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Develop your Digital Skills: Term 3 training courses and more

By Katy O Foster, on 7 March 2024

Image of two badges on a blazer. One of them says Digital Skills

From training and support to helping you improve your digital capabilities, read below to find out what exciting opportunities Digital Skills Development can offer UCL staff and students in term 3.

Term 3 training courses

To book, follow the links below or find more information here: How to book a course on MyLearning.

Mastering Excel

General
30/04/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: In a Nutshell: Excel functions we should all know Online
28/05/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: In a Nutshell: Excel functions we should all know Online
28/05/2024 13:00 14:30 DSD: Pivot tables in Excel – Workshop Online
29/05/2024 13:00 14:30 DSD: VLookup in Excel – workshop Online
30/05/2024 13:00 14:30 DSD: Charting with Excel Online
Excel Essential Skills Workshops
08/05/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 1 (campus-based) In-person
22/05/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 2 (campus-based) In-person

Data analysis and visualisation

Choosing the right software
16/05/2024 14:00 15:00 DSD: Software for success: Winning with charts Online
R
24/04/2024 10.00 17.00 DSD: An Introduction to R with Rstudio (campus-based) In-person
01/05/2024 14.00 17.00 DSD: Data visualization in R with ggplot2 (campus-based) In-person
23/05/2024 10:00 17:00 DSD: An Introduction to R with Rstudio (campus-based) In-person
06/06/2024 10:00 17:00 DSD: An Introduction to R with Rstudio (campus-based) In-person
Stata
15/05/2024 10:00 17:00 DSD: Getting started with Stata (campus-based) In-person
21/05/2024 14.00 16.00 DSD: Scripting Stata Graphs Online
05/06/2024 14:00 17:00 DSD: Scripting Stata’s Tables and Collections (Campus-based) In-person
Nvivo
09/05/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: In a Nutshell: Starting an Nvivo Project Online
Excel
30/05/2024 13:00 14:30 DSD: Charting with Excel Online

Interaction and collaboration

General
30/04/2024 13.00 15.00 DSD: Software for success: Survey tools Online
14/05/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Mentimeter – improving feedback and interaction Online
REDCap
08/05/2024 13.00 14.00 DSD: Introduction to REDCap for research Online
09/05/2024 12:00 13:00 DSD: Data import and export in REDCap Online
09/05/2024 15.00 16.00 DSD: Managing participants in REDCap Online
14/05/2024 12:00 13:00 DSD: Options in designing consent forms in REDCap Online
14/05/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Using conditions and filters in REDCap Online
21/05/2024 13.00 14.00 DSD: Setting up User Rights and Data Access Groups in REDCap Online
Qualtrics
02/05/2024 13.00 14.00 DSD: Qualtrics Tips and Tricks Online

Multimedia content: Creating and editing

Graphic design and photo editing
30/04/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Design an impactful research poster using UCL templates Online
07/05/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Basic image editing using free tools – demo Online
16/05/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: An introduction to free graphic design tools – Inkscape Online
21/05/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Photo editing with Pixlr X – workshop Online
30/05/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Creating infographics using free web based tools Online
Film and video
02/05/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Make a short film using your iPhone Online
07/05/2024 10.00 11:00 DSD: Planning and filming advice for a short film Online
08/05/2024 14:00 15:30 DSD: Introduction to stop motion animation – workshop Online
23/05/2024 14:00 15:00 DSD: Explore the potential of UCL Mediacentral  Online
29/05/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Best practice for video captions and transcripts Online
Podcasting
25/04/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Podcasting made easy Online

Writing, presenting and referencing

Mentimeter
14/05/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Mentimeter – improving feedback and interaction Online
Microsoft Office
23/04/2024 10.00 12.00 DSD: Format your Thesis (Windows) – Manage long documents in Word Online
23/04/2024 14:00 15:00 DSD: Creating accessible PowerPoint presentations Online
07/05/2024 13:00 14:00 DSD: PowerPoint for Researchers and Presenters: Words, Images and More Online
08/05/2024 10:00 11:00 DSD: Word Tips and Tricks Online
04/06/2024 14:00 16:00 DSD: Format your Thesis (Windows) – Manage long documents in Word Online
Zotero
29/05/2024 14:00 17:00 DSD: Kick-starting your literature review with Zotero (Campus-based) In-person

Accessibility and assistive technology

Social media
28/05/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Creating accessible social media content Online
Film and video
29/05/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Best practice for video captions and transcripts Online
Powerpoint
23/04/2024 14:00 15:00 DSD: Creating accessible PowerPoint presentations Online

Programming

Git version control
04/06/2024 13.00 14.00 DSD: In a Nutshell: Git version control Online
05/06/2024 10.00 13.00 DSD: Dive into Git version control Online

Social Media

28/05/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Creating accessible social media content Online
04/06/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Managing your digital profile and social media presence Online

LinkedIn Learning

In addition to the above, UCL staff and enrolled students can access over 16,000 courses for free on LinkedIn Learning.

