Technology Requirements

Information Professionals need to be current with technology in order to best serve patrons. It is necessary to start your degree program with a comfortable skill level with technology in order to be involved successfully with your classes. Nearly all classes have an online component which ranges from simply staying in contact with professors and other students between class weekends to a fully online class.

Students take part in online components through the use of Blackboard. This is an online system which includes a bulletin board for discussion, chat rooms, places to post assignments to the instructor, and places for the instructor to post documents to be read.

SLIM has a prerequisite class, LI513, that will help you gain the necessary skills. It currently includes sections on: using Blackboard, online searching, using presentation software (PowerPoint), and creating a website. See below for computer requirements, and you can also read the most recent syllabus for LI513 to understand more.

Requirements for taking part in SLIM classes include a computer with:

Internet Access

Internet browser with ability to run Blackboard, our online learning environment. Read more about requirements at: TCS Online Course Technical Support

The Microsoft PowerPoint software program used for classroom presentations.

Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to open documents saved as a PDF file (portable document format). This is commonly used, especially on the SLIM website. It is free at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html