Distance Learning -
Technical Requirements
1. Make sure you and your computer are
ready
1.2. Hardware & Software Requirements
1.5. Plug-ins needed for your Browser
1.6. How to Reset your Internet Browser
2. About your Security while browsing
the Internet
1. Make sure you and your computer are ready
Here
are some technical requirements that you and your computer should meet to
ensure that you are both ready for the distance learning challenge.
1.1.
Personal
Requirements
Make sure
you know how to do the following so that you can have a successful learning
experience:
ü
Computer skills:
You should have experience using a personal computer. You must know how
to use a keyboard and a mouse, save and open files, navigate the file systems,
install software and print documents.
ü
Internet/Browser Basics: You should know how to open and close
browsers, bookmark URLs; input URLs into the location/address bar; print from
the Web, navigate the Web; download files from Web sites and install software.
ü Email: You should know how to save and
organize emails, as well as send and open attachments. You need an email
account in order to communicate with your professor and classmates.
Learn Essential Skills with the Microsoft Digital Literacy Curriculum
1.2.
Hardware & Software Requirements
If
using a Windows Computer the Operating system can be Windows XP, Vista or
Windows 7. If using an Apple Computer, use Mac OSX 10.5 or newer.
ü How do I get information about my Computer Hardware
and Software?
Go to Start
Menu à Click on My Computer à Select Properties to launch System Properties.
Click on the General Tab. All
details about your computer including your System OS Version, RAM Memory, and
Processor information.
If you are using
Windows XP or Vista, make sure you have Service Pack 2. If you have Windows 7,
it should have Service Pack 1. For more information regarding Service Packs
visit Microsoft Website.
To update your
Operating System you Go to Start
Menu à Click on All Programs à
Windows Update. This
will connect you to the Microsoft Website and will download the latest updates.
Most computers do this automatically. But you want to make sure it is working
properly checking this manually the way which is explained above.
In
an Apple computer - Open the Apple icon on the
toolbar. Click on About this Computer
The
Internet Browser is the program that you use to Browse or Navigate the Web.
Most common browsers are Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome,
Safari and Opera.
ü
If you use Internet Explorer:
For Windows XP, use Internet Explorer 8. If you have Windows Vista or
Windows 7, use Internet Explorer 9. You can also use the latest
version of Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
To identify the
Internet Explorer version installed on your computer: Open Internet Explorer à Press ALT+H, and then click About Internet Explorer.
ü If you use Mozilla Firefox:
Visit the Mozilla Website to check for the
latest version.
To identify the one
installed in your Computer: Open Mozilla Firefox à Press ALT+H, and then click About Mozilla Firefox.
If you have any
issues using a Browser, try to use another one.
1.2.3.
Plug-ins needed for your Browser.
A plug-in or Add-on
is a piece of software that extends the capabilities of your internet browser. For
example, to display a flash video while navigating the Internet, you need the
Flash Player plug-in installed. In order to display an interactive Math or
Physics exercise, you’ll need the Java plug-in installed, and so on.
Install Adobe Reader in order to open PDF files.
Install the latest Flash Player for dynamic
content and videos.
Install the latest Java Runtime Environment for interactive
Java content.
1.2.4.
How
to Reset your Internet Browser.
Sometimes the Settings in your browser prevent the correct rendering of pages. This is the time when you want to reset those setting to the factory defaults.
If
you use Internet Explorer:
·
Open
Internet Explorer
·
Click
on Tools Menu, then Internet Options
·
The
Internet Options dialog box appears.
·
Click
the Advanced tab.
·
Under
Reset Internet Explorer settings, click Reset.
·
If
you want to keep your Favorites and Home
Page – Don’t check Delete
Personal Settings
·
Then
click Reset again.
·
When
Internet Explorer finishes resetting the settings, click Close in the Reset
Internet Explorer Settings dialog box.
·
Start
Internet Explorer again.
If
you use Mozilla Firefox, this link provides detailed instructions. For
all other browsers, visit the corresponding website.
2. About your Security while browsing the
Internet.
Because of the high number of security risks, like viruses, malware and other threats, you have to make sure that your computer is running the latest version for every piece of software installed. This applies to the Operating Systems and Applications.
An
antivirus and antimalware application is a very important asset. But keep in
mind that this software is useless unless you keep them updated. You can use Norton
Antivirus, McAfee, etc. If you are in a budget, use AVG
free version or Avast. Paid antivirus programs are not
necessarily better than the free versions. These free antivirus lack some
features but provide the basic protection needed in most cases.
The first line of defense for your protection
while online is your common sense. Visit only sites that you know and trust.
Most of these sites belong to known companies and institutions with high
reputation. Avoid clicking on advertising banners because there’s no way to
know that they really belong to whoever is claiming ownership.
Most computers have an Office Suite Package that allows you to work with a variety of Documents, Spreadsheets and Presentations.
1.
Microsoft Office is the most common and what we
recommend. You can buy the Office Home
and Student version in their Website.
2.
There
are other options, like the free Office
Suite Libre Office. The only thing to remember is to Save the Documents in Microsoft
Format, so that the
work you send is compatible.
3.
A
third path is using Online Office Suites.
·
If
you have an Email account with Live.com
or Hotmail.com, you
have an Online Office Suite available. You can access that by opening your
Email and Clicking on the Documents Tab.
You also have access to a 25GB storage space for your documents.
·
If
you have a Google Gmail account, you
have access to Google Documents. A full-fledged Online Office Suite with plenty
of storage space.
Using
the Online Office suites means you will have download the Documents you
compose, before sending them to your professor.
If you have any questions please do
not hesitate to contact the Distance Learning Department at gonzalezj@mm.fnc.edu
or call at the Hialeah Campus: Mondays and Fridays from 8:30AM to 1:30PM
and 5:30PM to 8:30PM (305) 821-3333 Ext. 1067, at the South Campus Tuesdays,
Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00AM to 1:00PM and 5:30PM to 8:30PM (305)
226-9999 Ext. 1345.