Training Schedule
dotCMS Training
All dotCMS trainings are limited to MSU staff, faculty, students, and affiliates only.
Training sessions are offered on a recurring basis via Zoom (see training calendar below). New dotCMS users must take the "Introduction to dotCMS: Basic Training" session first before attending a refresher or training session on how to "Create a Page" or learn how to create/edit a specific "Content Type." Current dotCMS users who have not had any formal training on dotCMS are encouraged to take the "Introduction to dotCMS: Basic Training" session or any of the Content Type sessions if you wish to learn more about the platform or need a refresher.
Training Sessions
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- Introduction to dotCMS: Basic Training (approx. 2 hours) is the pre-requisite course required for all new dotCMS users. This training is offered twice per month and can also be scheduled for a particular group, department, or district as needed on other days/times by completing a Group Training Request Form.
- The "Create/Edit a Page Asset and File Asset" (60 min.) training is a refresher session for current dotCMS users who may find it helpful to take this session shortly after an initial training, or if they have not used dotCMS recently and need a refresher. New dotCMS users should attend an Introduction to dotCMS: Basic Training session before registering for this refresher session.
- Content Types: Person Profiles/Roles, Events, Articles, and Digital Documents (45-60 min. each) are dotCMS Content Type trainings offered twice per month; one in the morning and one in the afternoon on different weeks. Each Content Type training session is offered as a refresher or follow-up training for current users, and takes a deeper dive into creating/editing a specific Content Type. New dotCMS users should attend an Introduction to dotCMS: Basic Training session before registering for one of the Content Type training sessions.
- Web Content Accessibility training is offered twice each month; one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
- Monthly standing trainings are scheduled for the first four weeks of the month. If there is a week 5 in a given month, no standing trainings are held during that week.
- If a user or group of users need a different training date/location, then a Training Request Form must be completed.
- The trainer's Zoom Office hours are four (4) days per week (Monday through Thursday). In-person appointments can be scheduled on Wednesdays while the trainer is on campus.
- Trainees can select and register for the session(s) in which they wish to participate. Please see the Training Sessions listing below.
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Register for an Upcoming Training Session
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Jul 1
Introduction to dotCMS - Basic Training - July 1, 2025
July 1, 2025 10:00AM – 12:15PM Zoom
This training introduces new/current dotCMS users to the basics of dotCMS. Participants will learn the interface, navigation, how to manage websites, and how to create/edit pages and content (2 hrs). Preliminary D2L course must also be completed (30 min).
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Jul 3
Create/Edit a Page and File Asset in dotCMS - July 3, 2025
July 3, 2025 9:00AM – 10:00AM Zoom
In this training, learners will dive into how to create a new page and edit an existing page in dotCMS. Participants will learn about templates, folders, sub-menus, adding content, how to upload/find file assets, and more. See prerequisite. (60 min.)
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Jul 7
Web Content Accessibility - dotCMS Training - July 7, 2025
July 7, 2025 2:00PM – 3:00PM Zoom
This training session reviews basic guidelines on improving website accessibility so the information presented can be easily viewed, interpreted, and used by all users with or without assistive technologies. (Approx. 30-45 min.)
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Jul 8
Create/Edit Person Profile and Role in dotCMS - July 8, 2025
July 8, 2025 9:00AM – 9:45AM Zoom
This training session demonstrates how to create or edit a Person profile and how to create a Role for a person profile in dotCMS. See prerequisite on details page. (Approx.45 min.)
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Jul 8
Events - dotCMS Training - July 8, 2025
July 8, 2025 10:15AM – 11:15AM Zoom
This training session demonstrates how to create, add, tag, and edit an event in dotCMS. Participants will also learn about event listings that appear on a web page. See prerequisite on details page. (Approx. 45-60 min.)
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Jul 8
Articles - dotCMS Training - June 10, 2025 (This training is not open to MSUE staff/faculty.)
July 8, 2025 11:30AM – 12:00PM - This training is not open to MSUE staff/faculty. Zoom
This training session demonstrates how to create, tag, publish, and edit an article in dotCMS. Participants will also learn about article listings that appear on a web page. See prerequisite on details page. (Approx.30 min.)
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Jul 10
Digital Documents - dotCMS Training - July 10, 2025
July 10, 2025 10:30AM – 11:30AM Zoom
In this training session, new and/or current dotCMS users will learn how to upload, tag, find, replace, or edit a Digital Document in dotCMS. Participants will also learn about Digital Document listings (widget). See prerequisite. (Approx.60 min.)
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Jul 10
Images and Videos in dotCMS - July 10, 2025
July 10, 2025 2:00PM – 2:45PM Zoom
In this training/refresher session, new and/or current dotCMS users will learn how to upload, insert, tag, find, replace, or edit Images and Video content types in dotCMS. See prerequisite on details page. (Approx.45-60 min.)
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Jul 11
Create/Edit a Page and File Asset in dotCMS - July 11, 2025
July 11, 2025 2:00PM – 3:00PM Zoom
In this training/refresher session, dotCMS users will learn how to create a new web page and edit an existing page in dotCMS. Learners will also learn how to upload, find, replace, or edit a file asset. See prerequisite. (Approx. 60 min.)
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Jul 17
Introduction to dotCMS - Basic Training - July 17, 2025
July 17, 2025 2:00PM – 4:00PM Zoom
This training introduces new/current dotCMS users to the basics of dotCMS. Participants will learn the interface, navigation, how to manage websites, and how to create/edit pages and content (2 hrs). Preliminary course in D2L must be completed (25 min).
Trainer Office Hours
Monday
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Join the Zoom Meeting
Tuesday
1:00 - 2:00 p.m
Join the Zoom Meeting
Wednesday
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. - Join the a.m. Zoom Meeting
OR
Virtual or in-person (on-campus) by appointment
Thursday, 6/26/25 - Trainer is unavailable
For assistance, please contact ANR.websupport@msu.edu
NOTE: Office hours are subject to change.
*NOTE: Training sessions that fall on a holiday week are subject to change. Please see current month’s schedule for session topics, dates, and times.
Trainings At-A-Glance (Semi-monthly)
Below is an at-a-glance look at trainings offered every month. On some occasions, trainings may have to be scheduled for a different day, week, or time - depending on the availability of the trainer. Most of the time, trainings typically follow the schedule below.
Table 1: Trainings at-A-Glance (semi-monthly) |
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WEEK # |
MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
FRIDAY |
1st WEEK OF THE MONTH |
INTRODUCTION to dotCMS (Basic Training)
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N/A | N/A | N/A |
CREATE/EDIT A PAGE ASSET AND FILE ASSET |
2nd WEEK OF THE MONTH |
N/A |
PERSON PROFILE and ROLE EVENTS ARTICLES |
N/A |
CREATE/EDIT A PAGE ASSET AND FILE ASSET DIGITAL DOCUMENTS IMAGES and |
N/A |
3rd WEEK OF THE MONTH |
PERSON PROFILE and ROLE EVENTS ARTICLES |
N/A | WEB CONTENT ACCESSIBILITY 3rd Wednesday 10 - 10:45 a.m. |
INTRODUCTION to dotCMS |
N/A |
4TH WEEK OF THE MONTH |
N/A |
N/A |
IMAGES and VIDEOS |
N/A |
DIGITAL DOCUMENTS (Content Type) 4th Friday 2 - 3 p.m. |
*NOTE: Training sessions that fall on a holiday week are subject to change.
Please see current month’s schedule for session topics, dates, and times.
Special Training Requests
In addition to standing/recurring training sessions, dotCMS users may also request a custom training to better suit a group's or district's needs by submitting a Group Training Request Form.