Visitor Pages > Online Readiness > Technical Requirements
Technical requirements for online courses will be added under the "Classes and Schedules" section. Meanwhile, please contact your course instructor directly to ask about technical requirements, such as internet connection, operating system, e-mail, hardware, and software for the course(s) you are taking.
General requirements for a typical online course at WSCC are listed below. Before enrolling you should check with the instructor for any additional requirements for a specific course.
*All computer systems must have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
Internet Service Provider
If you do not have access already at home or work, make arrangements for an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Services vary among ISP's, so consider the cost, time you will spend online, accessibility, speed, ease of set up and components of the provider's basic service. Also, make sure that the provider includes SLIP or PPP services as part of their Internet package; this is required for full Internet access with graphics capabilities.
Internet Access Options
Dial-up Modems use traditional phone lines to provide Internet access. You must gain access through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The connection speed depends on the quality of the phone lines and the speed of the modem. The fastest modems are 56K modems. For dial-up service you will need a modem and phone service.
DSL and Cable provide high-bandwidth (approximately 25 times faster than a 56k Dial-up Modem), and an always-on connection to the Internet. Both DSL and Cable provide Internet connections.
A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) provides Internet access via special phone lines. The ISP is usually a telephone company. The connection speed depends on the type of DSL service you have (in order from slowest to fastest: IDSL, ADSL, SDSL). For DSL service you will need a DSL modem connected to an Ethernet network interface card (NIC) in your computer.
Cable Internet access is provided via cable television wiring. The ISP is usually a cable television company. Connection speeds may be faster than DSL but your cable line is shared with others and the speed could vary depending on the number of users. For Cable service you will need a Cable modem connected to an Ethernet network interface card (NIC) in your computer.
E-Mail
You MUST have an active WSCC e-mail account to take online courses. The instructions for accessing your online course, including the course web site address, username, and password will only be e-mailed to your WSCC e-mail account. If you do not currently have a WSCC email account, please visit following address:
https://www.mis.wscc.edu/help/wonderdesk.cgi?do=cust_login&username=help&password=help
Checking your wscc.edu E-mail account from home is now easier than ever. In response to your requests, we have launched Washington State's new web-based E-mail service.
To use this new service, go to the WSCC homepage http://www.wscc.edu, click on Related Links, then select Washington State Web-based E-mail Service. Follow the directions to set up the security certificate for this service. Once you have completed this step, you may log on using your WSCC E-mail account and password to begin checking your mail. This service is available either on- or off-campus.
Clicking on the 'help' button will give you information for whatever area of the system you're working in. Please explore all of the features of this new service.
PC Minimum configuration:
PC Recommended configuration:
Macintosh Minimum configuration:
Macintosh Recommended configuration:
What do we mean by the terms minimal and recommended?
Minimal - You can anticipate participating adequately in most online courses. However, you will undoubtedly require an equipment upgrade if you decide to enroll in one of the more technically sophisticated online courses or programs.
Recommended - You can expect to participate comfortably in most online courses. However, your equipment may need to be upgraded if you decide to enroll in one of the more technically sophisticated online courses or programs.
These are general guidelines only. The rapidly evolving nature of technology prevents us from assuring any potential online student of an absolute technical match with a desired course or program. Be sure to consult with us periodically for more specific course information. For example, in some courses, you will need microphone and speakers.
Graphical Web Browser
E-mail Client Program
Word Processing
Word processing is a necessity in virtually any college course today. Online students should be prepared to save word processed files as plain (ASCII) text files, to use their programs' copy & paste functions to post their work into e-mail messages and discussion messages, and to attach word processing files to e-mail. Microsoft Word 2000 or above is required. Recommended software includes:
Other
Some courses may require other software programs in addition to those named here. See the course Web pages or consult with the course instructor about additional software requirements before registering for an online learning course.
Avenues for Communication
Course guidelines and materials are presented over the WWW and require a frames and java capable browser such as Netscape 4.7 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or 5.5. Please note that not all browsers are fully compatible with our course software (ex: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, Netscape 6.0, AOL). If you experience problems with your course you
may need to experiment with different browsers.
You may also need various plug-ins to view audio, video and animations. [more]
Virus Protection
Quality virus protection software is required. This software is especially critical if you are accessing coursework from a computer on a network that is not protected by regularly updated virus-protection software. Virus protection software provides computer systems protection against potentially damaging computer viruses. New viruses appear on a frequent basis; keep your virus protection software current by installing upgrades as they become available. You may download AVG Anti-Virus and Microsoft's Anti-Spyware tool from the links below.
AVG Anti-Virus Software (download the free version): www.grisoft.com
AVG Free Edition is the well-known anti-virus protection tool. AVG Free is available free-of-charge to home users for the life of the product! Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high-level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers.
Microsoft's new (free) Anti-Spyware software: www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
* No one software protects your computer from all viruses and spyware!
The third-party products/plug-ins that are discussed on this site are manufactured by companies that are independent of Washington State Community College. Washington State Community College makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Your Internet service provider can give you a recommendation on the software that may work best for you, or do a web search on computer virus software for a list of virus protection products. [more]
*Reprinted with permission of University of Central Florida, UCF Learning Online Web site: http://learn.ucf.edu/1courses/1technical.html