Technical Requirements

Minimum System Requirements

PC MAC
Windows XP Mac OS X (10.2 or higher)
512 MB RAM 256 MB RAM (256 Recommended)
56 kbps modem or DSL/Cable 56 kbps modem or DSL/Cable
  G3 or above

Browsers
PC MAC
Internet Explorer 6.0 or Firefox Internet Explorer 5.2x or Safari 1.2
   
Browser Settings
JavaScript must be enabled
Java must be enabled
Cookies must be enabled
All pop-up blockers must be turned off.
The recommended version of JRE is 1.5.7
   
Recommended Plug-Ins
Flash
Shockwave
Real Player
Windows Media Player
QuickTime
Adobe Reader
   
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
America-on-Line in NOT recommended. If your Internet Service Provider is AOL, you should try connecting to AOL and then, once connected, use Internet Explorer as your internet browser.
 
Other Recommendations
Students are strongly encouraged to have virus protection software installed on their computers.
Students are strongly encouraged to keep up to date with Windows Updates.
Getting your computer ready for teaching online (PDF).

Technical Skills

You do not have to be a computer expert to take an online course. However, you must be comfortable using a computer and working on the Internet to be successful. You will need all of the technical skills mentioned below in online courses. Lack of technical knowledge can greatly interfere with your success in learning online. If you are not comfortable with the competencies listed below, consider taking a computer literacy course prior to enrolling in an online course.

Computer Know what type of computer you have (i.e., PC or Macintosh); What Operating system you are running and what version (i.e., Windows XP or MacOS X), the hard disk size (in MB), and memory (RAM). Be able to create folders and directories to organize files on your hard drive, rename files, locate programs and files, open and close files. Download and install software Perform routine maintenance on your computer such as updating anti-virus software, and running maintenance utility programs such as Windows updates built into Windows.
Word Processing Create and format paragraphs and documents, cut and paste text, and change fonts. Name and save documents as files. Save files in different formats such as Text Only (.txt) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) files.  
E-mail Send and receive email messages. Attach files to email and open email attachments. Organize email by saving into folders  
Internet Use a Web browser and understand what a web address URL is. Be able to go to a specific Web site. Understand how to navigate web pages. Also know how to use the electronic resources at Lamson Library. Effectively use search engines such as Yahoo, Google, Altavista and others. Identify sites with relevant information. Create and organize bookmarks or favorites Download and maintain recent versions of a Web browser by downloading latest version off the Web. Configure certain features of your browser such as "cookies."

Frost School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Speare Administration Building 116. MSC 10. (603) 535-2822. frost_school@plymouth.edu

Plymouth State University. 17 High Street. Plymouth, New Hampshire 03264-1595
A member of the University System of New Hampshire.© 2006-2008. All rights Reserved.
This page was last updated: 3/14/2008