Academics

• Distance Learning
  • Course Listing
  • Distance Learning Programs
  • FAQs
  • DL Coordinators
  • Registration
  • Student Resources
  • Quick Links
  • DL Tech. Requirements
  • Student Grievance and Appeals Procedure
• General Education
• College of Arts and Sciences
• School of Business and Economics
• School of Health Sciences
• School of Education and Human Performance
• Degree Programs
• Graduate and Professional Programs
• Honors Program
• International Programs
• Pre-College - Bridge Programs
• University College and Lifelong Learning
• Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning - CETL
• Catalogs

• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Parents & Family
• Alumni & Friends
• Visitors
• Faculty & Staff

The WSSU University strives to provide all students with the tools necessary to achieve their academic goals. With that in mind the Office of Distance Learning in conjunction with the Office of Academic Technologies have compiled a comprehensive listing of technology requirements, tools needed, and related links. We want to ensure that our distance learning students have the information necessary to learn in an environment that is as technologically stress free as possible.

Therefore, if you encounter problems and the information provided below does not provide a viable solution please refer to the following locations and units for assistance:

In addition to the basic technology requirements distance learners may need to purchase additional equipment,such as a headset with microphone or a webcam, some of which may be used in multiple classes. Other courses may require the purchase of special equipment, such as a lab kit or a visual recording device for upload of digital visual assignments. All prospective online course takers should review the course material requirements with the departmental instructor prior to enrolling in the course.


Blackboard 8 SP6

Microsoft® Windows® Operating System Recommendations

Apple® Mac OS® Operating System Recommendations

Blackboard 9.1 SP6

Microsoft® Windows® Operating System Recommendations

Apple® Mac OS® Operating System Recommendations

 

The following technologies are not supported in Blackboard 9.1 SP6:

• Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7
• Firefox 1.x, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5
• Safari 2.0, 3.x  (or any version on Windows)
• Mac OSX 10.4 "Tiger"
• Java 5

• Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 are tested in Standards Mode. Some known issues can be resolved by using Compatibility Mode (emulates IE7 behavior).

Web browsers

We suggest that you have more than one browser installed on your computer. If you experience an issue with Blackboard while using one browser, try using Blackboard in another browser.

• Mozilla Firefox (both PC and Mac).  If you are having problems viewing the latest version of Firefox, clear your cache. From the menu bar, select Tools. Select Options. Select the Privacy icon. Click the Cache tab. Click the Clear Cache Now button. Click OK.
• Microsoft Internet Explorer. This browser has reported errors. However, if you choose to use Internet Explorer, version 7 or 8 should be the most compatible. If you are using Internet Explorer 9, be sure to enable Compatibility View by clicking its icon on the right side of the address bar.
• If you are using a mobile device such as an iPad, iPhone, etc. to access Blackboard, you can use the Blackboard Mobile App (over a Wi-Fi connection).
• AOL Users. Blackboard does not support the AOL browser, so to access Blackboard you must use an alternate browser.

In order to view certain multimedia elements and documents on the Web, you need specific plugins. Your instructor will tell you exactly which plugins you need for your course. The most popular are QuickTime, RealPlayer, Flash, Shockwave, and Acrobat Reader, and they are all freely downloadable.

Java Script

JavaScript must be enabled. Java Runtime Environment must be enabled. Java™ Runtime Environment 5 (JRE™ 5) is no longer supported.  It may continue to work but Java 6 Update 13 or higher is the only supported JRE. Please make sure you have the latest version of Java SE. Link for download

Cookies

Blackboard requires that your browser allows cookies. Cookies are small text files that are stored in your computer and contain information from web sites, such as your preferences when visiting those sites. To enable cookies in Firefox: From the Tools menu, click Options. Click Privacy. Click the Cookies tab. Check the box next to Allow sites to set Cookies.

Pop-up Windows

You must allow pop-up windows in order to use all of Blackboard's features. To allow pop-up windows in Firefox: From the Tools menu, click Options. Select the Content panel. Uncheck Block pop-up windows.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Your ISP is the company that provides your Internet service, such as Comcast, AT&T, etc. It doesn't matter which ISP you use; just make sure it's reliable. If you use AOL, minimize it after launching, then open the Firefox browser to use Blackboard.

Modem speed

Blackboard works fine at 56k, but a cable modem or DSL is preferred in order to get the best experience with multimedia content.

Multimedia

You will need a high-speed CD-ROM drive (24x or better) or DVD-ROM drive with speakers. (If you have a Mac, your speakers are built in.)

Software & Built-in BB Tools

• Microsoft Office - It's always best to have a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, on your computer. This way, prior to submitting assignments, you can check your work for spelling and grammar errors before copying and pasting it into Blackboard (for example, into a Discussion Board forum). WSSU offers the Microsoft Office Suite of applications and McAfee Antivirus free of charge for each enrolled student. Any enrolled student can access the software via KBox .
• Elluminate – Instructor will provide the link to Elluminate class room.
• Please be aware that the digital drop box option will no longer be available as of BB 9.1 work can be submitted via the Assignment Feature of Blackboard. Learn how to use this feature and others at Blackboard Help.

Saving files

If your instructor requires you to submit specifically formatted documents either through the Assignments tool in Blackboard or via email, we recommend you submit a Word document (.doc) or a Rich Text Format (.rtf) file. By doing so, you are ensuring that your instructor will be able to open your assignment on her or his computer.

If you are using Blackboard with a Mac, be sure to add the extensions (.doc, .xls, .ppt) to the name of your files when sending an assignment to your instructor via the Assignments feature, attaching files to the Discussion Board, and/or attaching files to email messages.