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In
General
You are likely to encounter technical barriers to learning if you
do not have the following minimum equipment and skills:
- A modem
with a 28.8 or faster connection speed.
- Proficiency in navigating the World Wide Web (the Web) and ability
to download and install plug-ins.
- Your own E-mail account with the ability to send and receive
attachments. For Macs, Eudora is recommended as an E-mail application.
As an online student, you will have a separate e-mail account within
your course.
- A reliable ISP which answers without frequent busy signals. An online
course requires accessing the web on a regular basis.
- A firewall that allows applicable services to work. If you are
accessing these classes from behind a firewall (from your office),
you should contact the instructor and find out what services are
going to be used in the class, then contact your ISP or Network
administrator, and find out if those services will work through
the firewall.
- The ability to read MS Word files, either by having
MS Word itself, or by downloading the free MS Word viewer from
the Microsoft web-site. MS Word is
the supported Word Processor at Greenville Technical College.
- The ability to install and troubleshoot course-specific applications
that must be run on your computer. Faculty cannot help with installations
and problems that occur when installations do not work.
- The following
software, which is suggested but is not required for many classes: Macromedia
Shockwave Plug-In, RealPlayer
with FLASH support, Adobe Acrobat
Reader 4.0+
WebCT is a Web-based set of Course Tools designed to deliver online learning. It was originally developed by the University of British Columbia and is currently being used by universities and colleges all over the world. Some of the WebCT tools used to support online learning include the following:
. calendar
. chat
. discussions
. glossary
. homepages
. mail
. presentations
. quiz
. assignments
. digital drop box
WebCT provides the tools to present online learning in a variety of ways. They can range from structured learning pathways to dynamic, interactive virtual classrooms. How a course is presented online depends on the content and complexity of the learning material, and the delivery methodology used by the instructor.
Hardware/Software
Summary (Top
of Page)
| Computer |
Minimum
Requirements
(Always check the course syllabus for additional requirements) |
| PC |
Processor:
Pentium 200-MHz
Recommended: Pentium II or III, 300-MHz
or better.
Memory (RAM): 64 MB
Recommended: 128 MB
Screen Resolution: 800 x 600 @256 colors
Modem (28.8 or faster), CD-ROM Drive
Operating Systems: Windows 98, NT, ME or XP
Browsers: Netscape Communicator 4.05 or higher;
or Internet Explorer 3.02 or higher
Recommended: Internet Explorer 5.0
or higher or Netscape Navigator 7.1 or later.
Office
Software: Microsoft Office 97. Office XP is required
for specific coursework in some classes; check the instructor's
syllabus for more information. |
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Apple
Macintosh |
Processor:
iMac or G3/G4 series
Memory (RAM): 64 MB
Recommended: 128 MB
Screen Resolution: 800 x 600 @256 colors
Modem (28.8 or faster), CD-ROM Drive
Operating Systems: OS 7.X or better
Browsers: Netscape 3.02 Gold (Java Enabled) or
higher or Netscape Communicator 4.5 or higher.
Recommended: Netscape Communicator
7 or later.
Office Software: Microsoft Office 2000. A later version may be required for specific coursework in some classes;
check the instructor's syllabus for more information. |
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Be sure
to turn off any Pop Up Blocking software that might be used by your
Internet Service Provider. The pop-up blocker will keep you from being able to
use the Email, Discussion Board, and Quiz Functions of your course.
Which
Browser Should I Use?
We have found Netscape 7.x to be the most stable browser when using
WEB CT. Students and instructors have reported various odd errors
that have been resolved simply by switching to Netscape 7.x.
Internet Explorer
5.0 appears to work well, as does AOL 7.0's browser and AOL 8.0.
However, if you are using Charter Pipeline's browser, then you will
need to download Netscape 7.x.
If you are using IE 5.5 or later and are getting
errors inside your course, then try Netscape 7.x. To check which
browser and version you are using, click on the button below:
If you need Netscape, then click on the following link: Download
Netscape 7.x. Once at the site, choose to download the browser and
follow the on-screen directions.
1. Adjust
Browser Settings as Follows (Virtual Tutorials are available to guide you through the process of setting up your browser.)
|
Browser |
Instructions |
| Netscape
Communicator (Navigator 7.0 or later) |
- Select Edit - Preferences.
- Select Advanced.
- Make sure that Enable
Java is checked.
- Double-Click Advanced
so that you see a sub-menu and click on Scripts
& Plugins.
- At the top where it says
Enable Javascript For, place a check next
to Navigator.
- click OK.
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| Internet
Explorer 5.0 or later. |
- Select Tools - Internet
Options.
- Select the Advanced
tab.
- Locate Microsoft VM.
- Make sure the Java console
enabled and Java logging enabled boxes are
checked.
- Click OK.
- Restart your computer if
you checked the Java console enabled box.
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2.
Set the Cache to
Always Reload a Page
|
Browser |
Instructions |
| Netscape
Communicator (Navigator 7.0 or later) |
- Select Edit - Preferences.
- Double-Click on Advanced
to see the same submenu that you saw when enabling javascript.
- Select Cache.
- Select the Every Time
I view the Page radio button.
- Click OK.
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| Internet
Explorer 5.0 or later |
- Select Tools - Internet
Options.
- Select the General
tab.
- Select Settings from
Temporary Internet Files.
- Select the Every Visit
to the Page radio button.
- Click OK.
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Reminder to AOL Users:
If you intend to use America Online (AOL) for Web access to
WebCT, you will need version 7.0 or later.
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