Computer Requirements and Recommendations
for An Online Course on WebCT

You must have dependable and convenient access to an internet connection to take an online course:

    You must minimally have:

            1. consistent and convenient access to a computer-(*see computer recommendation ) with A broadband connection

                (or as a minimum a fast modem and dsl connection , BUT ALL OF THESE ESPECIALLY A dial up isp may be too slow and frustrating for you to use -
                  LECTURES CAN TAKE 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO LOAD AND YOU MAY GET DISCONNECTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE  QUIZZES AND TESTS
                   AND IF THIS HAPPENS YOU MAY HAVE TO TAKE EXAMS AT A COMPUTER LAB ON CAMPUS.)

            2. the latest browser either Internet Explorer or Netscape

        In order to check that your browser compatibility and/or settings are correct, you will need to know the version of WebCT we are currently using, and we
        are currently using WebCT Version 4.1SE.

            Current recommendations for web browser settings from WebCT are found on the WebCT web site at:           

                         http://www.webct.com/tuneup

                Check your browser at the following urls:

                       http://www.lib.flinders.edu.au/webct/  

        Then click in the list options Your computer and Webct which will provide updated versions of the plug-ins you will need to use the components of
        the webct online course such as powerpoint player, video players and/or activity players.

         You can also go to these websites as some seem to work well for certain individuals and their computers

                      http://www.itrc.wvu.edu/webct/faq2.html

                        For frequently asked questions about webct : go to

http://www.webct.com/ask_drc/viewpage?name=ask_drc_faq_student

            3. an internet service provider (ISP), such as earthlink, aol, bellsouth, etc

            4. a handy cable TV connection which is the best option or a telephone line (but it may be very slow to use for an online course)

* Recommendations about your computer

            PC with Windows 98, or 2000 with a minimum of 64MB of RAM,  (Slower computers might work, but they would be extremely frustrating to you
            as a student in an online course as you would have to wait a relatively long time for images to come up.)

            or     
            Mac Power PC with a minimum of 65 MB of RAM with a 68040 + processor - with OS X or higher.

Also

            Courses may require a cdrom drive; speaker/sound card for computer with a 28.8 kpps modem -

            Note* Cable Modems are 30-100% faster than telephone modems and ISP usually cost around $20.00 - 50.00 per month. 

General help for an Online course/webct

Good student tutorial on webct generated online course + resources for webct  go to: http://www.webct.com/oriented

Basic Computer and Internet Skills You Need to have include

Learn about Online Courses

                (Important: See and study the Student Tour of Webct Software, a program that was used to develop both Bio . 204 and Bio. 205. 

                This following website will teach you  what are the component parts of webct course are and how to use the component parts of a webct
                developed online courses

                 go to:  http://webct.usg.edu/student_tour/StudentTourFolder/intro.html

                *For general help with webct problems and answer to your basic questions - go to
                http://www.webct.com/ask_drc/viewpage?name=ask_drc_student or call 1-877-725-4357 - this is an important number to Webct Help Desk
                which available  to you 24/7.

                For good instructions on the quiz section (testing section) and discussion area go to page
                http://www.usyd.edu.au/webct/student_guides.html  and go to appropriate link.


            Now go to the website about the

Personal Characteristics

You need to have as an Online student

Be sure to read!

CSDunn

11/28/2005