Digital Skills – Resources For Skills Development

A general introduction to searching for information online (Google Search Help). 

For research staff, more specific resources for literature (and broader information) searches may be found here:

• LUA001 Study Skills: This module contains sessions exploring how best to find online resources at Loughborough University. 

• For a more advanced level, we offer an interactive tutorial (Effective Literature Searching). This covers topics such as journal searches and how best to use the Library Catalogue.

Information on support offered by IT Services.

Brief introductions to the following topics may be accessed here (links below will take you to YouTube):

• Buttons & Ports
• Understanding Laptops
• Operating Systems
• Getting Started with Windows
• Connecting To The Internet
• Whats The Cloud?
• Protecting Your Computer

Accessing IT Facilities

- Printers, computers, IT support etc

Information on the following may be accessed here:

• Software and Computer Access
• Printers
• Contacting IT Services

Guidance on common queries regarding confidential and personal data.

The University also offers further guidance for how we can keep confidential data safe whilst dynamic working. 

To access this resource you will need to sign in using your University account.

The University offers dedicated pages on Copyright guidance and polices. 

Further information on intellectual property (and its types) is provided by the Enterprise Network here.

Guides on how to adjust computer settings (link will take you to the GCFGlobal site.)

If you would like to test your knowledge of Microsoft Windows, a short quiz may be accessed here.

A general introduction to MS Teams (and MS Teams ‘Telephony’.)

Further insights into how best to use MS Teams and its functionalities.

Sharepoint

This video guide explores what MS SharePoint is, alongside how ‘sites’ work and can interact with MS Teams.

Information on what a Group Workspace is and how to connect to them.

Information on the following topics may be accessed here (YouTube):

• Getting Started on MS Word
• Creating Documents
• Saving & Sharing
• Formatting Documents
• Finding & Replacing Information
• Mail Merges

Information on the following topics may be accessed here (YouTube):

• Getting Started On MS Powerpoint
• Creating Presentations
• Applying Themes
• Managing Slides
• Recording & Rehearsing Slides

Information on the following topics may be accessed here (YouTube):

• Getting Started On MS Excel
• Cell Basics
• Formulas In Excel
• Pivot Tables

The University offers a Learn module for those developing their skills on Excel – including activities to self-assess your proficiency.

Microsoft offers a series of training videos for using MS Forms – from setting up a new form to adding different types of logic to aid data collection.

General information on commonly useful keyboard shortcuts (Microsoft Support.)

Information regarding how shortcuts can be used for assistive and accessibility enhancements (Microsoft Support.)

Information regarding how MS Planner can assist in managing your time and schedule (Microsoft Support.)

Alternatively, the University holds a subscription to LinkedIn Learning, which offers support on creative platforms, software, technology, and business skills. Included within these are various Digital Productivity insights which may be shared with Teams.

Sharing personal data is subject to a number of lawful requirements. Guidance on when and how it is appropriate to share personal data may be found here.

Loughborough University’s data protection policy enables all employees to support the data protection rights of subjects (including students, staff, alumni and other stakeholders).

Information on how we as an organisation are expected to handle data privacy and information security in a digital world.

FAQs on how to handle private or confidential data online.

An introduction to Learn and guides on administration and communication functions.

An introduction to ReVIEW, alongside case studies to support your awareness.

Guidance on WAMS for Academic colleagues.

Staff who require administrative support in using WAMS should request access to the relevant Teams site here, and then will need to access this folder: here.

Guidance on the process of procurement and using Agresso to move through the process.

To access this resource you will need to sign in using your University account.

Information on using Co-Tutor (including quick start guides).

The University offers guidance on Vevox – Loughborough University’s centrally supported voting system.

Information on how to use LUPIN appropriately.

Further insights into how to deposit publications into LUPIN (for academic and research staff.)

An introduction to using Archibus as a building administrator.

Further information on how to assign work to a craftsperson.

An introduction to SPSS (including tutorials and practical examples for all levels.)

Alternatively, the University Library offers a number of texts and ebooks on how to use SPSS. An example of which can be found here. 

An introduction to NVivo and common queries.

The University offers a series of courses for R users at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

SAS Tutorials for beginner and advanced users.

The University offers a series of resources on Python – from installation to practical exercises for more experienced users.

The Code Academy offers a number of free courses for C++, including those for beginners.

Open access (video) courses for those wishing to learn HTML.

W3Schools offer a free tutorial for SQL which has been broken down into an introduction to the software, followed how to use each of its key functions.

Guides on how to install/use Java as well as its key programming language.

To access this resource you will need to sign in using your University account. 

The University offers dedicated pages on Copyright guidance and policies.

Information on using Illustrator (Adobe Support)

Information on using Lightroom (Adobe Support)

Information on using Canva.  

An introduction to data management plans and policies.

Support on how to create a Data Management Plan (DMP) for research purposes.

Tutorials on all aspects on PowerBi.

Tableau offers a number of support pages and a learning library.