Making the most of IT

Welcome to the Making the Most of IT presentation. This presentation is for new University students and provides information about the key computing, learning technology, and library services available at the University of Edinburgh. A video recording and the presentation slides can be found on our dedicated making the most of IT web page. This page also contains links to further information about all the services mentioned in this presentation. 

The presentation has been split into six main sections. Essential systems and software, computing and printing services, mobile computing, library services, developing your digital skills, and finally, help and support. Please be aware that there is a lot of content in the presentation. We're not expecting you to remember all the details. Rather, the presentation is to make you aware of what is available, so if you need a service later in your studies, you can look it up then. 

First, let's take a look at some of the essential systems and software that you'll need to use. 

Your University card provides identification and should be kept on you at all times. It's multi functional, allowing you to use it for cashless catering, library access, and book loans, printing, and much more. Replacement cards can be issued, but there will be a charge if lost, stolen, or damaged. New students can collect their card at the card collection event at the Main Library during Welcome Week. Cards for online distance learner students will be posted to your home address. 

MyEd is the main portal used by staff and students to access University services and help and support. Once you have signed into MyEd, you should be able to access all the services from one place without having to log in again. Services available in MyEd include the Learn virtual learning environment, your email, library search and loans, calendar, paying fees, student association information, and careers service information. You log into MyEd using your student number and password. Once logged in, you can customise the interface and add channels to the favourites menu for quick access to regularly used services. 

Learn is the University's virtual learning environment or VLE. It supports more than 5,500 courses each year. It is used for face to face teaching, blended learning, and fully online courses. It provides access to course materials, assignments, grades, feedback, lecture recordings, resource lists, and more. Your lecturer should explain to you how they've set up your course in Learn and where you can find your course resources. It can be accessed through MyEd or at learn.ed.ac.uk. 

You are automatically enrolled in a range of Essentials courses within Learn on topics including digital awareness, library training, exam boot camp, sustainability, and information security. These courses have been carefully selected to help support your studies. Essentials courses are non credit bearing, but you are encouraged to complete them as they provide support and training that has been deemed relevant to your studies. Essentials courses can be viewed by clicking on Essentials within the left hand pane in Learn. 

Anthology Ally is a tool that provides extra accessibility support for materials in Learn. You can download alternative formats of materials, allowing you to choose the best way to interact with learning resources. The alternative formats available include ePub files to use on an e-reader, audio MP3 files, and immersive reader files. Ally can be found inside documents within your Learn courses and is accessed by clicking on the A icon at the top right corner. 

The University uses learning analytics to help improve your experience, course design, and attainment. As a student, you can use analytics in Learn to view information about your in course activity, progress, and marks. For example, you might use your learning analytics to check how you're doing on a course, better manage your time, and reflect on your study and learning approaches. 

You have access to a wide range of University managed tools for collaborative working and online or hybrid meetings. These include Microsoft Teams, Miro, an online Whiteboard, Collaborate, a virtual classroom, and Microsoft SharePoint for online collaboration and student societies. These tools are completely free to access using your University credentials and benefit from support via EdHelp and enhanced security options. So we recommend you use them over other options. 

As a student, the University gives you free access to Microsoft 365 for email, calendar, and Cloud storage on OneDrive. You also get access to a range of web apps, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Onenote, and Excel. You can access your Microsoft 365 account to check your emails through MyEd or directly at office365.ed.ac.uk. 

The University provides you with completely free access to the latest Microsoft Office software. You can download and install Office on up to five devices for the entire time you are a student at the University, so do not pay for it. 

You can access your personalised University timetable through Outlook or Timetabler on the MyEd Studies tab. If you'd like quick access on your mobile device, we recommend downloading the Outlook mobile app and logging into it using your student email address and password. Any changes made to your timetable will be pushed to your Outlook account automatically and visible on your calendar soon after. However, updates can take time to appear in your calendar and will be inputted in scheduled phases. Therefore, it might take a bit of time for the full academic year to show. 

Now let's look at some of the computing and printing services available to you. 

