Students who have agonized over complicated computer programs now have a chance to get a better START when it comes to using technology in their studies.
The Center for Academic Success and Computing Services recently used the Student Technology Fee to create the Student Technical, Application and Resource Training program, or START.
START is designed to teach students necessary skills for making the best use of computer techniques to enhance their academic performance.
The START program includes two different groups of courses called Tracks. Track 1 is the Applications Track and includes courses that teach students how to use programs such as Microsoft Word, HTML and Photoshop.
Applications Track courses include four levels – beginning, intermediate, advanced and expert.
Track 2 is the Technical Track, which focuses on how computers actually work. Track 2 includes courses that teach software and hardware installation and file systems.
Since all students must pay the technology fee, there is not an extra cost for START classes.
Naiman Khan, a biology junior, took the beginning HTML class. Khan said the course benefitted his computer skills.
“I don’t like computers that much, but it made them easy to understand,” he said. “It really simplified a lot of stuff.”
Melissa Brocato, coordinator for the Applications Track, said about 100 students like Khan have taken advantage of the opportunities presented by Track 1 courses.
“Usually our numbers are smaller at the beginning of the semester, but they get bigger toward the end,” Brocato said.
Brocato said there is no registration process required for Track 1 classes. The one-day classes last an hour-and-a-half.
“We do it this way so students can just pop in when they have a free hour-and-a-half to get what information they need,” Brocato said.
Brocato said Web classes are the most popular and encouraged students to arrive early since enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Greg Brignac, coordinator for Track 2 classes, said the Technical Track is different from the Application Track because classes are offered only during breaks. Student enrollment is limited for Track 2 classes because of the time courses are offered.
“It’s a weeklong program, so the only time we can really do it is during the breaks,” Brignac said. “We can only handle about 20 people a semester.”
Meryn Allen, a nursing senior, was a peer leader for LSU 1001, a START class designed to help familiarize freshmen with PAWS and accessing campus computers. Allen said she learned as much in the class as the freshmen she was assisting.
“It was extremely beneficial, but it might get overlooked because people assume that because they’ve been here for years they know everything,” she said.
Allen said every student, and particularly freshmen, should take a START class.
Students will receive a certificate upon completion of a class. To receive a schedule of START classes, contact Computing Services at 578-2872 or go to B-26 Coates Hall.