For Current Students > Online Course Delivery Computer Requirements
Government Studies utilizes the Blackboard eClass web-based learning system which launches in a web browser.
Tested for 100% compliance:
Supported platforms:
- MS Windows 2000, ME, XP, and Vista
- Apple OS X
Government Studies utilizes the Blackboard Vista e-learning system (not to be confused with Windows Vista) to deliver all its distance courses. Some users may also have to install new software and/or modify their computer configurations in order to enjoy the full functionality of the Blackboard Vista system. We therefore recommend that students have at least moderate computer literacy as well as confidence that they can if they wish adjust their computing systems for improved functionality in Blackboard Vista.
To access our courses, students require an Internet connection, a modern computer and several pieces of software. While Government Studies offers advice and extensive support on all technical matters, students are ultimately responsible for an adequate computer setup. Although our courses can be taken through slow dial-in connections, high-speed Internet is definitely preferable. Access to a printer is recommended and may be necessary in a few courses.
If you plan to use your work-based computer and/or Internet connection for one of our courses, please ensure that your have your organization’s permission to utilize its computer resources, relax its firewall requirements and install new software as recommended. Please note that some organizations will not permit the use of some software recommended for Vista and/or the optional multimedia components of some courses. The Java 2 RE (Runtime Environment) is the most frequent example of disallowed or severely restricted software. Some organizations may also be unwilling to create exceptions to their firewalls, such as permitting the use of ports 443 and 2304 both utilized by Blackboard Vista.
If your workplace is unable to support an adequate level of functionality in Blackboard Vista, we suggest making alternate arrangements. One solution is to acquire a modern home-based computer with no restrictions on software installations and a home-based Internet account. Public computers such as those found in libraries and Internet cafes are not recommended, as they are unlikely to be adequately configured for Blackboard Vista.
Written assignment files such as essays must be saved in Microsoft Word formats .doc format. If you do not have access to a word processing application that can save in this format, you may need to purchase one. Government Studies can help you obtain significantly discounted academic pricing. Please email software@govsource.net for details. Free and open source products such as Google Docs and Open Office have not been extensively tested in our environment and may not support all the MS Word features utilized by our instructors.
Your computer should be equipped with a recommended version Java Runtime Environment software, available free on the internet. In some cases, users may have to remove an existing version of Java and install a supported version in order to obtain recommended levels of functionality.
You’ll need at least one recommended web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and so forth. All recommended browsers are available free via the Internet. Your browser should be Java enabled, JavaScript enabled, accept cookies and have pop-up blockers turned off while using Blackboard Vista. In order to view portable document files (PDF), Windows users will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader and browser plug-ins, version 6 or higher. Mac users can open PDF files with the Preview application included with OS X and can use alternate browser plug-ins such as Schubert-IT if they do not have Acrobat Reader.
If you have any questions about these requirements, please email our technical support team at techsupport@govstudies.ca.
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