A range of study spaces are available across campus, providing access to computers and computing equipment. Locations include the Main Library, King's Buildings, Moray House, some halls of residence, and various cafes. Computers on some levels of the Main Library are available 24/7. You can log into computers using your University username and password. Remember to always lock your computer when not in use and never leave personal belongings unattended at any time. You can check live computer availability on the web, on the 'Find a computer' channel in MyEd or on the information display screens within various buildings. During busy times like exam periods, it's a good idea to check availability before heading to the venue. If you only need to use a computer for a few minutes, use one of the quick use computers located in the Main and Murray libraries. Time on these is limited to 15 minutes. 

A small number of group study rooms are available in locations across the University, including the Main Library, Law Library, Moray House Library, and Murray Library. You can book group study rooms using the Room Booking MyEd channel, also called Booker. 

When logged into a University computer, anything you save to the desktop or documents folder will be saved to your own personal section of the University's server called the M drive. You get access to 2 gigabytes of storage, which is backed up daily by the University. This space should be used for high priority files like essays and your dissertation or thesis. You can access your personal M drive on your own computer by mapping the drive and connecting to the University network either on campus or off campus via the VPN. In addition to the M drive, you also get 1 terabyte of Cloud storage via OneDrive, which you can access through your Office 365 account. This space is private to you unless you choose to share files. You will continue to have access to OneDrive for the entire time you study here and for a period of time after you leave. Make sure you backup your most important files in more than one place, just in case a device gets lost or stolen or you accidentally delete files. 

Read and Write is software that can read aloud, magnify, highlight, and colour overlay text. It is installed on all University owned computers. If you think other assistive software would be useful to you, please contact the Disability and Learning Support Service. Sensus Access is a self service solution that allows you to convert electronic documents into a range of alternative formats, including MP3 and digital Braille. You can upload a document and the converted file will be emailed to you. There are accessible study rooms in the Main Library, Murray Library, and Murchison House. Access to these is arranged via the Disability and Learning Support Service. Contact them to arrange a consultation if you think you might be eligible to use one. 

EdPrintPull allows you to send a print request to any University printer across campus from University managed and personal devices. You'll then have 24 hours to release the print job from the printer by tapping your student card or entering your username and password. You can also use the printers to copy and scan. To print from your own device, you'll need to be connected to the University network and run a print installer. Printing is not free and prices vary depending on colour, size, and whether it is double sided. For example, a sheet of A4 printed black and white, single sided costs 5p. You can manage your print jobs and load credit through myPrint. As a new student, you'll be given £4 of print credit to get you started. 

If you're interested in things like laser cutting, 3D printing, soldering, virtual reality, drones, and digital scanning, then the uCreate makerspace is for you. Makerspace allows you to use or hire a wide range of specialist equipment. They also provide training, help and support, and run regular events and workshops. 

Azure virtual desktop allows you to make use of applications you might need for your studies, but don't have installed on your computer or have a licence for. As long as you have an internet connection, then you will be able to set up and configure your device to allow login to Azure virtual desktop. Available apps include Ansys, an engineering simulation; Autodesk 3ds Max, for 3D modelling; ArcGIS Pro for geographic information management; SPSS for statistical analysis, AutoCAD for computer aided design; and QGIS, a geospatial information tool. 

Media Hopper Replay is the University's lecture recording service. Over 300 rooms are kitted out with the technology to capture lectures. Depending on the room and equipment setup, your lecture recording will include a screen, camera, and audio feeds. If your lectures are recorded, then your tutor will let you know where to access them. This is usually through Learn. Lecture recordings are to be used as a supplementary resource for exam revision or to catch up if you happen to miss a lecture. They're not intended to be used as an excuse to miss lectures because the recording will be available. Your attendance at lectures is still expected. 

ELM, which stands for Edinburgh (access to) Language Models, is the University's very own AI platform, a central gateway providing safer access to generative AI via access to large language models. You are encouraged to use ELM over other similar tools because it gives you access to a wide range of large language models. Your data is secure and not retained by third party services. It's free to use. You can innovate on top of ELM using our API, and it's fully supported by the University. You can log into and use ELM for free using your University username and password. You are reminded that you should always use ELM responsibly and in line with the University's guidance, which can be found within ELM itself and on the ELM support pages. 

Now, let's look at some services that are particularly relevant to your personal phone or laptop. 

