A significant amount of coursework in the O.T.D program is completed using a personal computer. This applies to students in both the traditional campus pathway and hybrid pathway. Please read this page to understand the minimum technical requirements and competencies to ensure your success.
Technology Requirements
You are required to own a laptop computer for your coursework by the first day of orientation. Although DMU doesn’t require any specific model or brand of computer, there are minimum specifications you will need. Please access the Information Technology Personal Owned Devices page for minimum specifications. Please note these are minimum specifications, not recommended specifications, and that you can use either the Windows or Mac platform. Unique to the O.T.D. program, you must have a webcam.
While you provide your own computer hardware and software, the DMU Solutions Hub can assist you with issues relating to your use of DMU websites and services, such as email, the student communication portal and course management systems. They can also assist you with using the DMU network on campus and accessing printers available for student use. The Solutions Hub cannot help with hardware failures on your equipment or installing your software on your computer.
As a student, it is your responsibility to both back up your own data and work and to identify an alternative computer to use should your primary computer or internet connection fail.
Internet Access
DMU’s wireless campus will give you the freedom to be connected and learn in the classroom, within the buildings, common areas, and even outdoors.
Information Access
- Pulse, the University’s portal website, is the gateway to all student web-based services. Students can view their grades, schedule, email inbox, and a variety of other content and service information all within a few individually customizable pages.
- Brightspace (D2L), a popular higher education web-based system, provides students with access to timely course content, discussion lists and other collaborative services.
- Audio from lectures can be streamed and automatically indexed for playback within your notes taken in Microsoft OneNote.
- A library community is available within the portal with subscriptions to online journals, books, and articles as well as resource links and services.
Technology Competency
You should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of computer terminology, such as browser, operating system, application, software, files, documents, icon, etc.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of software applications, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and email.
- Demonstrate fluency with your Windows or Mac operating system. This is demonstrated by the ability to file, save, retrieve, and manipulate documents within the system.
- Show familiarity with a variety of file formats such as: .pdf "Portable Document Format", .rtf "Rich Text Format", .doc or .docx "Microsoft Word Document", and .txt "Text document"
- Access, file and respond to e-mail.
- Download and install required software.
- Use browser plug-ins (e.g., PDF reader, video, audio)
- Navigate the internet, including the World Wide Web (www), using the appropriate browser.
- Attach, receive, and send files/documents to others; download and open files sent to you.
- Perform online research using various search engines and library databases.
- Be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a handout, a step-by-step tutorial, online video help or access to support to learn necessary skills)
- Use online communication tools, such as email (create, send, receive, reply, print, send/receive attachments), discussion boards (read, search, post, reply, follow threads), chats, and messengers.