If you are logging into Atomic Learning from off-campus, you will need your UIS NetID and Password. If you are accessing Atomic Learning from on-campus, no username and password is necessary.
"Atomic Learning is proud to unveil the Atomic Desktop. This complimentary downloadable tool allows users to quickly search and view tutorials that answer their common "How do I do that?" questions directly from their desktop."
A. Use the blue tabs to navigate the Atomic Learning website. For example, click on the "Our Tutorials" link in the navigation bar to access an index of tutorial series. From there, you can sort the tutorial series by application, platform, or publisher. Once you click on the series you have chosen, you will be taken to the list of tutorials.
B. Type in your question in the Search field and click on Go! to find your answer.
C. These articles will inform you of new training video releases from Atomic Learning.
D. This section lists featured tutorials.
E. You will need either Flash or QuickTime installed on your computer to view the Atomic Learning videos.
You can easily embed any video file from Atomic Learning into your Blackboard course or course website. To learn more about this process or about Atomic Learning, please contact Kara McElwrath at 206-8237 or kmcel2@uis.edu.
Introduction
What is Atomic Learning?
Integration with ITS Faculty/Staff Services
What does Atomic Learning offer UIS?
As the academic realm gradually increases reliance on technology it has become essential that faculty and staff keep "up-to-date" with emerging technologies. Information Technology Services [ITS] at UIS has long since recognized this need and thus created the Faculty Staff/Services component.
ITS supports the technology needs of a diverse group of end users at the University of Illinois at Springfield, both on and off campus. In doing so ITS has remained committed to promoting learning in a technology-enhanced environment. It is this commitment that also fuels ITS to continually search for additional methods of serving the UIS community in this capacity.
One such method that ITS has implemented is Atomic Learning from Atomic Learning Incorporated. Implemented by ITS in the fall of 2007, Atomic Learning now serves the on-demand and 'just-in-time' technology needs of the UIS campus.
Atomic Learning is an online-based training tool that seeks to quickly and efficiently instruct users how to accomplish various tasks on numerous technology applications. Primarily, it employs the use of video to show step-by-step tutorials in the form of understandable and concise movies. Specifically, Atomic Learning offers:
Atomic Learning is based on the concept that answers about technology should be found quickly and at the disposal of the user.
The concept of "just-in-time" training revolves around the concept of delivering exact answers to the user exactly when the user needs them. This type of training allows users to comfortably seek answers to their technology-based questions, no matter how large or small their questions may be.
A service such as Atomic Learning integrates seamlessly with the mission and goals of Faculty/Staff Services. One aspect of ITS, the multimedia workshops, is an example of this.
During ITS multimedia workshops users are given hands-on training with various tools in the realm of technology-enhanced education. This is supplemented with step-by-step documentation that users are encouraged to keep as a reference. With Atomic Learning, however, the training does not end here.
After users depart from the workshops they might encounter additional questions while using the programs demonstrated in the workshops. Users can instantly obtain answers from Atomic Learning's database of video tutorials. By using Atomic Learning in this manner users can take advantage of "just-in-time" training to attain answers they need exactly when they need them.
Atomic Learning offers a tremendously valuable resource for all UIS faculty, staff, and students. As higher education continues to employ various aspects of technology, instructors continually require orientation with that technology.
Atomic Learning and UIS Faculty
Atomic Learning can play an invaluable role in assisting instructors who seek a technological edge. Instead of leaving faculty uncomfortable with the technology "know-how" of their students, Atomic Learning helps keep the faculty member a step ahead.
For example:
Perhaps a UIS faculty member discovers that the other professors are using macros to quickly format the spreadsheets. The faculty member, however, requires a few hours to conduct the same formatting. The faculty member obtains a few tutorials from Atomic Learning about creating macros in Excel and is soon formatting the spreadsheets with the same usability and speed of her/his colleagues.Atomic Learning and UIS Staff
Atomic Learning can also prove valuable for UIS staff. Performing duties for a technologically-advanced school such as UIS can require staff to stay up-to-date as well. With Atomic Learning, staying up-to-date is done at the discretion of the user.
For example:
Perhaps a UIS staff member has recently been given the responsibility of updating and maintaining their departments' expense records. Because all of the records are saved as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets the Staff member must now use Excel to update the records. In a few weeks, however, the staff member will be vacationing, thus leaving the duty of maintaining financial records to the department GA. Before the staff member departs, however, she/he decides to leave important comments for the spreadsheet concerning the compiling of the records. Instead of creating a separate document for the comments, the staff member decides to embed the comments in the actual Excel spreadsheet. Using a brief tutorial from Atomic Learning the staff member quickly learns how to leave comments directly in the Excel spreadsheet.After returning from vacation the staff member soon discovers that a presentation must be made concerning the departments recent expense history. Again, using Atomic Learning the staff discovers how to make various graphs from Excel spreadsheets and import then directly to PowerPoint. Thus, Atomic Learning has helped the staff member become experiences with the Microsoft Office productivity suite.
Atomic Learning and UIS Students
For the academic life of a student, Atomic Learning can serve as an important learning tool. As academic and professional requirements become increasingly dependent on technology, faculty and future employers will continue to stress the importance of maintaining basic computer skills. With Atomic Learning, "basic" computer skills are administered with ease.
For example:
Perhaps a student is preparing a portfolio of work completed during their tenure at UIS. Following the advice of their academic advisor they decide to create an electronic portfolio that is similar in functionality to a website. After attending a few ITS workshops about Adobe Dreamweaver they begin to assemble an electronic portfolio.Unfortunately, without the hands-on instruction offered by the ITS workshops, they lose confidence in using Dreamweaver. Instead of losing interest with this project, however, they look to Atomic Learning for additional guidance. By accessing the tutorials of Atomic Learning at their own pace the student regains confidence and soon completes the portfolio. Now, they not only have an electronic portfolio to offer future employers, they also have basic skills in Adobe Dreamweaver to add to their portfolio