The University provides completely free Wi Fi access across campus. There are two wireless networks to choose from eduroam and central. It is recommended that you connect to eduroam as this is a secure network. You can connect using your University email, that is your student number @ed .ac.uk and password. Using eduroam will allow you to automatically connect to eduroam networks at other universities that you may visit. You can either connect your mobile device to the network manually or use the eduroam connection app, which is the quickest and easiest way. 

The University provides a free to use virtual private network service, which allows you to connect to the University network whilst off campus. The VPN hides passwords and provides an extra layer of security, as well as allowing you to access restricted services and resources such as servers and remote desktops. In order to use the VPN service, you first need to register and then set up a VPN client on your computer. When registering, you should not use the same password you use for your normal University account. 

The laptop loans service allows you to borrow a laptop over a short or longer period of time. The short term loan service allows you to borrow a laptop from the help desk of ten libraries across the campus. You can also issue a laptop to yourself using the self service laptop cabinets located in the Main Library and Murray Library. Short loans are for a maximum of 28 days and cannot be renewed. Laptops must be returned to the same library that they were borrowed from. If you require a laptop for longer than 28 days and are a student in hardship, the medium and long term laptop loan service is for you. This scheme is in place for those who are most in need. To be considered, contact your local school student support, student advisor, or EUSA advice place. Requests directly from students cannot be accepted. Mi-Fi units are wireless routers that act as a mobile hotspot, allowing you to connect your device to the internet. These can be borrowed by students in hardship. The application process is the same as for longer term laptop loans. 

Hello and welcome to the section of Making the most of IT and libraries, which is an introduction to the library resources and services available to students and staff at the University of Edinburgh. 

There are nine centrally managed libraries across the University, and you are welcome to use any of them in the same way. There are a small number of separately run class libraries in the University too, but these each have their own access policies. The different centrally managed libraries focus on particular subject areas. For example, the main print book collection for Physics is held in the Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library at King's Buildings campus, whereas Medicine's is in the Main Library on George Square. However, as I say, your access is the same, and therefore you can borrow from or study in any of them. Opening times for all the libraries can be found on the library web pages, but it is the Main Library building, which is, apart from some days during the winter closure period, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The barcode on your student card is your library number, and as well as needing your card to get into most of the libraries, it is also what you use to borrow material from them. Although much of the library's holdings are online, including books, journals, videos, music recordings, there are still print books, journals, magazines, and music scores, as well as DVDs, for example, on the shelves in the libraries. You can borrow up to 100 items at any one time, ten of which can be reserve loan books. Reserve loan items are typically on reading lists, and the loan period is 3 hours or overnight. If what you want is on loan to someone else, you can sign in to DiscoverEd, the name we give to the library catalogue and use 'Request this item' on its DiscoverEd record. The person who has the book will be asked to return it within one week. You will be notified when it's ready for you to go and collect. Request this item is also what to use to have a book moved from its home library to borrow it from a library closer to you. However, the libraries in the central area or in town are exempt, which means you can request a book in the Main Library, be delivered to the Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library at the King's Buildings campus, but not to Moray House Library on the Royal Mile. It is usually quicker to go yourself anyway, if you can. Reserve books will not be moved around like this and have to be returned before the end of their loan period. However, the lending period for books or items of other loan types, standard and short, extends automatically up to a maximum of 36 months unless someone else has requested their return. We do fine for books not returned when they should be, and it is reserve loan items and requested items which incur the heaviest fines. Laptops can be borrowed from libraries and desktop computers are available, as are printing, copying, and scanning facilities. There are bookable group study rooms, and for those registered with the Disability and Learning Support Service, accessible study rooms too. Extensive makerspace facilities are available in the Main Library, George Square. The library's rare books and manuscripts are looked after by the Heritage Collections team, which has its reception on the top floor of the Main Library. The library can be used for leisure and personal wellbeing. Resources are bought for these purposes and areas in many of the centrally run libraries are set aside to provide a short time away from noise and stress. 

