Learn to use myIPFW

For any IPFW student, whether new or returning, it is important to know how to use the tools that are available with the myIPFW account. Some of the most useful tools are available through the Google Apps account, available by clicking on “E-mail” from the myIPFW user page.

The first tool available is the IPFW email account. This email account works just like any other email account, and ways to use it more efficiently can be found at http://www.ipfwcommunicator.org/?p=996. Other important features of this interface include “Contacts”, which allows the user to keep track of everyone they have communicated with, and “Tasks”, which is a handy to-do list.

The second tool available for IPFW students is the calendar, available by clicking on the “Calendar” link in the upper left hand corner of the page. This interface allows users to create multiple calendars, and organize them. I usually create at least three calendars: One for school, one for work, and one for other activities. This allows me to more easily distinguish from upcoming events, and keep myself organized. At the Beginning of the semester, once I have my schedule, I will enter all my classes into the calendar using a repeating event, available by clicking on edit event details from the event creation pop-up, and then under “when”, set the “Repeats:” pull-down to “Weekly”. I also enter all the other information about the class That I will need, such as which room it is in, and set a reminder so I can get to class on time.The calendar is also good for social events, because guests can be invited to events, which makes the calendar a good way to confirm RSVPs for a party.

The Third tool available is the Documents page. This allows users to write, edit, and save papers and other documents online. The user can create a text document, presentation, or spreadsheet, or upload one saved from Word, Powerpoint, or Excel. You can then edit the documents online, from any computer. Even if you do not edit your documents online, it is a good idea to upload important papers, in case of catastrophic computer failure.