Digital Skills Support: Office hours

To make them more widely accessible, our drop-ins have been changed to an office hours format, with slots available each day. If you have a question or would like individual support on a specific issue, book an appointment with one of our team: Digital Skills Development Office Hours

Upgrade your skills with the Discovery Tool

In partnership with Jisc, the Digital Skills Development team have put together a Discovery Tool to help UCL staff and students identify gaps in their knowledge and improve their skills. Use the self-assessment questions to start your journey towards better digital skills today: Discover your digital

Now with AI questions added for staff

The Jisc Discovery Tool now has a question set for staff on Digital skills in AI and Generative AI and a lot of new resources on AI skills have been added to the tool. Find out more in our blog post.

Contact us

For any questions on Digital Skills Development at UCL, email isd-digiskills@ucl.ac.uk

Discover your Digital – AI questions added to the Discovery Tool

By Caroline Norris, on 22 February 2024

The Discovery Tool consists of reflective question sets which explore your digital practices and confidence levels.  The main question set looks at overall digital capabilities but there are also additional question sets for staff covering effective teaching and accessibility and inclusion and leadership all from a digital perspective.   The tool can also be used by students and there is a general question set for all students and one aimed at new students.

See below for full details of how to use the tool and upcoming workshops on 6 March, 23 April and 13 May.

New for 2024 there is now a question set on Digital Skills in AI and Generative AI for staff and a similar question set will be available for students on 20 March 2024.

The staff AI questions are arranged under the following categories:

  • Responsible AI
  • AI and digital proficiency
  • AI and digital productivity
  • AI and information and data literacy
  • AI and digital communication
  • AI and collaboration and participation
  • AI and digital creativity
As with other question sets you get a customised report  indicating your confidence and proficiency in each area represented in a chart (pictured right) and some suggested next steps to develop your skills.
All the reports signpost to a wealth of free resources and these have been augmented with additional AI-focused content.  We have also added customised UCL resource cards which signpost relevant UCL policies, guidelines, resources and learning opportunities.
Want to find out more?  Visit the Discover your digital web page for details about how to use the tool or come along to a workshop to try it out.  We can also arrange workshops for specific groups of staff or students.  Contact us with any queries.

Develop your digital skills: Term 2 training courses and more

By Katy O Foster, on 8 December 2023

From training and support to helping you improve your digital capabilities, read below to find out what exciting opportunities Digital Skills Development can offer UCL staff and students in term 2.

Term 2 training courses

To book, follow the links below or find more information here: How to book a course on MyLearning.

Data analysis and visualisation

Choosing the right software
30/01/2024 10:00 11:00 DSD: Software for success: Data analysis & statistical tools Online
01/02/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Software for success: Winning with charts Online
05/03/2024 12:00 14:00 DSD: Software for success: Data visualisation Online
R
17/01/2024 13.00 20.00 DSD: An Introduction to R with Rstudio (campus-based) In-person
31/01/2024 14.00 17.00 DSD: Better Tables in R (Campus-based) In-person
07/02/2024 15.00 17.00 DSD: Data visualization in R with ggplot2 (campus-based) In-person
08/02/2024 14:00 16.00 DSD: Data manipulation in R with Rstudio Online
20/02/2024 10.00 17.00 DSD: An Introduction to R with Rstudio (campus-based) In-person
11/03/2024 10.00 17.00 DSD: An Introduction to R with Rstudio (campus-based) In-person
Stata
06/02/2024 10:00 17:00 DSD: Getting started with Stata (campus-based) In-person
06/03/2024 14:00 17:00 DSD: Scripting Stata’s Tables and Collections (Campus-based) In-person
14/03/2024 14.00 16.00 DSD: Scripting Stata Graphs Online
Nvivo
01/02/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: In a Nutshell: Starting an Nvivo Project Online
Matlab
26/02/2024 & 27/02/2024 10:00 17:00 DSD: Introduction to Matlab (campus-based) In-person

