Summer School Resources

Requirements for Online Courses

Students must have access to a broadband Internet connection, a personal computer manufactured within the last three years.

If your teacher requires it, students taking online or blended courses will need a USB Headset (the built-in microphone and speakers of a computer is not sufficient) and if your teacher requires, a USB Webcam (if one is not built into the computer).

If you have questions about hardware or software requirements, please contact the ITS Helpdesk at 404.471.5487.

PCs

• Access to high-speed (cable, DSL) network connection
• Processor: Pentium IV 3.0 Ghz / equivalent or better processor (dual-core processor recommended)
• Operating System: Windows Vista Service Pack 2, Windows 7 with all current updates installed (updates available at http://update.microsoft.com)
• Memory: 2+ Gigabytes RAM Memory
• Hard drive: 120 Gigabyte with at least 20 gigabytes free
• Sound card and speakers
• Headset with microphone
• Monitor with 1024x728-pixel resolution or better
• Software – install latest versions unless otherwise specified:
• Web Browser: Updated Firefox and Chrome are the preferred browsers. Internet Explorer lacks some functionality in Moodle.
• Current anti-virus software!
• Microsoft Word 2003 or newer (or Word-format compatible word processor)
• Latest Java/JRE
• Latest Adobe Reader
• Latest QuickTime

Macs

• Access to high-speed (cable, DSL) network connection
• Processor: PowerPC G4 or Intel, Intel preferred
• Operating System: OS X 10.4.9, 10.6 or later preferred
• Memory: 2+ Gigabytes RAM Memory
• Hard drive: 120 Gigabyte, at least 20 gigabytes free
• Sound card and speakers
• USB Headset with microphone
• Monitor with 1024x728-pixel resolution or better
• Software – install latest versions unless otherwise specified
• Web Browser: Updated Firefox and Chrome are the preferred browsers. Internet Explorer lacks some functionality in Moodle.
• Microsoft Word or Word-format compatible word processor
• Latest Java/JRE
• Latest Adobe Reader
• Latest QuickTime

Suggested Items

The following are examples of products that will meet the hardware needs described above, you are not required to purchase these exact products.

• USB Headset: Logitech H330 USB Headset - $18.79 (price subject to change)
• USB Webcam: Logitech 720p Webcam C510 - $38.00 (price subject to change)

Suggested Hardware for a Windows/PC laptop

• AMD A-Series Processor 2.5Ghz or Intel duo core Processor(1MB Cache)
• 4GB SDRAM RAM
• 500GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
• 15.6-Inch Screen, AMD Radeon HD 6480G
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Google Docs & Hangouts

If your course is using Google Docs and Hangouts:

In order to take an online course using Google apps, you will need to have the following accounts and hardware. We recommend downloading Google Chrome as your preferred browser, especially when using Hangouts. Please make sure that you have these items
in working order before the first day of class. 

1. Gmail Account: This will give you access to Google Docs (which you will be using for all of your writing in this class, including journaling (daily), group papers (weekly) and your final project (potentially). If you already have a Gmail account, you can use that. This will also give you access to Google Hangouts, which we will use for our discussion sections as a class and smaller discussion groups.
2. Twitter Account, if required: We will occasionally ask you to use Twitter, especially for a quick response about a topic that we are talking about in class. We will give you more information about sharing with the entire class, but to start with, please start a Twitter
   account. If you already have a Twitter account, you can use that. 
3. Google Hangouts: This is an aspect of your Gmail account. You can invite people to join you in a Google Hangout, which is basically a video chat session. We will use Google Hangout daily for our discussions in the class. We will send more details when we know the locations/time zones of everyone in the class. Before the class starts, please try Google Hangouts with a friend or two.
4. Computer with headphone/mic and camera (preferably): If you use a newer PC or Mac Book, then these items may be built into your computer. If you do not, then you will need to have a computer that has (at least) a microphone and preferably a camera. You will certainly be able to participate with just a microphone, however. It is much better if you can attend Google Hangout sessions from a hardwired connection. WIFI (depending on the location) may struggle with the video feed.

If you have questions about hardware or software requirements, please contact the ITS Helpdesk at 404.471.5487.