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Computer System Requirements for Online Learning |
Most computers are equipped with the hardware and all the necessary requirements for online learning. Therefore, there are some certain computer programming, business and accounting programs, which require special software programs. As a rule students are informed of them as soon as they begin taking their classes. It should be noted that online educational establishments try to keep costs down as much as possible, they also want their students have success while using the equipment they have. In case if a student has a computer already, he / she should apply to the checklist of items, which are necessary to have for an online education. It may also be possible that someone will have to purchase more memory of to upgrade their Microsoft Office software in order to be able to take classes, but otherwise, they should better already have everything they may need. The great majority of online colleges use the Microsoft platform rather than Mac, which may become quite a problem for some potential students. This is why they should check with all the admissions before they decide to enroll in any online educational program. So, here is the computer system checklist, provided below. Software Requirements • Anti – virus software; • Microsoft Excel; • Microsoft PowerPoint; • Web browser Minimum Hardware Requirements • 256 MB RAM; • 20 GB Hard Drive; • Cable modem/DSL; • CD – ROM Drive; • Sound Card; It is also greatly advisable for every online student to have a printer, a valid e – mail address and an access to Internet. In addition, the monitor is also to be at least 1024x768 resolution to make the images able to be seen clearly anytime. It is possible that students may be asked to view some documents, which have been scanned into their computer during the online program. And these images may need to be blown up in order to see them accurately. As for the monitors, they are to be able to handle these images. All online classes depend on computer – generated images, this is why it is important to have a monitor, speakers, video and sound cards, with the help of which it will be possible to complete many classes. It is not unusual that instructors send over audio lectures and visual worksheets, which may further emphasize a point or be used in some other assignment. All these recommended requirements are based on what other online students have used in the past while receiving their online education. And although it may be possible that students may be able to get away without having a printer, it is strongly recommended that the computer has the correct amount of memory storage, because since all the classes are taught online, there will be quite a lot of written correspondence in the form of assignments, spreadsheets, tests and worksheets. And all this usually takes up a lot of memory. Besides, having a computer, which is equipped with a CD burner in order to store all the information, will also be an asset to the majority of students, who decide to receive their education online. |