Basic Computer Skills
Online learning requires a certain level of comfort using the computer. You should feel comfortable with:
- creating, opening, saving, and closing files
- using your mouse to navigate around your desktop/laptop
- sending, replying, and forwarding email messages
- sending/saving an email attachment
- using a browser and searching the web
- using a word processing application such as Word
- copying and pasting text
- minimizing and maximizing your application windows
- navigating between several open software applications with ease
If you need further training with some of these common tasks you can access online tutorials here, Entry Level Computer Skills
Computer Requirements
First, you must determine if you have the computer resources necessary to participate in an online course. The minimum technical requirements for access to the online learning system are:
PC Users
Pentium II processor or better
Windows 98/NT/2000/XP
128MB RAM
Macintosh Users
Power PC G3 or better
Mac OS 8.6 or higher or Mac OSX 10.1 or higher
128MB RAM
Java
Java Runtime Environment will need to be installed and enabled on your computer in order for certain functions to work properly within the myCourses sytem. The recommended Java Runtime Environment software version is 1.5. Update 11.
Internet Requirements
An internet connection of 56K or better is required for both the faculty and students. A DSL or cable modem connection is preferred but not required. AOL Subscribers: AOL is the most popular Internet Service Provider (ISP); however, it can be the cause of many technical problems when accessing the UMass Online Learning System. It is suggested that after you have established a connection to the Internet via AOL, minimize the AOL window then open either Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator/Communicator to participate in your online course.
