Computer Literacy and Resources

Understanding how to effectively use computers and information systems is crucial to your success as a university student. Even if you never take any courses online, you will be expected to communicate via e-mail, write your assignments using word processing software, and utilize university specific technologies. The resources below are links to relevant online tutorials for beginners and advanced computer users.

Knowledgebase (Opens in a new window and login required) – Empire State University maintains an extensive article database on computer use. This database covers computer-related topics of interest to all levels of computer users. It includes articles relevant to PC and Macintosh users.  For instance, Internet Basics gives you a quick overview of how the Internet works and how to successfully use search engines and browsers to find reliable sources.

Microsoft 365 (Opens in a new window and login required)  This is for enrolled SUNY Empire State University students only.

• Microsoft 365--using email (Outlook), word processing (Word), and other Microsoft 365 training  This Microsoft Web site includes free self-paced training courses for Office programs. These courses are provided using a variety of formats, including audio and video.  Remember, as a student, you receive a free Microsoft 365 account.  Take advantage of this training and get the most out of your free student Microsoft 365 account!
• This link will take you to the direct sign-in page for your Microsoft 365 Outlook email account for your SUNY Empire State student career:  https://sunyempire.edu/mail.

Brightspace (Opens in a new window and login required) is our online learning platform and is for SUNY Empire State University students only.

The Brightspace link will take you to training specifically for the Brightspace Digital Learning Environment for students enrolled at Empire State University. To enroll in the Brightspace training please follow these steps:

1. Login at https://brightspace.esc.edu, to go to the SUNY Empire Brightspace homepage.
2. Click the "Discover" option in the NavBar.
3. Select the "ESC Student Introduction to Brightspace" course.
   • Please note, you want to enroll in SUNY Empire's training course, not any listings for other institutions.
4. Click the "Self-enroll in course" button to complete your enrollment and begin going through the modules.

The SUNY ATTAIN (Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking) lab offers "free skill-building, college prep, and employment certification programs with one-on-one career coaching to help you train up and move up."  This free training starts at the most basic and progresses all the way through certifications in certain career trainings (e.g. Microsoft Office Specialist).  This is the link to the main SUNY ATTAIN page.  Scrolling to the bottom of that page will take you to a long list of locations where you can receive in-person one-on-one training.  Once you choose a location, that page will take you a link to their Frequently Asked Questions page.  All links in the above paragraph will open in a new window.

For additional support with computer literacy, please contact Academic.Support@sunyempire.edu.

If you have links to computer literacy resources that you would like to share or suggestions for improving this Website, please send them to Academic.Support@sunyempire.edu.