Orientation to Online Instruction: Technical Requirements
You will need to spend at least 6 hours per week on course activities. Using a friend or relative's computer is fine as long as you are able to use the system when you need it. Access to computers and the Internet is also available at the SWTJC libraries and in some computer labs.
General Technology Requirements:
Access to a computer with a 486 or higher processor. You can use your own computer, use a friend or relative's computer, use computers at your local or SWTJC library or open computer labs. Using a computer other than your own will require advanced planning and storing your work on a portable storage device.
Access to a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. You will use this browser to access WebCT or BlackBoard which are the instructional platforms that is being used for online coursework at SWTJC.
Access to the Internet. It is especially important that you have access to a reliable internet connection. You can use dial-up, a DSL line, a satellite connection, or a cable connection such as RoadRunner.
Access to word processing software such as Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, Wordpad, Notepad, or OpenOffice Writer.
Access to an external storage device such as a jump drive, CD writer, or 3 1/2 inch floppy disks. These devices are especially important if you use computers other than your own.
Specific Technology Requirements:
In addition; specific courses have additional software requirements. Check the list that follows to see what you need for a specific class and click on the links that follow to see if you have the required software installed on your computer. If your course is not listed here, check your course syllabus for additional requirements.
If you are able to save, open, and edit the following files you should have at least the minimum computer system with the correct application programs and Internet connection required to be successful in your online class or the online part of your class.
Group 1
BMGT 2303 Problem Solving and Decision Making
BUSG 2309 Small Business Management
BUSI 1301 Business Principles
IMED 1316 CDR01 Web Page Design 1
ITMC 1441 ADR01 Implementing Microsoft Windows Professional and Server
ITMC 1442 ADR01 Implementing a Microsoft Windows Network Infrastructure
ITNW 1325 ADR01 Fundamentals of Networking Technologies
ITSC 1325 ADR01 Personal Computer Hardware
ITSE 1302 ADR01 Introduction to Programming
PBAD 1341 Governmental Agencies
PBAD 2305 Public Sector Management
PSYC 2301 General Psychology
PSYC 2314 Lifespan Growth and Development
These classes require a word processing program capable of saving documents in Hypertext Markup Language (.htm or .html) or Rich Text Format (.rtf).
You should be able to save the following file to your computer; open it; edit it and then save the file again. To see if your computer is adequate click on the following file and select Save. Open the file after it has been saved to your computer.
If you can do this; your word processing program is adequate for this group of courses.
Group 2
COSC 1401 Microcomputer Applications
ITSC 1301 Introduction to Computers
These classes require a personal organizer program, a word processor program, a spreadsheet program, a database program, and a presentation program. The textbooks use the Microsoft Office suite with the following programs: Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point.
Or you should be able to use the OpenOffice suite with these programs: Writer, Calc, Base, and Impress.
You should be able to save the following files to your computer. After saving the files you should be able to open the files, edit the files and then save the files again. To see if your computer is adequate click on one of the following files and select Save. Open the file after it has been saved to your computer. Also Save, Open, and Save the other two files to make sure that your computer has the required programs for the class.
The Access database file requires special opening procedures because Microsoft security will block the opening of the file. After the file is saved to your computer right click on the name of the file. Select Properties on the drop down menu. On the Properties window select the General tab; near the bottom of the window you will see the Security: section with a notice that this file came from another computer, click on |Unblock|, then click on |Apply|, and then click on |OK|. Open, view, and Save the file to make sure that your computer has the required program to open this Access file.
If you use the OpenOffice program Base you should also be able to edit and save this file.
If you can do this; your computer application programs are adequate for this group of courses.
Group 3
ACCT 2401 Principles of Accounting I
ACCT 2402 Principles of Accounting II
This group of courses requires access to the publisher’s e-pack. Instructions for registering and access to the e-pack will be provided at the start of the course. It is recommended that your internet provider be either DSL or cable. A dial-up will work but will be extremely slow.
Group 4
Govt 2301 American Government I
Govt 2302 American Government II
This group of courses requires access to the publisher’s e-pack. Instructions for registering and access to the e-pack will be provided at the start of the course. It is recommended that your internet provider be either DSL or cable. A dial-up will work but will be extremely slow.
These classes also require a word processor program, a spreadsheet program, and a presentation program. The textbooks use the Microsoft Office suite with the following programs: Word, Excel, and Power Point. Or you should be able to use the OpenOffice suite with these programs: Writer, Calc, and Impress. These classes require a word processing program capable of saving documents in Hypertext Markup Language (.htm or .html) or Rich Text Format (.rtf).
You should be able to save the following files to your computer. After saving the files you should be able to open the files, edit the files and then save the files again. To see if your computer is adequate click on one of the following files and select Save. Open the file after it has been saved to your computer. Also Save, Open, and Save the other three file to make sure that your computer has the required programs for the class.
If you can do this; your computer application programs are adequate for this group of courses.
You may encounter additional issues. A help desk is available to assist with computer problems. The help desk may be reached at (830)-278-4401 in Uvalde or (830) 775-1612 in Del Rio or (830)-758-0022 in Eagle Pass or (830)-374-3378 in Crystal City, then dial 0 and ask for extension 7323 or at (830) 591-7323.
WebAdvisor or SWTJC Portal as well as SWTJC's WebCT or SWTJC's BlackBoard may also be used during your class to aid in your Online learning experience.
Revised August 2008