IT Skills for Successful Study

Citation

(2006), "IT Skills for Successful Study", Education + Training, Vol. 48 No. 2/3. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2006.00448bae.002

IT Skills for Successful Study

IT Skills for Successful StudyAlan ClarkePalgrave2005ISBN: 1403992711£11.99

There can scarcely be a student in the land who does not own, or have access to, a decent computer. But how many students are making the most of this valuable learning tool? IT Skills for Successful Study assumes that readers already have basic skills in information and communication technology. It is based around intermediate-level skills and knowledge, with some advanced-level content. The chapter on writing, for example, assumes that the reader has used Word to produce straightforward documents, and builds on this experience to help students to produce longer and better-presented documents. The chapter on working with numbers assumes experience of entering text and numbers into applications, and extends this knowledge so the reader can mathematically analyse and model information. In addition, it helps the student to present numerical information in the form of charts and graphs. Few students can lack experience of sending and receiving e-mail, so the chapter on Microsoft Outlook offers the opportunity to use an e-mail management application to organize oneself and one’s studies. The chapter on finding information assumes that the reader has begun to explore the world wide web, and provides help with improving one’s searching and judgement of online information.

Fewer students, perhaps, are familiar with how to organize information. The chapter on Microsoft Access assumes that the reader has little experience of creating databases, and helps him or her to learn how to exploit a database as part of his or her learning. Similarly, working from the basis that students have little experience of presenting or using visual aids, the chapter on Microsoft Powerpoint provides the opportunity to develop a presentation. And when it comes to managing the overall system, the book again assumes little prior knowledge of operating systems. It concentrates on showing how to get the best out of Microsoft Windows.

Information technology can be rather dry as subject matter for students who do not specialize in it. The book is replete with activities and examples that help to make the topic more interesting to the casual reader.

IT Skills for Successful Study targets students who have just finished their A-levels and are planning the transition to higher education. At this stage, students need to take greater responsibility for managing their studies. They need to organize their time to prepare assignments, meet deadlines, reflect on their learning and lead a healthy life. These competing pressures are exacerbated, for many, by the need to integrate study with part-time work. As the author helpfully points out: “Computer applications will help you to plan your time, and help to remind you of time limits, objectives and critical goals. They cannot give you extra time, but they can help you to make the most of what you have.”