Prerequisites for Taking an Online Course

Before signing up for an online course, be sure that you have an up-to-date computer and the technical skills and knowledge that will be required to succeed in an online course.

Computer requirements:

You should already have:

1. Minimum Requirements: Modern PC or Laptop with at least 512 MB of RAM, a 56k modem and Windows XP
2. Recommended: Modern PC or Laptop with at least 1 GB MB of RAM, a broadband Internet connection and Windows XP or Windows Vista
3. Your own e-mail address. Recommended: Microsoft student email service using Live@Edu. Each student has been given an @Allegany.edu email address. Although optional, all students are encouraged to start using their ACM email accounts for college related communications!
4. Online courses are accessed via the Internet using a Web browser (Microsoft, Internet Explorer and Firefox are supported.
   
   

   Windows          Operating Systems				MAC Operating Systems****
   		2000**	XP	10.2	10.3
   Internet Explorer Web Browsers	5.2	N/A	N/A	C	✓
   	5.5	C	C	N/A	N/A
   	6.0	✓	✓	N/A	N/A
   Netscape and Mozilla Web Browsers	NS 4.78	C	C	C	C
   	NS 7.1***	C	C	C	C
   	Firefox 1.0.x***	✓	✓	C	C
   Apple Safari Web Browsers	1.0	N/A	N/A	C	N/A
   	1.1	N/A	N/A	N/A	C
   	1.2	N/A	N/A	N/A	✓

   
   

   Key
   ✓	Certified - fully tested and supported
   C	Compatible - key application areas tested
   N/A	Not tested - specified Browser is not supported for the Operating System

   
   

   ^* All configurations marked as Compatible and have undergone a limited engineering analysis to test areas of the Blackboard Academic Suite that may have browser issues. Additional information on known browser issues may be found in the Knowledge Base.

   ^** Microsoft Windows 2000 supported configurations are considered compatible when run on Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME.

   ^*** Gecko is the shared rendering engine at the heart of the Firefox 1.0.x, Netscape 7.1 and Mozilla 1.5 browsers, which are all considered compatible browsers. Only Firefox has undergone testing that qualifies it as Certified.

   ^**** The Safari Web browser and the Gecko browsers for Mac do not currently fully support the Live Connect technology used by some features in the Blackboard Learning System. The Equation Editor, Collaboration tool and SCORM Content type may experience issues when these browsers are used. See the Knowledge Base articles 181-2429, 181-2428, 181-2431, 181-2432 for detailed information.

   ^***** The Visual Text Box Editor is only available to users with Microsoft Internet Explorer running on Windows Operating Systems.
   
   

5. Microsoft Office or equivalent software:
   
   • Most courses use Microsoft Word and other MS Office Products such as PowerPoint.
   • If you don’t use MS Word you will need to change your assignment files to Text (.txt) or Rich Text (RTF) format before you submit them to your instructor.
   • If you do not have MS Office Software, you can down load free readers available on Microsoft’s website at www.microsoft.com/downloads.
6. Anti Virus software installed and running on your computer.
7. Some courses require additional hardware and software. Be sure to check the syllabus for the course to be sure you have the appropriate hardware and softwar prior to signing up for the class.
   




Technical Skills and Knowledge


You should already know how to:

1. Use browser software (Netscape or Internet Explorer)
2. Use a search engine (Yahoo, Google, etc.)
3. Send and receive email (including attaching files)
4. Save files to your hard drive
5. Find files on your hard drive (navigate folders)
6. Use word processing software that can save files in the MS Word format.
7. Update your computer with anti-virus software

Personal Skills and Study Habits

Taking a distance learning course has many advantages, such as:

• Increased scheduling flexibility.
• An opportunity to study when and where you wish (anytime, anywhere learning).
• Enhanced access to the instructor, course materials and course resources.
• A chance to learn using new and emerging technologies.


However, a distance learning class is not for everyone. Online courses are not easier or less time consuming than traditional courses. On the contrary, online courses often require more time than a traditional face-to-face course. Online courses also require you to be more disciplined and to accept a greater responsibility for your own learning. If you find it difficult to stay motivated or to meet deadlines without prompting from your instructor, online learning may not be for you.

A successful distance learner:

• is self-motivated (does not need a lot of direction, motivation from an instructor)
• is self-disciplined (can budget time wisely and does not procrastinate often)
• enjoys the challenge of learning independently (likes to read and learn)
• takes charge of her/his own learning (willing to ask questions and get help when necessary)
• reads well and communicates well in writing
• may need a flexible schedule but understands that flexibility does NOT mean the course will be easy.


Determining if you are ready for an online course:

Take the online quiz to see if you have the technical skills to succeed at online learning.


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