You can access the library's online resources, services, and information through MyEd, pictured on the left, or from the library's website pictured on the right. Going through one of these routes means you are more likely to pick up authentication credentials, which will smooth your access to online resources the library has bought on your behalf, an ebook or online journal article, for example. In MyEd, look for the Studies tab and the Library column there. First link, Library keeps you in MyEd, but gives you a search box to look up DiscoverEd, the library catalogue, and a button which takes you into your library account information there where you can see what you have out on loan and information about requests for library materials that you have made. Search and Access Library Resources also keeps you in MyEd with a search box for DiscoverEd, but has links out to some pages for subject specific library resources, including the library subject guides. These resources help when you're looking for material on a topic but have not been given specific references. Library homepage, the link at the bottom of the Library section in MyEd Studies tab, does what it says and takes you to the homepage of the library's website pictured on the right. The full extent of what is available to you from the library is described on our web pages. 

Many courses use the library's resource list service to present their reading lists. Resource lists have their own website where you can search for lists from any courses you're interested in. They may also be visible on your course's Learn areas. Look for the content section and an entry there for library resources. Those entries in a resource list, which are held by the library link through to DiscoverEd. 

As already mentioned, DiscoverEd is the library's catalogue and is what to use to know whether we have what you want to read or watch or listen to regardless of whether the material is available in print or online. As well as book and journal title information. DiscoverEd has article level information too, which means search results numbers can be high. However, it is possible to limit results to particular types of material, for example, books, as well as by date or by availability online or in a particular library. You need to sign in to DiscoverEd to get access to all the features and services available to you. These include the request and item options talked about earlier and seeing what you have on loan. The sign in option is to the top right. Another service available when signed in to DiscoverEd is to be able to ask library staff to scan material only available in print and email it to you. You can make as many of these requests as you like, and they are free, but copyright limits apply, which typically means a limit per journal issue of one article or a limit per book of one chapter. Look out for the links labelled digitise other issue for journal articles or scan and deliver for book chapters. Not visible on the picture, but to the right of the search box area is library chat, which is a way of contacting library staff with problems or questions. It operates 247 with librarians from worldwide institutions answering when University of Edinburgh library staff are unavailable. 

When you need material the library does not have at all, one option is to sign in to DiscoverEd and use the inter-library loan entry in the top menu. Library staff will then try to get what you want from another library. Undergraduates can get five of these in a year for free, postgraduates and staff 30. It is possible to pay a subsidised cost to receive more. Ask us to buy a book to add to the library's collections by using the online request a book form. E-books are bought for preference and if available to us to buy, can become available in a couple of working days or so. However, if you want to read something for a deadline, make an inter-library loan request as well. If what you want is in another institution's library, which you are prepared to visit, it is a good idea to check what you will be permitted to do there. For example, you can use the National Library of Scotland for material it has, which we do not, but it is reference only and copying is expensive. SCONUL Access is a reciprocal access scheme which has agreements between its participating UK academic and research libraries to allow borrowing or reference use by members of the other institutions. 

There are, of course, sources of help for getting the best from the library. In the Essentials section of Learn, for example, are the online courses, LibSmart one and LibSmart two, which you can work through at your own pace. LibSmart one helps you think about the information to use in an academic environment and how best to find it using the resources available to you here. There is also guidance on good practice and useful tools in the storing and referencing of academic literature. LibSmart two takes you further into resources and services useful for writing dissertations and works of a similar scope. There are regular training sessions presented by library staff. They range from making sense of your reading list and good referencing practices to using specialist databases for systematic reviews and the use of generative AI tools. These you can find and book onto using MyEd Events, where you can also book a personal consultation with the academic support librarian for your subject area, who will be happy to help with questions you have about library resources and services, including reference management tools and literature search strategies. You can contact your academic support librarian directly using their contact details on the library subject guides. Please do also approach staff in the libraries when you're there. As mentioned earlier, librarians are there to ask questions of using library chat. EdHelp is the other source of answers to problems and questions about the library and IT resources, as well as questions for student finance and student administration. I hope you find what you need from the library here at the University of Edinburgh, but please do ask library staff if there are materials or information you cannot find or if you're unsure about a service we provide. 

To round off the presentation, we'll have a look at some of the opportunities you have to develop your digital skills while at University. 

Developing your digital skills is essential to help you study successfully and prepare for the working world after University. To help support you, the digital skills team provides a wide range of digital skills related resources, training courses, and development programmes, all of which are completely free. 