Mastering Excel

18/01/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Excel Tips and Tricks Online
24/01/2024 12:00 13:30 DSD: Charting with Excel Online
30/01/2024 12:00 13:30 DSD: Vlookup in Excel Online
30/01/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: In a Nutshell: Excel functions we should all know Online
13/02/2024 12:00 13:30 DSD: Pivot Tables in Excel – workshop Online
22/02/2024 10:00 11:00 DSD: Excel Tips and Tricks Online
22/02/2024 14.00 16.00 DSD: Intermediate statistics with Excel Online
07/03/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: In a Nutshell: Excel functions we should all know Online
13/03/2024 14:00 16:00 DSD: Advanced statistics with Excel (campus-based) In-person
Excel Essential Skills Workshops
24/01/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 1 (campus-based) In-person
07/02/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 1 (campus-based) In-person
21/02/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 1 (campus-based) In-person
06/03/2024 13.00 14.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 2 (campus-based) In-person
13/03/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 2 (campus-based) In-person
20/03/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 3 (campus-based) In-person

Accessibility and assistive technology

16/01/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Creating accessible Powerpoint presentations Online
16/01/2024 10:00 12:00 DSD: Creating accessible Word documents Online
14/02/2024 14.00 17.00 DSD: Creating accessible documents with LaTeX (Campus-based) In-person
28/02/2024 14.00 17.00 DSD: Creating accessible documents with LaTeX (Campus-based) In-person
29/02/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Best practice for video captions and transcripts Online
19/03/2024 10:00 11:00 DSD: Creating accessible social media content Online

Programming

12/03/2024 10.00 17.00 DSD: Think like a computer programmer (campus-based) In-person
18/03/2024 14:00 17:00 DSD: A Quick Introduction to UNIX (campus-based) In-person

Interaction and collaboration

19/03/2024 12:00 14:00 DSD: Software for success: Survey tools Online

Multimedia content: Creating and editing

Graphic design and photo editing
24/01/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Design an impactful research poster using UCL templates Online
06/02/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Basic image editing using free tools – demo Online
15/02/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: An introduction to free graphic design tools – Inkscape Online
22/02/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Creating infographics using free web based tools Online
06/03/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Photo editing with Pixlr X – workshop Online
Film and video
24/01/2024 14:00 15:00 DSD: Explore the potential of UCL Mediacentral  Online
31/01/2024 14:00 15:30 DSD: Introduction to stop motion animation – workshop In-person
27/02/2024 10.00 11:00 DSD: Planning and filming advice for a short film Online
27/02/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Make a short film using your iPhone Online
29/02/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Best practice for video captions and transcripts Online
Podcasting
22/02/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Podcasting made easy Online

Writing, presenting and referencing

Choosing the right software
18/01/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Software for success: Writing tools Online
05/03/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Software for success: Working with Bibliography and Citation Apps Online
Microsoft Office
16/01/2024 10.00 12:00 DSD: Creating accessible Word documents Online
16/01/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: Creating accessible PowerPoint presentations Online
08/02/2024 10.00 12.00 DSD: Format your Thesis (Windows) Online
05/03/2024 10.00 11.00 DSD: Word Tips and Tricks Online
07/03/2024 14.00 16.00 DSD: Format your Thesis (Windows) Online
26/03/2024 12:00 13:30 DSD: Effective use of Onenote – workshop Online
LaTeX
13/02/2024 10.00 17.00 DSD: Overleaf: LaTeX with NatBib (campus-based) In-person
14/02/2024 14.00 17.00 DSD: Creating accessible documents with LaTeX (campus-based) In-person
28/02/2024 14.00 17.00 DSD: Creating accessible documents with LaTeX (campus-based) In-person
29/02/2024 14.00 15.00 DSD: LaTeX: Demo of Overleaf Online
Zotero
21/02/2024 15:00 17:00 DSD: Kick-starting your literature review with Zotero (Campus-based) In-person

Office hours

If you have a question or would like individual support on a specific issue, book an appointment with one of our team: Digital Skills Development Office Hours

Upgrade your skills with the Discovery Tool

In partnership with Jisc, the Digital Skills Development team have put together a Discovery Tool to help UCL staff and students identify gaps in their knowledge and improve their skills. Use the self-assessment questions to start your journey towards better digital skills today: Discover your digital

LinkedIn Learning

UCL staff and enrolled students can access over 16,000 courses for free on LinkedIn Learning.

Contact us

For any questions on Digital Skills Development at UCL, email isd-digiskills@ucl.ac.uk

Discover your Digital – new staff workshops now available

By Caroline Norris, on 16 November 2023

Diagram showing the Jisc Digital Capabilities Framework

Do you want to start a conversation with your students about their digital skills for work and study? Are you looking for a way to enable staff to reflect on their digital skills and identify gaps in their knowledge?

