IT and Digital Skills

Information technology (IT) and digital skills include a wide range of skills relating to digital technology, including computers and computer applications, tablets and smartphones, websites and other online platforms, and much more. IT and digital skills are not just about knowing how to use certain tools or technologies, but learning to harness them to enhance your learning and your success as a student.

To get started with IT at University of Galway, take a look at the IT services that our Information Solutions and Services (ISS) team offer to students. 

Key IT and digital skills for university include:

• Proficiency in key applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint - all available through Microsoft 365
• Touch-typing skills (see our links to typing resources in IT for free)
• Ability to navigate University of Galway’s IT systems and processes, including Canvas, email, printing, and software packages (see IT for Free for more information)
• Use of technology to conduct academic research
• Mastery of educational technology, including citation and reference management software
• Building your digital profile, partly with an eye to your future career
• For some courses, programming and coding skills, or other specialised applications
• Knowing where to get help with IT issues

Why not take a digital confidence assessment? This is one of a series of online lessons and resources (with badges on successful completion) on IT and digital skills. These were developed by a number of Irish institutions as part of a project called All Aboard. 

Even if you feel confident about your IT and digital skills, they can probably be improved or developed to serve you better as a student. Technological change occurs so rapidly that almost everyone can benefit from continuously up-skilling in this area. Click on the boxes below for more.