Essential Tech Resources for Students: A Comprehensive Guide

In today's academic landscape, technology plays a pivotal role in student success. From online learning platforms to research tools and productivity applications, a wealth of tech resources are available to empower students in their educational journey. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these resources, designed to help students navigate the digital world and excel in their studies.

Securing Your Digital Life: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Before diving into specific tech tools, it's crucial to address online security. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts. By verifying your identity using a second factor, such as your phone or another mobile device, 2FA prevents unauthorized access to your accounts, even if someone knows your password. Enabling 2FA on your student email, learning management systems, and other academic platforms is a vital step in protecting your personal information and academic work.

Free and Discounted Software

Many institutions collaborate with software vendors to provide students with free or discounted software. For example, UTEP Technology Support collaborates with several software vendors to increase access for students, faculty, and staff. Some examples of software that may be available for your personal computers at no cost include:

Adobe Creative Cloud: Access to industry-standard creative applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro can be invaluable for students in design, media, and communication fields. Subscription licenses are often available for personal use at a considerable discounted price!
Microsoft Office 365: This suite of productivity tools, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneDrive, is essential for creating documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. Store and sync your Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets online and throughout all of your devices. Install the OneDrive App Download the Microsoft OneDrive App to your device and save files directly to your OneDrive.
GitHub: Get free access to industry-standard software development tools and resources, including learning materials and tutorials.

Affordable Internet Access

A reliable internet connection is indispensable for online learning. The Affordable Connectivity Program helps ensure that households can get the broadband access they need for work, school, healthcare, and more. Additionally, many universities offer secure Wi-Fi networks for students, faculty, and staff. For example, UTEP provides UTEPSecure Wi-Fi, a secure wireless connection for students, faculty, and staff.

Checking Your Internet Speed

You'll need to have an Internet connection that is stable and fast enough to support your online learning activities. To test your Internet connection, go to www.fast.com.

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Mobile Hotspots

For students who lack reliable internet access at home, UTEP Technology Support has a limited number of Wi-Fi hotspots available for checkout.

Printing Resources

Students can print from their personal devices to printers located throughout campus. This service allows students to easily print assignments, research papers, and other documents without needing a dedicated printer at home.

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Many professors use Blackboard to post class announcements, course materials, assignments, and grades online. Familiarizing yourself with your institution's LMS is crucial for staying organized and engaged in your courses. Blackboard Tests and Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor Some professors require tests be taken online with Blackboard and Respondus Lockdown Browser, a tool that locks Internet browsing for the duration of the test.

Financial Assistance for Technology

Help Purchasing a Laptop If you need assistance in purchasing a computer or laptop, the Paydirt Emergency Loan Program is available to assist students. The maximum loan amount is $500.

Tech Support

Tech support is available for your personal computer at no cost. The Computer Clinic can assist with software & OS installations, virus and malware removal, and more.

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Free Online Tech Resources for Students

Being a high school student requires constant effort to learn and keep yourself informed. Here are some invaluable free online tech resources that can significantly aid students in their academic pursuits:

