Mines Technology Training
Colorado School of Mines
Overview
Mines Technology Training provides Mines faculty, staff, and students with opportunities to enhance their technology skills through a mix of instructor-led workshops, self-paced modules, and curated resources tailored to the unique needs of the Mines community. These trainings are designed to help participants develop both broad interdisciplinary skills (collaboration, communication, and innovation) and deep expertise in essential technology tools and platforms, empowering them to excel in their roles and adapt to an evolving digital landscape.
Featured Trainings
Why Are We Moving to the Cloud?
Mines is transitioning to cloud storage with OneDrive, Teams, and SharePoint to make file access easier, more secure, and better for collaboration across campus.
![Migrating Home Drive (Z: Drive) to OneDrive [Windows]](https://it.mines.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2025/04/01.png "01")
Migrating Home Drive to OneDrive
This training will teach you how to move your files from the Z: Drive to OneDrive so you can access them anywhere, anytime, and on any device.
![How to Upload Files from Network/Department Drives (Z, Y, and I) to Microsoft Teams [Windows]](https://it.mines.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2025/04/02.png "02")
Migrating Department Drives to Teams
This training will walk you through uploading files from your department’s network drive (Z, Y, or I) into Microsoft Teams for easier sharing and collaboration.
Upcoming Workshops
Everyday AI: Using Microsoft Copilot for Digital Productivity
Date: Thursday, October 30th
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: Virtual
Ready to unlock the power of Generative AI in your daily work? This interactive session dives into Microsoft Copilot, showcasing how it integrates with tools like Outlook, Teams, o365, etc. You’ll see how to streamline tasks, summarize information, and generate content for the apps you already use every day.
Everyday AI: Using NotebookLM for Smarter Productivity
Date: Friday, November 7th
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: Virtual
Discover how NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered tool, can transform your workflow. In this session, you’ll learn to organize sources, summarize info, and generate insights or outlines across documents. See how AI can boost efficiency in planning, writing, and collaboration, enhancing your productivity in projects and content development.
Everyday AI: Boosting Efficiency in Your Work
Date: Friday, November 14th
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: Virtual
Streamline your file storage and collaboration by transitioning from traditional network drives to Microsoft OneDrive and Teams. This workshop covers how to organize and migrate your files, manage access, and collaborate in real time, all without needing a VPN. Learn how OneDrive replaces your personal Z: drive and how Teams serves as a modern alternative to shared Y: drives. You’ll leave with best practices and practical tips to help you navigate Mines’ cloud migration with confidence.
Date: Friday, November 21th
Time: 10:00am-11:00am
Location: Virtual
Streamline your file storage and collaboration by moving from traditional network drives to Microsoft OneDrive and Teams. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to organize and migrate your files, manage access, and collaborate in real-time, all without needing a VPN. Discover how OneDrive replaces your personal Z: drive and how Teams serves as the modern alternative to department-shared Y: drives. Perfect for anyone looking to navigate Mines’ cloud migration with confidence and clarity.
Transitioning to Cloud Storage at Mines
Training & Knowledge Base Articles
Why Are We Moving to the Cloud?
Mines is moving to the cloud to give you faster, more secure, and more collaborative ways to store and share your files—from anywhere, on any device. By transitioning from outdated network drives to OneDrive, Teams, and SharePoint, you’ll gain modern tools that make your work more efficient and better protected.
Migrating Home Drive (Z: Drive) to OneDrive
Learn how to move your files from the Z: Drive to Microsoft OneDrive so you can securely access, organize, and share your content from anywhere, whether you’re on campus or working remotely. This step-by-step guide covers everything from mapping your drive to copying files into the cloud, making it easy to transition to Mines’ new storage system.
How to Upload Files from Network/Department Drives to Microsoft Teams
This training walks you through the process of uploading files from your department’s network drive (Z, Y, or I) into Microsoft Teams so your team can access, edit, and collaborate on documents in one central location. With step-by-step instructions, you’ll learn how to organize shared files directly within the Teams environment, streamlining your department’s workflow.
How to Review & Organize Your Files Before Migration
Preparing for migration is a great opportunity to declutter, organize, and future-proof your files by reviewing what you have and deciding what truly needs to move forward. With a little planning and structure, you’ll make the transition smoother and set yourself up for better collaboration and file management in the cloud.