We are delighted to announce a new staff workshop introducing the Discovery Tool.  The tool consists of reflective question sets which explore your digital practices and confidence levels.  The main question set looks at overall digital capabilities but there are also additional question sets for staff covering effective teaching and accessibility and inclusion, all from a digital perspective.   The tool can also be used by students and there is a general question set for all students and one aimed at new students.

New for January 2024 there is now a question set on Digital Skills in AI for staff and one for students is due in March.

We currently have online workshops scheduled to take place at 15 February and 6 March 2024.

About the workshop

During the workshop you will have the opportunity to try out the tool for yourself and receive a personalised report with suggestions for how to develop your skills and links to free resources.
You will explore how you can use the tool with colleagues, for example as part of the appraisal process or an away day, or with students to encourage them to reflect on their digital practices and experience.
Results are confidential and you can choose who to share your report with.  However we are able to generate anonymised analytics to identify overall trends across departments (for staff) and subjects (for students).
Book a place on Eventbrite or visit the Discover your digital page to find out more about the tool and how to use it.  If you can’t attend one of these sessions but would like us to let you know about future dates or you would like to organise a workshop from a group of staff or students, please contact us via our expression of interest form.

Software for success: Choosing the right software for your research project

By Katy O Foster, on 28 September 2023

Planning and completing a research project can be an exciting yet daunting prospect.

For the usual range of tasks – collecting, analysing and presenting data, writing up and managing literature – there is an even larger range of software options to help you achieve your goals. With multiple options available, it can be difficult to decide which is best for your project and the task at hand.

If you haven’t thought about what tools you will use, or if you have thought about it but you’re just not sure what to do, the Software for Success series of digital skills training courses is for you. There will be demonstrations of different tools and approaches with guidance and discussion of what tool is best for the job.  If you think you know what software you are going to use, then we invite you to come along and be challenged: there may be tools on offer that could smooth the way to a successful research project.

Software for success sessions happening this term:

  1. Data collection – discover which survey tool is the best one for your research project:

DSD: Software for Success: Survey tools | Wednesday 11th October | 11:00-13:00 | Online

  1. Analysing data – an overview of the tools available:

DSD: Software for success: Data analysis and statistical tools |Join the interest list to hear about future dates

  1. Presenting data – different tools available for visually presenting your data:

DSD: Software for success: Data visualisation | Thursday 12th October | 10:00-12:00 | Online

  1. Presenting data – which is the best chart type for your data?

DSD: Software for success: Winning with charts | Tuesday 24th October | 10:00-11:00 | Online

  1. Writing – is there life beyond Word? Is there any reason to go there? How do you cope with fussy formatting requirements?

DSD: Software for success: Writing tools | Wednesday 1st November | 14:00-15:00 | Online

  1. Managing literature – imagine a world where your library and database searches link seamlessly  with your citation system and a database of annotated PDFs.  That world can be yours:

DSD: Software for success: Working with Bibliography and Citation Apps | Thursday 2nd November |10:00-11:00 | Online

Need help booking?

Further instructions on how to book courses can be found here: How to book a course on MyLearning

Discover more digital skills training

The Digital Skills Development team at UCL offer a range of training courses to meet your digital needs. Find out more here: Digital Skills Development UCL

For any questions on Digital Skills Development at UCL, email isd-digiskills@ucl.ac.uk

Develop your digital skills: Autumn 2023

By Katy O Foster, on 18 September 2023

Digital Skills

From training and support to helping you improve your digital capabilities, read below to find out what exciting opportunities Digital Skills Development can offer UCL staff and students this autumn term.

Term 1 training courses

Is there a programme or piece of software that you use regularly but feel you could know more about? Could your Excel skills use a refresh? Or do you want to learn new skills like image editing or how to create a podcast? Our online and in-person training provides the opportunity to develop your skills with the help of an expert trainer.

To book, follow the links below or find more information here: How to book a course on MyLearning.

Data analysis and visualisation

General
12/10/2023 10.00 12.00 DSD: Software for success: Data visualisation Online
24/10/2023 10.00 11.00 DSD: Software for success: Winning with charts Online
R
18/10/2023 13.00 20.00 DSD: An Introduction to R with Rstudio (campus-based) In-person
07/11/2023 14.00 16.00 DSD: Data visualization in R with ggplot2 (campus-based) In-person
10/11/2023 10.00 17.00 DSD: An Introduction to R with Rstudio (campus-based) In-person
24/11/2023 14.00 17.00 DSD: Better Tables in R (Campus-based) In-person
14/12/2023 10.00 12.00 DSD: Data manipulation in R with Rstudio Online
Stata
15/11/2023 13.00 20.00 DSD: Getting started with Stata (campus-based) In-person
05/12/2023 14.00 15.00 DSD: Scripting Stata Graphs Online
Nvivo
13/12/2023 14.00 15.00 DSD: In a Nutshell: Starting an Nvivo Project Online

