Internet Access:

You should have a relatively fast Internet connection. A 56K modem connection is the minimum connection speed. It is more desirable that you access the course via a network connection, a cable modem or a DSL connection.

Minimal Computer Hardware Requirements:

* Internet Access: 56 K dial-up modem (minimum); cable modem or DSL preferred
* Processor: 200 MHz or faster
* Memory: 128 MB RAM; 1 GB free hard drive space
* CD-ROM drive
* sound card

Minimal Software Requirements:

In addition to hardware requirements, there are software requirements for participating in the Virtual Academy. These requirements are fairly nominal. You must have a web browser that has been validated for use with WebCT/Blackboard CE6, the course delivery software adopted by CCBC. Your browser must be configured properly for optimal performance. You must also have the recommended version of Java installed and enabled, and all pop-up blocking programs must be disabled or uninstalled.

In addition, since you will be creating your course material for delivery over the web, you will need to have Macromedia's Dreamweaver 8 and Macromedia's Flash Plug-in installed on your college machine. Read the information below to learn how to obtain both an appropriate browser and Macromedia's Dreamweaver 8 and Flash Plug In.

Operating System:

* PC: Microsoft Windows 2000 Second Edition, Windows XP operating systems
* Mac: Macintosh OS X operating systems

Browser Requirements:

Supported Browsers for Windows:

* Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1; 6.0 SP2; 7
* Netscape 7.2
* AOL 9.0
* Mozilla 1.7.x
* Firefox 1.0.x, 1.5.x, 2.0 (SP1 Hotfix 2)

Supported Browsers for Mac:

* Mozilla 1.7.x (OS X only)
* Firefox 1.0.x (OS X only)
* Safari 1.2, 1.3, 2.x; and 2.x for Intel x86 platform

To check to see whether you have a WebCT compliant browser:

1. Open your browser.
2. From the browser menu bar, open the Help menu.
3. Select the About option. If there are several, choose the one about your browser. A screen will appear that shows your browser name and version.
4. If you do not have a WebCT compliant browser, click here to download a supported browser.

Browser Configuration:

No matter which browser you’re using, it must be configured to work properly with CE 6. Many of the problems that students encounter, such as login failures or course tools not working properly, can be traced to browser configuration. Your web browser must be configured so that:

* Java and JavaScript are enabled
* Cache is set to reload the page each time
* Cookies are enabled
* Pop-up blockers are disabled

The best way to troubleshoot any potential browser issue is to go to the Browser Tune-up page at http://www.webct.com/tuneup. Scroll down to numeral 2 and click Start the Browser Tune-up. This will identify your operating system and browser, and take you to a page that gives step-by-step instructions on how to configure each item in your browser.

Java Installation:

Java is a program that allows many of the tools in WebCT/Blackboard to function. You may already have one or more versions of Java on your computer. In CE 6, it is critically important that you:

* have the recommended version of Java installed
* remove any other versions of Java
* enable Java and JavaScript
* turn off any automatic updates of Java

To find out which version of Java you’re running, click on the Start button, then click Settings and Control Panel. Look for Java on the list and double-click it for details. CCBC recommends J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 7 (sometimes referred to as Java 1.5_7) as the most suitable for CE 6. If you do not have the recommended version, click here to download a free copy.

Mac Users: The Mac OS X operating system comes with the correct version of Java installed.

Having more than one version of Java on your computer has been found to cause problems in WebCT/Blackboard. You should remove any versions of Java other than Java 1.5_7. Click on the Start button, then click on Settings and Control Panel. Double-click Add or Remove Programs and delete any previous versions of Java.

Once you have installed the recommended version of Java and removed other versions, you must make sure that Java and JavaScript are enabled. See the directions above under Browser Configuration to complete the Browser Tune-up and to perform the steps for your browser.

NOTE: Java version 6 (1.6) has been released, but it has not been validated for use with CE 6. It is important that you do not download this version, and that you have turned off automatic Java updates as follows:

1. From the Start menu, click Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Java (or Java Plug-in).
3. Click the Update tab.
4. Make sure the checkbox next to Check for Updates Automatically is unchecked.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click the "X" to close the Java Plug-in Control Panel window.

Dreamweaver 8:

All participants of the Virtual Academy are eligible to receive installation of the most current version Macromedia's Dreamweaver 8. You should contact your local network administrator or the Learning Support Specialist on your campus so that they can install the software on your campus machine. The Learning Support Specialists are:

Darlene Cockey, Learning Support Specialist
CCBC Catonsville, H-129
Phone: 869-7115
Email: dcockey@ccbcmd.edu

Libby Kennedy, Learning Support Specialist
CCBC Dundalk, L-116
Phone: 285-9929
Email: lkennedy@ccbcmd.edu

Mike Redding, Learning Support Specialist
CCBC Essex, P-ETC
Phone: 780-6802
Email: mredding@ccbcmd.edu

Flash Plug In:

The animations that are used in this course will require that you have installed a Flash Plug In. Your will be introduced to a typical animation when you get to the Logging In portion of this orientation. At that time, if you do not have the appropriate Plug In, you will be prompted to download it. If you need assistance downloading or installing it, please contact the Computing Help Center or the Learning Support Specialist on your campus. The plug in should be installed before the beginning of the course.

If you have network administrator privileges or if you're using your personal computer, you can click here to download a Flash player.

Pop-up Blockers:

Pop-up blocking programs must be disabled or uninstalled when you’re working in CE 6. While these programs serve a useful purpose in blocking unwanted advertisements, they also prevent many of the WebCT/Blackboard tools from working, especially the Mail, Discussion and Quiz tools.

You may have installed a pop-up blocker on your PC. In this case, locate the program on your hard drive and follow the vendor’s instructions for disabling or uninstalling it.

If you’re not sure what might have been installed on your PC, open My Computer, double-click on the Hard Drive, and double click on Program Files. Look for programs with “pop-up” in the title; some popular programs are Pop-up Stopper, Pop-up Defender and Pop-up Zapper. Disable or uninstall any such programs.

There also may be pop-up blocking tools bundled with some ISP software, browsers, and anti-virus and security software. If you’ve removed all known pop-up blockers but you’re still unable to open a link in a WebCT/Blackboard course, make sure that any pop-up blocking tools and firewalls have been turned off. Some common software packages that contain pop-up blocking tools are listed below.

* McAfee Internet Security Suite
* Norton Internet Security
* Google Toolbar
* Yahoo! Toolbar
* MSN Toolbar
* America Online
* Earthlink
* Internet Explorer
* Netscape
* Mozilla
* Firefox
* Safari