Best Practices for Organizing Departmental Content
Creating a clear, consistent structure for your department’s files helps everyone find what they need quickly, collaborate more effectively, and stay organized long-term. With the right tools and a few smart practices, your content will be easier to manage, secure, and keep up to date.
How to Archive Old Data Effectively
Archiving old data helps free up storage, maintain compliance, and improve organization. This guide is designed for users transitioning from network drives (Z:, Y:, I:), local files, external hard drives, and third-party cloud solutions like Dropbox.
Understanding File Permissions and Sharing in OneDrive and Teams
Understanding and managing file permissions ensures your content is shared securely, with the right people, and at the right level of access. With a few smart habits, you can protect sensitive information, prevent accidental changes, and keep collaboration running smoothly.
Productivity Tools
On-Demand Training
Productivity Tools: Microsoft OneDrive in Teams
Microsoft OneDrive, integrated within Microsoft Teams, offers a secure and efficient way to store, organize, and collaborate on files from any device. It simplifies file sharing, version control, and access management while eliminating the need to track down files on personal devices. With Mines IT moving away from the Z Drive, OneDrive is a recommended solution for modern file management.
Productivity Tools: Google Drive
Google Drive is a cloud-based file management and collaboration tool supported by Mines IT. It offers powerful features like real-time file updates, easy sharing, and secure cloud access, making it easier to work with colleagues and manage projects. With Mines moving away from the Z Drive, Google Drive provides a modern, flexible solution for your file storage needs.
Productivity Tools: Team Management within Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams offers a powerful suite of tools to streamline communication and collaboration. Whether you’re faculty managing research, staff coordinating projects, or students working on group assignments, Teams can help you stay organized, productive, and connected.
Additional Productivity Training
Looking to further boost your skills with productivity tools? Check out these Percipio training courses for expert guidance on Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and more! If prompted, please log in to Percipio with your Mines Username and Password.
Microsoft OneDrive
OneDrive is Microsoft’s Cloud storage solution, a powerful tool for organizations that need to foster collaboration.
Google Drive
Explore Google Drive, a cloud-based file storage and sharing platform at the center of the Google Workspace ecosystem.
Microsoft Teams
Collaborate with your team using Microsoft Teams, a chat-based workspace designed for seamless communication and productivity.
Digital Accessibility
On-Demand Training
Digital Accessibility: Alt Text
Alt text (alternative text) is a brief description added to images to make digital content accessible for people using screen readers. It ensures that individuals who are blind or visually impaired can understand the purpose and context of images in documents, websites, and learning platforms. Adding Alt text is a simple yet impactful step toward inclusive digital accessibility.
Digital Accessibility: Link Text
Link text is the clickable portion of a hyperlink that provides context about the destination of the link. Writing clear, meaningful link text improves digital accessibility for people using screen readers and enhances the experience for all users. Avoiding vague phrases like “click here” or long, confusing URLs ensures that links are easier to understand and navigate.
Digital Accessibility: Video Captions
Captions ensure that video content is accessible to everyone, including people with hearing impairments, non-native English speakers, and those watching in environments where sound is unavailable. Accurate captions improve comprehension and usability while also supporting compliance with accessibility standards.
Digital Accessibility: Color Usage
Color contrast is crucial for digital accessibility. Proper contrast helps those with low vision or color blindness read and engage with content. Following best practices ensures your digital materials are more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience.
Digital Accessibility: Accessibility Checkers
Built-in accessibility checkers in Canvas, Word, and Acrobat help identify text-based accessibility issues. However, human judgment is needed for meaningful context. Regular checks improve inclusivity and ensure content is accessible to all.
Additional Accessibility Training
Looking to further boost your skills with Digital Accessibility? Check out these training resources for expert guidance on various topics within digital accessibility! If prompted, please log in to sites such as Percipio with your Mines Username and Password.
Percipio: Digital Accessibility
Useful and current resources about digital accessibility
Microsoft: Accessibility Fundamentals
Technology enhances inclusion, education, and work opportunities. Microsoft prioritizes accessibility. Share your achievements!
WebAIM Accessibility Articles
WebAIM provides accessibility resources, training, evaluation tools, and guidelines to improve web accessibility for all users.
Training Request
IT offers tailored training services to help Mines faculty, staff, and students build proficiency in essential technology tools. If you need specialized training for yourself or your team, you can submit a Technology Training Service Request through the Mines Help Center. Simply follow the link below, click on Request Service, and then fill out the Request Form. IT will reply to your request as soon as possible in order to begin addressing your needs.