Academic Programs > Distance Learning > Computer System Requirements for Academic Online Courses
Computer System Requirements for Academic Online Courses

To be successful in your online course, you must have access to hardware and software. Below you will find hardware and software recommendations for an online course. Also check with your Instructor for any course-specific hardware and software requirements.  

Hardware Recommendations

Operating System
  Recommended Minimum
Windows Processor: Pentium III or better
RAM: 128 MB or more (128 required for Windows XP users)
Operating System: Windows 2000 or
later (ME, XP)
Processor: Pentium II 300 MHz
RAM: 64 MB
Operating System: Windows 98 SE
Macintosh Processor: G4 or G5
RAM: 128 MB or more
Operating System: Mac OS 10.x
Processor: Power PC G3
RAM: 64 MB
Operating System: Mac OS 9.2

Hard Drive Space

  Recommended Minimum
  1.0 GB free disk space 100 MB free disk space
Internet Connection Requirements
  Recommended Minimum
Windows and
Macintosh
DSL, cable modem, or faster connection 56 Kb/sec modem
Printer Recommended
CD-ROM Recommended - some courses use textbooks with CD-ROMs
Sound Card Recommended - with speakers/headphones
Monitor 15" monitor (800 x 600 resolution - 1024x768 resolution recommended)

Software Recommendations

Internet Access Any Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Browser

WebCT 4.1 supports the following browsers:

  • Microsoft IE versions 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 and 7.0
  • Netscape versions 6.2.x, 7.0 and 7.1
  • AOL versions 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0
  • Mozilla 1.5 and 1.6
  • Safari 1.2

Determining your Browser Version:

To determine browser version click "Check Browser" in the WebCT menu bar or follow the steps below:
 

  • Open your browser.
  • From the browser menu bar, select Help.
  • Select About. If there are several, choose the one about your browser.
  • A screen will appear that shows your browser name and version.
     

TTC recommends that AOL users should use either Internet Explorer or Netscape browsers after gaining access through AOL.

Miscellaneous
Review the following list of software requirements for an online course:

Streaming Audio/Video and Multimedia

Click the appropriate link below to download the most recent versions of plug-ins.

Windows Media Player
http://windowsmedia.com/download

Windows Media Player for MAC
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/mac/default.aspx

RealPlayer
http://www.real.com/freeplayer/?rppr=rnwk/ohttp://www.real.com/freeplayer/?rppr=rnwk

QuickTime
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html/ohttp:/www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html

Shockwave
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?

Adobe Flash Player
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash

PDF Reader

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html/ohttp:/www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html 

PowerPoint Viewer

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=428D5727-43AB-4F24-90B7-A94784AF71A4

Word Document Viewer http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=95E24C87-8732-48D5-8689-AB826E7B8FDF&displaylang=en
Excel Document Viewer http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c8378bf4-996c-4569-b547-75edbd03aaf0&displaylang=EN

 

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