This slide summarises the digital skills team's services. Our digital skills programme consists of over 150 webinars, classroom based courses, and hybrid events on topics including programming, Microsoft 365 apps, data skills, reference management, information security, and much, much more. All events are free to attend as many times as you like and can be booked via the University's training and event booking channel in MyEd. Our digital skills framework allows you to assess your digital skills and find internal and external resources. We have a wide range of resources designed to help teach you how to stay safe online, manage your digital footprint, and treat others with respect online. These can be found on our digital safety and citizenship pages. Our Developing Your Data Skills six month blended learning programme is designed to help teach you data analysis and programming skills. There are three levels, beginner, intermediate, and advanced with cohorts starting between October and January each year. You can find out how to register interest on our developing your data skills web page. The University provides all staff and students with completely free access to over 23,000 online courses via LinkedIn learning. More information about this in a couple of minutes. If you would like to earn money and gain experience while studying, we regularly recruit student interns to come and work with us either for 7 hours a week over a year or full time during the summer break. Look out for opportunities on the University's My Career hub and Employ.ed on campus sites. Finally, we also run two Edinburgh Awards for Digital skills and Wikipedia editing. These normally run for around six months with registration taking place in October. The Edinburgh Award is a skills development programme you can do while studying to get recognition for being involved in activities outside your studies. 

Our digital skills framework is your one stop shop for your digital skills development. You can use the framework to assess your digital skills with the discovery tool, a short survey, and view role profiles before searching our bank of over 800 resources, including blog posts, user guides, and training courses. 

The University provides all students with completely free access to LinkedIn learning, the world's largest and leading online learning platform. You can access over 23,000 courses in business, creative, and technical skills and work towards and achieve professional certifications during your time at the University and a period of time after you leave. Examples of topics include building AI agents and chat bots, time management, effective communication, SQL, data analysis, web development, and graphic design. Courses are available in full high definition and are fully transcribed. They come with handy exercise files and can provide certification of completion. This service is normally around 30 pounds per month, but you can access it for free by creating an account using your University credentials via MyEd or going directly to the LinkedIn learning web pages. 

The University has a dedicated information security team who provide guidance, training, and support to help keep you safe online. Their top tips for students include, choose a unique password for each account and use multi factor authentication if available. The University provides free access to last pass premium for password management. Always install antivirus software and a firewall on computers and mobile devices. Take time to read emails carefully and never click on suspicious links or attachments. Do not share any personal details or financial information with people you don't know or trust. Keep your devices up to date by installing software updates when they are released. Always give thought to your digital footprint. Be careful what you share online and on social media. When on campus, never leave your personal possessions and property unattended. Even in locations like the library or cafes, thefts can happen, always take your belongings with you. There is also an information security essentials course in Learn that you are recommended to work through. 

Finally, where you can get computing and library help and support. 

If you need help and support with anything at all, visit EdHelp in the first instance. You should be able to find help and support resources for IT, library, study, and financial services. If you cannot find what you are looking for by using the chat bot or browsing topics, submit an EdHelp enquiry form and the helpline team will get back to you as soon as possible. If contacting the helpline, always try to provide as much information about your issue as possible. This will help the team to provide more accurate and timely support. 

Thanks for viewing this presentation. I hope you found it useful. You can visit our dedicated making the most of IT web pages using the URL on the slide or by scanning the QR code.

This presentation is for new online students and provides information about the key computing, Learning technology, and Library services available at the University of Edinburgh. A video recording and the presentation slides can be found on our dedicated making the most of IT web page. This page also contains links to further information about all the services mentioned in this presentation. 

This presentation has been split into five main sections. We're going to look at essential systems and software, computing services, Library services, developing your digital skills, and finally, help and support. Please be aware that there is a lot of content in the presentation. We're not expecting you to remember all the details. Rather, the presentation is to make you aware of what is available. If you need a service later in your studies, you can look it up then. 

First, let's take a look at some of the essential systems and software that you'll need to use. 

Your University card can be used to identify yourself as a student. Cards for online distance Learner students will be posted to your home address by Royal Mail. 

MyEd is the main portal used by staff and students to access University services and help and support. Once you have signed into MyEd, you should be able to access all the services from one place without having to log in again. Services available in MyEd include Learn virtual Learning environment, email, Library search and loans, calendar, paying fees, student association information, careers service information. You log into MyEd using your student number and password. Once logged in, you can customise the interface and add channels to the favourites menu for quick access to regularly used services. 

