Information and Communication Technology (ICT) proficiency

Information and communication technology (ICT) refers to technologies like computers, mobile phones, and tablet devices, as well as the many software programs that these machines can run, which allow us to access information and communicate with each other. The Internet (often referred to as 'the web', although these have slightly different meanings (opens in a new window)) is a major piece of ICT in that it connects many millions of machines to each other via a global network.

Whether you are required to attend on campus or not, it's likely that you will spend a significant portion of time studying online. You'll need to know how to access learning materials, how to communicate effectively with other students and staff using email and discussion boards, and which software to use for producing your assignments.

Check out these ICT essentials for Western Sydney students:

• vUWS (opens in a new window) (pronounced 'views') is the University's e-Learning system
• Your Student email (opens in a new window)is the official communication channel between you and the University
• Zoom (opens in a new window) is available for videoconferencing
• Western Wi-Fi (opens in a new window) is the University's on campus wireless network
• Computer lab locations and facilities (opens in a new window) on each campus
• IT Service Desk (opens in a new window) includes phone, email, and chat support

And that's just the start! Once you get comfortable with using ICT for your studies, you'll realise there are so many possibilities for designing and programming computer systems and user interfaces. You might decide to learn some basic coding, or discover some of the free software tools for presenting and managing content on the web.

• Presentation apps (MS Powerpoint Online (opens in a new window), Prezi (opens in a new window), Projeqt (opens in a new window), eMaze (opens in a new window), Slides (opens in a new window))
• Microsoft Office Tutorials (opens in a new window)(YouTube)
• University staff and students have free access to the LinkedInLearning online training library covering software titles, scripting languages, design and web development platforms. You need to activate your account with your Western Student email address and password (opens in a new window).
• Once you've activated your account (as above), try the LinkedIn Learning topic: Skills and tools for student success (opens in a new window).

Because software and hardware are always changing, you'll need to consider how the documents and projects you create whilst at uni will remain accessible in future. Try saving electronic documents in open file formats (opens in a new window) wherever possible, back up your files regularly, and have a file naming system (opens in a new window) so you know what's what!

• The Personal Digital Archive Toolkit (opens in a new window) provides steps to preserve your digital photographs, emails, recordings, and documents.

Drop into a campus library (opens in a new window) and ask Library staff or chat with an Online Librarian (opens in a new window) or ask a study expert.