"UB South Campus".

Prerequisite Technology Skills

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 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 & edit files
  • Ability to navigate and use a course management system, such as Blackboard or Moodle. SDM course sites are on UBLearns, which is powered by Brightspace.
  • Familiarity with a word processing program (such as MS Office)
  • Familiarity with a computer operating system (Windows or MacOS)
  • 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 web site

To acquire these skills, students may take courses at a community continuing education program, a computing-training center, or 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 completion of 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 AND develop these skills as you advance through the program:

  • Ability to login and utilize features of Picasso, 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 using the Point of Care (PoC) computers as well as outside the clinic setting using your notebook computer with secure remote login.
  • Ability to utilize features of a UBLearns course site (Wikis, blogs, discussion boards, email, check grades, etc.)
  • Familiarity with UB Library 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 2 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 skills developed during class, students may take advantage of workshops on campus. Some Workshops are also offered through the UB libraries.