Learn is the University's virtual Learning environment or VLE, supporting more than 5,500 courses each year. It is used for face to face teaching, blended Learning, and fully online courses. It provides access to course materials, assignments, grades, feedback, lecture recordings, resource lists, and more. Your lecturer should explain to you how they've set up your course in Learn and where you can find your course resources. It can be accessed through MyEd or directly at Learn.ed.ac.uk. 

You are automatically enrolled in a range of essentials courses within Learn on topics including digital awareness, Library training, exam boot camp, sustainability, and information security. These courses have been carefully selected to help support your studies. Essentials courses are non credit bearing, but you are encouraged to complete them as they provide support and training that has been deemed relevant to your studies. Essentials courses can be viewed by clicking on Essentials within the left hand pane in Learn. 

Anthology Ally is a tool that provides extra accessibility support for materials in Learn. You can download alternative formats of materials, allowing you to is the best way to interact with Learning resources. The alternative formats available include ePub files to use on an e-reader, audio MP3 files, and immersive reader files. Ally can be found inside documents within your Learn courses and is accessed by clicking on the A icon at the top right corner. 

The University uses Learning analytics to help improve your experience, course design, and attainment. As a student, you can use analytics in Learn to view information about your in course activity, progress, and marks. For example, you might use your Learning analytics to check how you're doing on a course, better manage your time, and reflect on your study and Learning approaches. 

You have access to a wide range of University managed tools for collaborative working and online or hybrid meetings. These include Microsoft Teams, Miro, an online Whiteboard, Collaborate, a virtual classroom, and Microsoft SharePoint for online collaboration and student societies. These tools are completely free to access using your University credentials and benefit from support via Ed Help and enhanced security options. So we recommend you use them over other options. 

As a student, the University gives you free access to Microsoft 365 for email, calendar, and cloud storage on OneDrive. You also get access to a range of web apps, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Excel. You can access your Microsoft 365 account to check your emails through MyEd or directly at office365.ed.ac.uk. 

The University provides you with completely free access to the latest Microsoft Office software. You can download and install Office on up to five devices for the entire time you are a student at the University, so do not pay for it. 

You can access your personalised University timetable through Outlook or Timetabler on the MyEd Studies tab. If you'd like quick access on your mobile device, we recommend downloading the Outlook mobile app and logging into it using your student email address and password. Any changes made to your timetable will be pushed to your Outlook account automatically and visible on your calendar soon after. Updates can take time to appear in your calendar and will be inputted in scheduled phases. Therefore, it might take a bit of time for the full academic year to show. 

Now let's look at some of the computing services available to you. 

The University provides two main storage options for your files. A space on the University server, also known as the M Drive, and cloud storage through OneDrive on Microsoft 365. You can access your personal M Drive on your own computer by mapping the drive and connecting to the University network, either on campus or off campus via VPN. In addition to the M Drive, you also get 1 terabyte of cloud storage via OneDrive, which you can access through your Office 365 account. This space is private to you, unless you choose to share files. You will continue to have access to OneDrive for the entire time you study here and for a period of time after you leave. Make sure you backup your most important files in more than one place, just in case a device gets lost or stolen or you accidentally delete files. 

Azure Virtual Desktop allows you to make use of applications you might need for your studies, but don't have installed on your computer or have a licence for. As long as you have an internet connection, then you will be able to set up and configure your device to allow login to Azure Virtual Desktop. Available apps include Ansys for engineering simulation, Autodesk 3DS Max for 3D modelling, ArcGIS Pro for geographic information management, SPSS for statistical analysis, AutoCAD for computer aided design, and QGIS for geospatial information. 

Media Hopper Replay is the University's lecture recording service. Over 300 rooms are fitted out with the technology to capture lectures. Depending on room and equipment setup, your lecture recording will include a screen, camera, and audio feeds. If your lectures are recorded, then your tutor will let you know where to access them. This is usually through Learn. Lecture recordings are to be used as a supplementary resource for exam revision or to catch up if you have happened to miss a lecture. They are not intended to be used as an excuse to miss lectures because a recording will be available. Your attendance at lectures is still expected. 