Interaction and collaboration

General
11/10/2023 11.00 13.00 DSD: Software for success: Survey tools Online
17/10/2023 14.00 15.00 DSD: Mentimeter – improving feedback and interaction Online
26/10/2023 14.00 15.00 DSD: Use online whiteboards to encourage collaboration Online
REDCap
17/10/2023 13.00 14.00 DSD: Introduction to REDCap for research Online
17/10/2023 15.00 16.00 DSD: Managing participants in REDCap Online
Qualtrics
11/10/2023 14.00 15.00 DSD: Qualtrics Tips and Tricks Online

Accessibility and assistive technology

General
10/10/2023 14.00 15.30 DSD: Creating accessible Powerpoint presentations Online
31/10/2023 10.00 11.00 DSD: Best practice for video captions and transcripts Online
31/10/2023 14.00 17.00 DSD: Creating accessible documents with LaTeX (Campus-based) In-person
23/11/2023 14:00 15:30 DSD: Creating accessible Word documents Online
12/12/2023 10:00 11:00 DSD: Creating accessible social media content Online

Mastering Excel

General
01/11/2023 10.00 11.00 DSD: Excel Tips and Tricks Online
16/11/2023 14.00 16.00 DSD: Intermediate statistics with Excel Online
29/11/2023 10.00 11.00 DSD: In a Nutshell: Excel functions we should all know Online
Excel Essential Skills Workshops
17/10/2023 12.00 13.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 1 (campus-based) In-person
08/11/2023 13.00 14.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 1 (campus-based) In-person
15/11/2023 16.00 17.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 1 (campus-based) In-person
22/11/2023 13.00 14.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 2 (campus-based) In-person
28/11/2023 12.00 13.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 2 (campus-based) In-person
06/12/2023 13.00 14.00 DSD: Excel Essential Skills – Workshop 3 (campus-based) In-person

Multimedia content: Creating and editing

Graphic design and photo editing
26/10/2023 10.00 11.00 DSD: Design an impactful research poster using UCL templates Online
31/10/2023 14.00 15.15 DSD: Basic image editing using free tools – demo Online
07/11/2023 14.00 15.00 DSD: An introduction to free graphic design tools Online
14/11/2023 14.00 15.00 DSD: Photo editing with Pixlr X – workshop Online
16/11/2023 10.00 11.00 DSD: Creating infographics using free web based tools Online
Filming and podcasting
12/10/2023 14.00 15.00 DSD: Podcasting made easy Online
24/10/2023 14.00 15.30 DSD: Planning and filming advice for a short film Online
31/10/2023 10.00 11.00 DSD: Best practice for video captions and transcripts Online
09/11/2023 14.00 15.00 DSD: Make a short film using your iPhone Online

Writing, presenting and referencing

General
01/11/2023 14.00 15.00 DSD: Software for success: Writing tools Online
02/11/2023 10.00 11.00 DSD: Software for success: Working with Bibliography and Citation Apps Online
Microsoft Office
10/10/2023 10.00 11.00 DSD: Word Tips and Tricks Online
10/10/2023 14.00 15.30 DSD: Creating accessible PowerPoint presentations Online
09/11/2023 14.00 16.00 DSD: Format your Thesis (Windows) Online
23/11/2023 14.00 15.30 DSD: Creating accessible Word documents Online
13/12/2023 10.00 12.00 DSD: Format your Thesis (Windows) Online
LaTeX and Markdown
25/10/2023 10.00 11.00 DSD: LaTeX: Demo of Overleaf Online
31/10/2023 14.00 17.00 DSD: Creating accessible documents with LaTeX (campus-based) In-person
08/11/2023 13.00 20.00 DSD: Overleaf: LaTeX with NatBib (campus-based) In-person
30/11/2023 14.00 16.00 DSD: Getting started with Markdown Online

Office hours

To make them more widely accessible, our drop-ins have been changed to an office hours format, with slots available each day. If you have a question or would like individual support on a specific issue, book an appointment with one of our team: Digital Skills Development Office Hours

Upgrade your skills with the Discovery Tool

In partnership with Jisc, the Digital Skills Development team have put together a Discovery Tool to help UCL staff and students identify gaps in their knowledge and improve their skills. Use the self-assessment questions to start your journey towards better digital skills today: Discover your digital

LinkedIn Learning

UCL staff and enrolled students can access over 16,000 courses for free on LinkedIn Learning.

Contact us

For any questions on Digital Skills Development at UCL, email isd-digiskills@ucl.ac.uk