Component

Required

Recommended

Operating System

PC – Win XP or Win Vista*

MAC – OS 10.3 - 10.5*

* Software required for the Personal Fitness course is NOT compatible with the MAC OS or Windows Vista

PC – Win XP

MAC – OS 10.5

Internet Speed

56K modem with Internet Access

Cable or DSL

Component

Required

Word Processor

Microsoft Word (Word 2003 or earlier preferred)

Browser

PC - Internet Explorer 6.0 - 8.0*, Firefox 3.x

Mac - Firefox 1.5 - 3.x , Safari 2.0 - 4.0

*IE8 must be in Compatibility Mode to function properly with Blackboard. Instructions for adding blackboard.com to the compatibility list are provided.

Email Address

The email account must accept attachments and blind copied emails.

Software (free downloads)

**Java JRE plug-in (very important so that everything in the system works properly!)

Microsoft Office Viewers (for viewing and printing Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Visio files)

Adobe Acrobat Reader (for viewing and printing PDF files)

Real Player (for viewing streaming video or listening to streaming audio clips)

QuickTime (for viewing QuickTime video)

Flash Player (for viewing animations or using interactive content)

Shockwave Player (for viewing animations or using interactive content)

Windows Media Player (for viewing streaming video or listening to streaming audio clips)

Peripherals

Wimba Classroom and Voice Tools require students to have an inexpensive headset with microphone (approx $15).  During the student tutorial, students will complete a wizard that checks their computer for all the components needed to participate in Wimba Classroom and use Voice Tools.

***Important message for AOL Users***

AOL’s web browser will not allow you to use all the features with Blackboard. You must minimize the AOL browser and use a compatible browser (listed above) for your coursework. When the AOL browser is not in use, the ISP will consider the user inactive and may disconnect you after a period of time. To remain active, you may want to return to the AOL Browser every half hour or so and click on a link or check your email. This will reset the ISP’s “inactivity timer”. Then minimize the screen again and go back to work on your online course