Students at IU Southeast are logging into the opportunity to learn about software and design on campus and at home.
IU Southeast, along with all Indiana University campuses, are offering the online video-based Information Technology training from Lynda.com to IUS students, faculty and staff starting this fall.
Lynda.com features online training in more than 650 courses dealing with such programs as Adobe CS4, Microsoft Office, Web design and more. They are a leading provider of e-learning videos focused on Adobe applications, multimedia and Web development.
“It is a great resource, but a lot of students just don’t know about it,” Nick Ray, director of IT Support and Communications, said.
“It could help with a lot of future projects,” Christina Goins, graphic design junior, said after hearing about the free trial of Lynda.com, which ends on Dec. 20.
Using such software as Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop, Goins has had formal training in the classroom but said she liked the idea of learning Web design at her own pace online.
“It sounds interesting, but I don’t know how to get it,” Julie Bland, political science senior, said about the Lynda.com pilot offer.
“I would definitely use it,” Bland said.
Helping with her boyfriend’s engineering business, Bland said she thought the training would help her learn how to create graphics, such as bumper stickers and logos or other non-major-related work.
Stephanie Rea, nursing sophomore, who uses Adobe Photoshop for small projects at home, does not have to take a formal class in software or design for her major but thought it would be good information to use elsewhere.
“It’d be very helpful,” Rea said. “There’s a lot I want to learn about.”
IUS students, faculty and staff can train specifically for their needs by subject, software or subject matter through Lynda.com.
Students can enjoy the ability to log in any time and learn at their own pace by using many different software applications.
Instructors can point students to the Web site for assistance or assign tutorials to supplement their classes, eliminating time-consuming training in the classroom.
While there are no stipulations to getting the free access to Lynda.com, students must log on through the IUS Web link on the IT Web site to receive the free training access.
At the beginning of the pilot, students will not be able to keep track of their progress through the Web site.
Near the second half of September, students will be able to create a personal user profile and track their progress in several training courses. This feature will allow students to earn certificates from Lynda.com for completing courses.
The certifications from Lynda.com can be put onto résumés as extra training.
Lynda.com is helpful for those who have downloaded the free software from the IUware Web site that is available to all IUS students. It’s available at www.iuware.iu.edu
Students can find software varying from Adobe, Microsoft or even anti-virus software and multimedia editors.
One feature on Lynda.com is the Creative Inspiration series. Designers, photographers and artists such as Simone Legno, Douglas Kirkland and Rick Morris show their techniques and styles in this series.
The success of the trial this fall will determine if Lynda.com will be available next semester.
“This is a pilot to see how it is received and can determine if this will come back,” Ray said.
By JESSICA MEYER
Staff Writer
jessmeye@ius.edu