Google Apps: As a student, Google Apps is one of the most helpful tools to have! Having easy access to docs, spreadsheets, presentations, maps, podcasts, translation and so much more. It can make life so easy! So even if your computer runs out of space and you cannot afford a memory card, Google Apps has a drive where all your work can be saved!! But after that, everything is connected to it.
Office 365: If you are a student at specific institutions, your school may make you eligible to apply for Office 365! You can utilize Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Notes-among other tools in-order to present your schoolwork in the best way possible! Office 365 can prove to be an easy tool to use for your school notes and presentations!
TinyWow: PDF, Image, and Video Tools: TinyWow is an online tool that offers free conversions of files from one format to another. It doesn’t stop at conversions; it can also help you with editing a file such as a PDF. With this tool, you’re able to merge PDFs and split them, and videos can also be edited, resized, and conversed. This online tool can come in handy for those files you need to change!
Project Gutenberg: Free eBooks: Project Gutenberg is a free online library that offers books of different genres. You can either download them or read them online. In this online library, you can find different articles, classics, and contemporary books for your classwork or to read for fun!
Smithsonian Open Access: Images: You can think of Smithsonian Open Access as an online library of images from the Smithsonian! Students have the chance to access libraries, images, and data from the different museums that fall under the Smithsonian umbrella. This can be a great tool for history projects when you can’t get to a museum in person!
Polyglot: Coding: If you are interested in coding and want to try different languages, but you’re still getting the hang of things, try Polyglot. It’s an online research tool that allows you to take notes without the fear of mixing the different coding languages! You can use this resource as a way to experiment with learning coding!
The New York Times: While based in the United States, The New York Times covers topics from around the globe. They also offer free or cheaper plans for students at certain institutions. Check it out to always stay informed!
Library Resources: You can access the library’s e-books and audiobooks at any time from anywhere in the U.S!
MIT OpenCourseWare: MIT Free Courses: MIT offers free access to some of its courses! So if you’re ever curious about college courses or MIT, here is your chance to discover university-level lectures!
Marinara Timer: Pomodoro Technique Timer: If you need a little bit of extra help with your time management and studying, this online timer based on the Pomodoro technique can be a big help to you as a student.
Canva: Design: Suppose you’re getting started in graphic design and want to create different images to spice up your presentations, flyers, and resumes. In that case, Canva is an online design platform that allows you to experiment with design with ease.

STEM Resources

For students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), numerous resources are available to enhance their learning and exploration:

Code.org: Code.org offers free, high-quality curriculum resources for K-12 classrooms focusing on computer science and coding skills.
FIRST Robotics: The FIRST Robotics program brings students and educators together to design, build, and program robots in a competitive and collaborative environment.
Explore a comprehensive suite of K-12 curriculum resources that integrate hands-on engineering design with technology concepts to enrich student engagement and learning.

Exploring Emerging Technologies

Staying informed about emerging technologies is crucial for students preparing for future careers. Here are some resources for exploring cutting-edge concepts:

Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is becoming a way of life, with new systems and uses popping up every day.
Quantum Science: Quantum science has the potential to revolutionize the world.
Robotics: What could be a robot? How is soft robotics changing our viewpoint of what is considered robotics?
Nuclear Fusion: What is nuclear fusion? What is its potential?

Student Deals on Devices and Software

Microsoft Store: Students and parents can get 10% off on select devices, including Microsoft Surface, when they purchase at the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft 365: Get 12 free months of Microsoft 365 Personal for qualified higher education students, then pay just $4.99 per month for desktop apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, now with Copilot.
Microsoft Azure: Start building apps, explore AI, make the most of big data, and build your developer skills with free access to professional tools.

Microsoft Resources for Students

Surface: Surface transforms the way you can learn. Work from anywhere and find new ways to engage with materials and classmates.
Student Hub: Explore AI with interactive projects and discover resources such as self-paced training and industry-recognized certifications.
Microsoft 365 for the web: Get free access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint using Microsoft 365 for the web (formerly Office 365).
Microsoft Community: Stay connected with the Microsoft community, where you’ll find programs, resources, and career opportunities to help students pursue careers in technology-or any other industry.
Microsoft Learn: Explore coding, technology, and STEM resources Dive into Microsoft Learn resources to master coding with MakeCode, take STEM courses, and bring computer science to life.
Education Apps: Discover apps for every learning style Explore dozens of education apps built to enrich your learning, like Paint, Duolingo, Scratch, and Minecraft Education.

Additional Support Services

Many universities offer a range of support services to help students succeed academically and personally. For example, at Michigan Tech, there's an incredible amount of support for students. University Career Services does more than help you find a job. The Dean of Students Office at Michigan Tech is a resource center for all students at the University. The Graduate School is a comprehensive resource for all online and on campus graduate students. Students who use the learning centers at Michigan Tech get better grades.

Tech Tool Library

We are bringing together straightforward accessibility information for the digital educational products educators trust to use in classrooms. Search a tool and click to learn about the product’s accessibility features. Products in this library include descriptions and validity badges such as the Learner Variability Certification, Research-Based Design Certification, and the Project Unicorn Pledge. The inclusion of products in this library does not qualify as an endorsement of accessibility.

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