ELM, which stands for Edinburgh access to language models, is the University's very own AI platform, a central gateway providing safer access to generative AI via access to large language models. You are encouraged to use ELM over other similar tools because it gives you access to a wide range of large language models. Your data is secure and not retained by third party services. It's free to use. You can innovate on top of ELM using our API, and it's fully supported by the University. You can login to and use ELM for free using your University username and password. You are reminded that you should always use ELM responsibly and in line with the University's guidance, which can be found within ELM itself and on the ELM support pages. 

The University provides a free to use virtual private network service, which allows you to connect to the University network whilst off campus. The VPN hides passwords and provides an extra layer of security, as well as allowing you to access restricted services and resources such as servers and remote desktops. In order to use the VPN service, you'll first need to register and then set up a VPN client on your computer. When registering, you should not use the same password you use for your normal University account. 

Welcome to this making the most of Libraries introduction to the Library resources and services available to students and staff at the University of Edinburgh. 

You can access the Library's resources and services through the University's MyEd portal, shown here on the left or via the Library's own website, shown here on the right. These are preferred routes because they simplify access to online materials such as ejournals and ebooks. By going via University pages, you will be taken on a login route, ensuring you're recognised as a member of the University of Edinburgh. On the left of this slide is a screenshot of the MyEd portal. When you're in MyEd, you'll find the relevant links are listed under the Studies tab. In MyEd, the first link, Library takes you to DiscoverEd, which is the Library's catalogue and discovery tool, which I'll talk more about shortly. The second link, Search and access Library resources, takes you to links for frequently used resources, and we'll look at that next. 

Many courses use the Library's resource lists service to present their reading lists. A resource list may be visible in your Learn course. Look in the contents section and in there, you should see an entry for Library resources. Resource Lists also has its own website where you can search for resources from any course you might be interested in. 

DiscoverEd is the Library's catalogue and discovery tool. If you want to find out what the Library holds in its collections, you should search DiscoverEd. This slide shows a screenshot of DiscoverEd. At the top right of the screen, there's a link to sign in using your University login. You can use DiscoverEd without signing in first, but by signing in, you will get better access to the online resources provided by the Library. It will also allow you to access and manage your Library account, as well as to save searches and links. 

There may be times when you find you need access to material that the Library doesn't hold in an online format or doesn't hold at all in its collections. But if this happens, we can usually get the material for you. You can request scans from the Library's print holdings. Because of UK copyright laws, the Library can scan for you a maximum of one chapter per book or one journal article per issue, or 10% of the book or journal issue, whichever is greater. You can make scan requests from within the DiscoverEd record for the item you need. Scans from our print holdings are free of charge, and you'll get an email to tell you when the scan is ready to download. At this time, it is not possible to have the Library send a physical book to you in the mail. Two ways that you can request material that we don't already have are either by using our Inter-Library Loan service or by requesting a book via our Request a Book Service. With the Inter-Library Loan Service, we can get scans of items from other libraries on your behalf. To use the Inter-Library Loan Service, you will need to sign in to DiscoverEd where you'll find a link to the Inter-Library Loan form at the top of the DiscoverEd homepage. After you complete the Inter-Library Loan form, the item will usually be supplied to you within a few days as a scan sent to your University email address. If you're not based in Edinburgh, we cannot supply physical items to you via Inter-Library Loan. Use the Request a Book service to tell us when we do not have a book you require in our collection, and we will try to purchase it for the Library. By default, we will purchase an electronic version of the book. If it's only available in print, then that's the version we will get. But then you can request a scan of a key chapter. If you're based elsewhere in the United Kingdom, check the SCONUL Access scheme to find academic and research libraries located near you. Services available via the SCONUL access scheme vary between institutions, but at least you could consult their print collections and study in their facilities. 

