Software Requirements for Taking the Virtual Academy

In addition to hardware requirements, there are software requirements for participating in the Virtual Academy. These requirements are fairly nominal. The basic software requirement for both online instructors and online students is that they have a web browser that is compliant with WebCT, the course delivery software adopted by CCBC. 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.

Browser Requirements for WebCT:

Supported Browsers: for Windows

• Netscape 6.2.x, 7.0,7.1
• Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0
• AOL 7.0, 8.0, 9.0
• Mozilla 1.5, 1.6

Supported Browsers: for Mac

• Netscape 6.2.x(OS 9.x and OSX, 7.0,7.1(OSX)
• Internet Explorer 5.1 (OS 9.x and OS 10.1)
• Internet Explorer 5.2 (OS X10.1, 10.2, 10.3)
• AOL OS X
• Mozilla 1.5, 1.6
• Safari 1.2

 

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

• Go to your WebCT homepage
• From the menu bar (top right) click check browser
• If you do not have a WebCT compliant browser, download a supported version of either Internet Explorer or Netscape from Netscape's or Microsoft's web site.
• If you are using a CCBC computer, you should contact the Computing Help Center to have a WebCT compliant browser installed on your college computer.

Note to AOL Users: If you are using America Online for your Internet access, you might have problems with built - in browser for WebCT. AOL's browser is customized for the AOL network and may conflict with some portions of WebCT. If you experience problems with your AOL browser, we recommend that you download and install a stand - alone - browser. Please refer to the information above concerning the Netscape and Internet Explorer stand-alone browsers. For more information on the AOL situation, go to WebCT's Browser Tune Up page.

To use the stand-alone browser instead of AOL's built-in browser:

• Download and install the browser.
• Connect as usual with AOL.
• Open the browser you installed without disconnecting from AOL.
• Access the URL of your on - line course.

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 5.0 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.

Updated: December 19, 2006