Prerequisite Technology Skills

UB South Campus aerial view during winter.
All students are required to have certain technology competencies before beginning their professional program at the School of Dental Medicine.

Instructors will assume that you have the following skills on the first day of class:

  • Ability to create folder directories.
  • Ability to find files.
  • Ability to save files to removable media.
  • Ability to use a web browser to seek information available via the internet and assess the value of (for example, discern the value of Wikipedia and Google vs. a peer-reviewed journal).
  • Ability to bookmark web pages for future reference.
  • Ability to play audio and video files.
  • Ability to download, view and edit files.
  • Ability to navigate and use a course management system, such as Blackboard or Moodle. SDM course sites are on Brightspace, which is powered by Blackboard.
  • Familiarity with a word processing program (such as Microsoft Word).
  • Familiarity with a computer operating system (Windows or OS X).
  • Ability to send and receive email attachments.
  • Ability to troubleshoot basic technology issues (download plug-ins and players as needed).
  • Familiarity with UB’s Getting Started with IT website.

To acquire these skills, students may take courses at a community continuing education program, a computing-training center, or a community college. These skills can also be self-taught with the help of a textbook (such as the Visual Quickstart series), the instruction manual for the specific software, or online tutorials.

Early Requisite Technology Skills

All students are required to further develop competencies throughout the course of the program. Self-directed, lifelong learning is encouraged with technology throughout the program.

Instructors will assume that you have met the prerequisites anddevelop these skills as you advance through the program.

  • Ability to log in and utilize features of axiUm, the SDM’s Clinic Information System. In years 2-4, students will progress to advanced uses of this system, including patient scheduling, treatment planning, treatment reporting and diagnostic imaging. These skills will be used daily within the clinic setting on the Point of Care (PoC) computers, as well as outside the clinic setting on your notebook computer via secure remote login.
  • Ability to utilize features of a UB Learns course site (Wikis, blogs, discussion boards, email, check grades, etc.).
  • Familiarity with UB Libraries resources and procedures.
  • Ability to access online library journals and course reserve materials.
  • Ability to evaluate the quality and authenticity of web resources.
  • Ability to use a bibliographic database, such as EndNote.
  • Ability to use audio and video via the web.
  • Familiarity with a presentation program (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote or Prezi).
  • Familiarity with SDM Policies & Procedures.
  • Regular use (daily, or within two business days) of UB email account
  • Growing familiarity and responsible use of emerging technologies, such as wikis, blogs, discussion boards, Google, and social media.

In addition to the skills developed in class, students may take advantage of on-campus workshops. Some Workshops are also offered through the UB Libraries.