Web Team

Web Team

Getting started

Step 1: Essential computing skills

From experience the Web Team has found the following computing concepts and skills are essential for people to master web skills. Without them if you don't have the prerequisite foundation skills and web training is unsuccessful.

Prerequisite computing concepts and skills

Before you are trained to look after your department's website you must understand and be competent with everything listed below. They apply to everyone intending to administer a website (ie edit, update, add more content).

The level of understanding needed is basic. For example, you need to know a web browser is a program used to view websites, or surf the net. Where a skill is specified you need to be competent, eg you can copy a URL, paste it into an email and send it to someone.

General web concepts and skills

Concepts - you know what:
  • a web browser is
  • IE and Firefox are
  • a URL is, and where to find it
  • book marks or favourites are
  • a browser cache refers to
  • a search engine is
Skills - you can:
  • find and email a URL to someone
  • change the default homepage in a browser
  • save a web page to favourites or bookmarks, and find it again later

Computing concepts and skills

Concepts - you understand and are confident with:
  • what a window and menu are
  • where the desk top and task bar are
  • shared drives versus a drive only you can access
  • remote drive versus a drive on your computer
  • the location and purpose of your C:, P: and K: drives
  • what a server is
  • the difference between left and right click (PC users) or click and CTRL+click (Mac users)
  • the difference between an application that is open, minimised or closed
  • juggling or tabbing between two or more open or minimised applications
Skills - you can:
  • open a new window (PC) or finder window (Mac)
  • confidently open, close and minimise an application
  • work with two or more applications open (or minimised)

Folders and files

Concepts - you understand and are confident with:
  • the difference between a folder and a file
  • folder and file structures
  • the terms - root level, one level down, one level up, two levels down etc
  • default, naming and renaming files and folders
  • clicking and dragging
  • moving files and folders
  • file size, file type and file space
  • navigation - where files are kept and how to navigate to them
  • keyboard common shortcuts across applications eg copy, cut, paste, save, save as
  • the difference between 'save' and 'save as'
Skills - you can:
  • create new folders and files within windows (PC) or finder window (Mac)
  • email a file path to someone
  • save an attachment from an email to a location that makes sense, and navigate to it at a later date when you need it again
  • name files (a chosen file name, not the default one)
  • confidently rename files and folders
  • click and drag files and folders to new locations, and navigate to them
  • find details about files and folders (size, file type and date modified)
  • copy, cut, paste, save, save as (using short cuts, context menu and file menu)
  • confidently save files (you know how to check where a file is being saved to, choose the location to save it to, and how to find it again)
  • 'save as' an existing file

I need more knowledge and skills

Once you are up-skilled your competency across all areas of your job will improve and you will be ready to learn new web concepts and skills. There is no formal training within UC covering the concepts and skills listed above. Depending on your needs we suggest several solutions below.

I did not understand most of the concepts and skills listed

  • Talk to your supervisor and discuss how to increase your knowledge and skills
  • Possibilities for training are: professional development, an informal arrangement within or outside of UC, and/or mentoring
  • A combination of training (formal or informal) and mentoring should be considered

I understand most of the concepts and skills listed

  • Talk to your supervisor. Most likely you can gain the necessary knowledge and skills via mentoring or an informal arrangement within or outside of UC

I am competent with all of the concepts and skills listed

  • Congratulations, you are ready for a new challenge. You have the knowledge and skills required to be trained to administer your department's website

Administrators can also join the Community of Practice Administrators (CoPA). Their role is to provide support and mentoring, not training. See what is the community of practice? (staff only) for more information.