Finally, for next steps on brushing up on your information skills or for getting help. In the Essentials section of Learn, there are online courses called LibSmart and LibSmart two, which you can work through at your own pace. LibSmart one helps you think about information to use in an academic environment and how best to find it using the resources available to you here. There's also guidance on good practise and useful tools in the storing and referencing of academic literature. LibSmart two is a set of standalone modules on specific types of information resources for business or health, for example, or activities like using digital news or primary sources. Openly bookable training sessions are regularly presented by Library staff. They range from making sense of your reading list and good referencing practises, to using specialist databases for systematic reviews and the use of generative AI tools. These you can find and book onto using MyEd Events, where you can also book a personal consultation with the academic support librarian for your subject area, who will be happy to help with questions you have about the Library, its resources and services. Including, for example, using reference management tools and developing literature search strategies. You can directly contact your academic support librarian to ask for help too. Contact details are on the Library website where you will also find subject guides with advice on Library resources in a discipline specific context. For getting help, you can also use a real time chat tool called LibChat or contact our EdHelp team. Lib Chat can be used for any and all Library related questions. You'll see a LibChat button on your web page when you're searching DiscoverEd or if you go to the Library Help web page. EdHelp is the other primary source of answers to problems and questions about the Library and IT resources, as well as questions for student finance and student administration. 

To round off the presentation, we'll have a look at some of the opportunities you have to develop your digital skills while at University. 

Developing your digital skills is essential to help you study successfully and prepare for the working world after University. To help support you, the digital skills team provides a wide range of digital skills related resources, training courses, and development programmes, all of which are completely free. 

This slide summarises the digital skills team's services. Our digital skills programme consists of over 150 webinars on topics including programming, Microsoft 365, data skills, reference management, information security, and much, much more. All events are free to attend as many times as you like and can be booked via the University's training and event booking channel in MyEd. Our digital skills framework allows you to self assess your digital skills and find internal and external resources. More about this on the next slide. We have a wide range of resources designed to help teach you how to stay safe online, manage your digital footprint, and treat others with respect online. These can be found on our digital safety and citizenship pages. Our developing your data skills six month blended learning programme is designed to help teach you data analysis and programming skills. There are three levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced, with cohorts starting between October and January each year. You can find out how to register interest on our developing your digital skills webpage. The University provides all staff and students with completely free access to over 23,000 online courses via LinkedIn Learning. More information about this in a couple of minutes. Finally, we also run two Edinburgh Awards for digital skills and Wikipedia editing. These normally run for around six months with registration taking place in October. The Edinburgh Award is a skills development programme you can do while studying to get recognition for being involved in activities outside your studies. 

Our digital skills framework is your one stop shop for your digital skills development. You can use the framework to assess your digital skills with the discovery tool, which is a short survey, and view role profiles before searching our bank of over 800 resources, including blog posts, user guides, and training courses. 

The University provides all students with completely free access to LinkedIn Learning, the world's largest and leading online Learning platform. You can access over 23,000 courses in business, creative, and technical skills, both hard and soft skills, and work towards and achieve professional certifications during your time at the University and for a period of time after you leave. Examples of topics include building AI agents and chatbots, time management, effective communication, SQL, data analysis, web development, and graphic design. Courses are available in full high definition, are fully transcribed, come with handy exercise files, and can provide certification of completion. This service is normally around 30 pounds per month, but you can access it for free by creating an account using your University credentials via MyEd or by going directly to the University's LinkedIn Learning web pages. 

The University has a dedicated Information Security team who provide guidance, training, and support to help keep you safe online. Their top tips for students include, choose a unique password for each account and use multi factor authentication if available. The University provides free access to Last Pass Premium for password management. Always install antivirus software and a firewall on computers and mobile devices. Take time to read emails carefully and never click on suspicious links or attachments. Do not share any personal details or financial information with people you don't know or trust. Keep your devices up to date by installing software updates when they are released. Always give thought to your digital footprint. Be careful what you share online and on social media. There is also an Information Security Essentials course in Learn that you are recommended to work through. 

Finally, where can you get computing and Library help and support? 

If you need any help and support with anything at all, visit EdHelp in the first instance. You should be able to find help and support resources for IT, Library, study, and financial services. If you cannot find what you're looking for by using the chatbot or browsing topics, submit an EdHelp inquiry form and the helpline team will get back to you as soon as possible. If contacting the helpline, always try to provide as much information about your issue as possible. This will help the team to provide more accurate and timely support. 

Thanks for viewing this presentation. I hope it's been useful and you can visit our dedicated making the most of IT web pages using the URL on the slide or using the QR code.