Blackboard: Suggested Requirements

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• Knowlege and Abilities
• Skill Requirements
• Configuring Your Web Browser
• Company Firewalls

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Knowlege and Abilities

You should be able to:

• • Know which applications are currently running on your computer, and how to quickly switch among open applications, saving, printing, and trouble shooting.
  • Learn the basics of new software programs by exploration and trial and error, as well as with tutorials and manuals.
  • Identify and locate files folders/directories and applications.
  • Understand the meanings of such terms as: "Save" and "Save as…".
  • Understand the differences among, and different uses of, files, folders and applications.
  • Nimbly navigate hierarchies of files and folders with an understanding of the "desktop" and other metaphors that computer operating systems use.

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Skill Requirements

You should be able to:

• • Install new software applications.
  • Use basic word processing, e-mail, and Web browsing applications.
  • Download and decompress files.
  • Change the format of a file using "Save As…"
  • Use an application to generate a new file, saving it with a descriptive filename, in a file format of your choice, and in a directory/folder where you can easily find it.
  • Rename directories/folders and move files between directories/folders to other disks and drives.
  • Copy and paste text between different applications such as an email address from a browser to an email message.
  • Backup/save your work to a separate hard drive, removable disk (Zip, floppy, etc.), or other media.

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Configuring Your Web Browser

Browser Cache Settings
The browser cache (pronounced "cash") is where your computer stores information about every web site you visit. When you return to a page you've already visited, your computer first reads its local memory to access the web page instead of going out to the server where the document is stored.

Obviously, this can cause some problems when you're looking at a site repeatedly as you will with your Blackboard course. Changes made to the pages won't show up if your browser is looking at old information.

Set your system default to clear the cache on every hit, or as frequently as possible. Make sure the cache is cleared if you’re running into problems getting updated information. The process varies with systems; check your documentation for specific instructions.

JavaScript Settings
Blackboard relies heavily on JavaScript to perform many of it's primary functions.

Most web browsers are already configured to enable the use of JavaScript, so it should not be necessary to adjust your settings unless you have intentionally disabled JavaScript, or are experiencing problems with Blackboard.

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Company Firewalls

Are you accessing the web and Blackboard from your office? If so, you may run into problems with your company's network security system. If you have persistent difficulty getting into the course, contact your IT staff and discuss the issue with them. You'll need to work out the difficulties with your network staff, as we have no control over such variables, nor do we have any idea what particular piece of the security system might be causing the problem.

The best advice, of course, is to clear your plans with your IT staff before starting the process. Temporary "test access" to a course can be arranged for registered students. Do this by contacting your instructor and making your request at least 2 weeks before the start date of your course.

 

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