The Technology Training Academy Knowledge Base provides faculty, staff, and students with access to training resources that support the effective use of technology tools across campus. This category includes step-by-step guides, best practices, and video tutorials designed to enhance productivity, collaboration, and learning.

Articles (8)

Digital Accessibility: Accessibility Checkers

Built-in accessibility checkers in platforms like Canvas, Microsoft Word, and Adobe Acrobat help identify and fix common accessibility issues, making digital content more inclusive. While these tools quickly detect problems like missing alt text, skipped headings, and contrast issues, human judgment is still needed for elements like meaningful alt descriptions and proper table use. Regularly running accessibility checks ensures content is usable by all individuals, improving overall digital acce

Digital Accessibility: Alt Text

Alt text is a brief description added to images to ensure digital content is accessible to people using screen readers. It provides essential context for images in websites, documents, and learning platforms, helping users who are blind or visually impaired understand visual content. Adding clear and concise Alt text improves accessibility across digital spaces.

Digital Accessibility: Color Usage

Color contrast is an essential aspect of digital accessibility. Ensuring proper color contrast helps people with visual impairments, including low vision and color blindness, to read and engage with content effectively. By following best practices for color contrast, you can make your digital materials more inclusive and accessible.

Digital Accessibility: Link Text

Improving link text is a small step that makes a big impact on digital accessibility. Whether adding links to emails, websites, or course materials, using clear and descriptive link text benefits all users.

Digital Accessibility: Video Captions

Captions make video content accessible by providing text-based dialogue and sound descriptions for viewers, including those with hearing impairments or those watching in sound-sensitive environments. MediaSpace automatically generates captions, but they should be reviewed and edited for accuracy, proper timing, and clarity. Embedding captioned videos in Canvas ensures accessibility while following best practices for clear, synchronized captions improves the viewing experience for all users.

Productivity Tools: Google Drive

Google Drive is a cloud-based file management tool supported by Mines IT, offering secure storage, real-time collaboration, and easy file sharing. With features like folders, workspaces, and search filters, it helps you stay organized and productive from any device. As Mines transitions from the Z Drive, Google Drive provides a modern, flexible solution for your file storage needs.

Productivity Tools: Microsoft OneDrive in Teams

Microsoft OneDrive, integrated within Microsoft Teams, offers a secure and efficient way to store, organize, and collaborate on files from any device. It simplifies file sharing, version control, and access management while eliminating the need to track down files on personal devices. With Mines IT moving away from the Z Drive, OneDrive is a recommended solution for modern file management.

Productivity Tools: Team Management within Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams provides a centralized workspace for collaboration, allowing Mines faculty, staff, and students to organize conversations, files, and tasks within customizable teams and channels. This guide covers key features such as user management, file sharing, and channel organization, all designed to enhance productivity and streamline teamwork. With full support from Mines IT, Teams helps keep your projects on track and your team connected.