success in online school hinges on a combination of the right computer skills and software tools. By familiarizing yourself with these tools, you will set yourself up for a productive and successful online educational experience where you gain proficiency or even mastery of the industry-standard applications and industry-leading software for your chosen field.
Embrace these tools, and you’ll not only navigate online school with confidence but also develop skills that will be useful in your future career.
Tags: Academic SUU Online
