Setting up your devices
Computing requirements
To make the most of your learning experience here at Deakin, you must comply with our computing, connectivity and capability requirements. The basic requirements for study at Deakin are access to a desktop computer or laptop, connectivity to the internet, and the capability to use our online learning environments.
So, your computer must be reliable and capable of meeting your learning needs. It requires an up-to-date operating system that can run a modern browser and programs, as well as access to the internet. It is unlikely a smartphone or tablet will be adequate to complete your studies. These devices may complement a computer, but you shouldn’t solely rely on them.
If you’re facing financial hardship and are unable to purchase a device, you can apply for financial assistance through Deakin.
Learn more about our computing requirements
Deakin Software Library
As a Deakin student, you have free access to many computer programs from the Deakin Software Library. You can download:
- the Microsoft Office suite (including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Teams as well as 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage)
- Adobe Express (an online design app)
- Zoom (video conferencing software for viewing some course materials online such as lectures and seminars)
- Endnote (bibliographic software for referencing assignments).
You’ll need most of these programs, so download them and install them on your computer now.
Go to the Deakin Software Library
Generative AI tools
Generative AI (genAI) technology is an umbrella term for a range of tools that are able to create digital content from user prompts. It can be anything from human-sounding chatbots to predictive text on your phone. GenAI is changing the way we live, study and work: it's very likely you’ve used a form of it even if you weren’t aware of it.
As a student, it's important to understand how can you use genAI in an informed and critical way that is beneficial to your learning, as well as being aware of the risks and limitations of these tools. We have developed a range of resources that can help you understand the best ways of navigating these tools during your studies.