What Equipment Do I Need to Take an Online Learning Course?
If you do not have regular access to a computer that meets the Blackboard Learning System’s minimum requirements, then choosing an online course may not be for you. A high speed Internet connection is recommended since some courses require you to view large video files. A computer that was purchased in the last five years should be sufficient to access your online course. Your computer should have at least 4GB of RAM and Windows 7 or higher or Mac OS 10.8 or higher.
Blackboard works on both Windows and Mac computers. Some courses may require special software that is compatible with one or the other operating systems. This will be noted in the course offering notes. Chromebooks are not fully supported by Blackboard and may not be able to access to all of Blackboard’s features.
Blackboard constantly modifies its software to meet browser updates. Bb works best with Firefox, Safari, and Chrome. If you run into a problem, try another browser. This generally resolves the issue. Check your browser’s compatibility.
Courses requiring specific software may have different computer hardware requirements than are listed here. Please check with the software manufacturer for specific requirements before installing the program on your computer.
I Have Never Used a Computer. Should I Take Online Learning Courses?
Succeeding in an online course requires self-motivation, self-discipline, and basic experience with
- Navigating through files and menus
- Saving files and organizing them in folders
- Sending/receiving email and email attachments
- Searching and browsing the Web
- Using a word processor, e.g. MS Word
If you do not understand the computer terminology in these guidelines, it may be a sign that you are not ready to take an online course. To help you prepare for an online course MWCC students have access to Hoonuit through the iConnect portal. Hoonuit is a free resource of 80,000 short instructional videos on over 290 software programs. You will also find other excellent tools such as overviews of PC and Mac basics, how to study guides, and ”Being an Effective Online Student.”