Study Skills
Computer Skills
Knowing how to use a computer effectively has become an important part of being a student. There are increasing numbers of applications, platforms and logins, and it is expected that you will learn how to use various systems in different ways throughout your studies. Computers and other technologies have also become common in most workplaces, so developing your computer skills will help you in other areas of life as well. If you're having difficulty logging into MIT systems or have a technology-related question, there is an MIT helpdesk support number you can call to see if they can assist: 09 968 7600.
Skills
Here are some of the general computer or digital skills you may use as a student, depending on which programme you're studying.
- Accessing MIT wi-fi on your own phone, tablet, or laptop (BYOD, or bring your own device)
- Navigating websites and online systems
- Using search engines (e.g. Google, Bing) and the MIT Library website to find information
- Reading and responding to emails or discussion forum threads
- Communicating with lecturers online
- Participating in online portions of course (e.g. Microsoft Teams online lecture)
- Creating files in Microsoft Office 365 applications (e.g. Word documents, PowerPoint presentations)
- Uploading and submitting assignment files to Canvas (learning management system) or Microsoft Teams
- Reviewing Turnitin plagiarism checker reports
- Resetting your passwords
- Creating bookmarks or favourites to quickly go back to websites you visit often
Systems
Here are some of the systems you may use as a student, again depending on which programme you're studying. Note that many websites and online systems require you to have a username and password to log in to use them. MIT assigns you a student username and password when you begin your studies. Your student username and password will allow you log in to most of the following systems. To reset your password, visit the Manukau Institute of Technology password tool. There are certain requirements for passwords described on that page. If you're a new student needing to complete onboarding and set up your logins for MIT systems, you can watch MIT Tech Services' onboarding video tutorial.
You may already have one or more email addresses for personal or work use. MIT assigns you a student email address (via Microsoft Office 365 Outlook account) when you begin your studies. It is important that you check your student email because it will receive all official communication from MIT. There are several ways you can access your student email:
- On a web browser (https://www.outlook.com/manukaumail.com)
- On an Apple or Android device
- By forwarding it to your personal email
Follow the steps in MIT Tech Services' Student Guide to setting up email in the Guides section on this webpage.
Office 365
As an MIT student, you gain access to several products in Microsoft Office 365 for Education, including Outlook email (discussed above), Word, and PowerPoint. You can use these applications online in your browser, but there is more functionality in the desktop versions if you have a laptop or desktop computer. To download the desktop versions, click on the Install Office button when logged in to your Office 365 account in the browser, or follow the steps in MIT Tech Services' Student Guide on Office 365 in the Guides section on this webpage.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a multi-use system with video and voice chatting. It can also hold course materials and assignments. Your lecturers may hold online classes or tutorials using Teams, and you will receive a link to be able to get into the Teams meeting (Note that some programmes may use Zoom video conferencing software instead). You can also call or video chat with students and staff using Teams. When you're in a meeting, you can turn your camera on and off, turn your microphone on and off (mute), and chat in the conversation/chat area. You can download the Microsoft Teams app to make it easier to receive notifications on your mobile device. Follow the steps in MIT Tech Services' Student Guide on installing the Microsoft Teams app in the Guides section on this webpage.
Canvas
Canvas is the learning management system (LMS) used by MIT for most courses. It holds course guidelines, learning materials, assignment information and submission portals, and other content for your courses. You can log in via https://canvas.manukau.ac.nz. Canvas has two left-side menus: a main menu and a course menu once you've clicked to view a course. You can also download the Canvas app for your phone, which may look different from the desktop version. For more information about logging in, follow the steps in MIT Tech Services' Student Guide on logging in to Canvas in the Guides section on this webpage.
Learner Portal
Learner Portal is a system that stores information about your timetable, fees and payments, as well as grades. It has a different password from your usual MIT password. For more information, follow the steps in MIT Tech Services' Student Guide on accessing Learner Portal in the Guides section on this webpage.
Turnitin
Turnitin is an originality and plagiarism checking software used by educational institutions around the world to highlight places where students may have copied or incorrectly referenced things in their writing. When your work goes through Turnitin, the system will provide you with a similarity score related to matching content elsewhere online or in journal articles and other publications. For more information about how it works, visit Turnitin's Student Resources Hub.
Printing & Copying
MIT campuses have multi-function Ricoh printers where you can print, scan, and copy with your MIT student ID card. First you need to register the card to use it, and you need to top up your account if you want to use the printing and copying functions. For more information, see Guide - Printing, Copying and Scanning.