By Cari Mathwig Ramesier
Do you ever get the feeling when working on your computer—maybe in Moodle, maybe when you are trying to type or publish a document—that “there has got to be a simpler way to do this?” If you find yourself asking this question often, you probably are pushing off other tasks that need to be done, and ultimately you feel overloaded.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend hours figuring out how to, and completing, a task on your computer. It’s as simple as finding out the most efficient way to do it that works for you—then doing it. How do you find that out? Here are a few tips:
- Get help. If you spend more than 20 minutes trying to figure out how to complete a task, then it’s time to seek out additional assistance. Contact the helpdesk@viterbo.edu for computer assistance or coursehelp@viterbo.edu for help on Moodle and other learning technologies.
- Know your resources. Viterbo has a growing library of helpful documents and videos via the helpdesk and libguides (also known as “Subject Guides” from the library website).
- Use a different tactic. If it’s taking too long, don’t get too stubborn to try something different. We often get so focused on completing a task in the way we set out that we refuse to look at other solutions. For example, if you are unable to upload a file to Moodle no matter what browser you choose, consider sending it to your audience instead.
The bottom line is that we meet the needs of our audience, whether it be students, faculty, or staff. If the method isn’t working, it’s time to step back, get help, find resources, and maybe try something different.