This information comes from both the Florida Gulf Coast University and the Colorado Community College Online. Students are invited to review whether or not online education fits their needs and whether they have the basic basic requirements in terms of hardware, software, and computer skills, before they choose to take an on-line course.

You can easily access the "Is Online Learning for Me?" inventory
http://www.ccconline.org/pub/isitforme.real  .

You can easily access the skills test
http://itech.fgcu.edu/question.html  

and get an idea of the kinds of activities and the skills required in order to successfully communicate with your instructors and your fellow students.

In order to function effectively in on-line courses, all students will be expected to use certain basic computer applications:  e-mail, an Internet browser, the Ozuna online library catalogue and loan request, and word processing.  Some courses also will require the use of course-specific software.  

Hardware Requirements 
  

Any PAC student will find it beneficial to own a home computer, a modem, and to subscribe to an internet connection through an internet service provider.  

For internet-based courses it is highly recommended that you only enroll if you own a home computer and are set up with internet service.  

For a home computer, it is recommended that you have the following minimum configuration:  Windows 95/Mac OS 7.x, 16 MB RAM (32 preferred), 28.8 KB Modem (36 preferred), and a color monitor (SVGA preferred).  

Internet-based (WWW) courses: Course materials are  made available and accessed through the internet. Courses designed in this way usually involve reading assignments, written papers and assignments that can be submitted electronically, email communications, and online discussions.   

Software Requirements  

You will find it important to be able to use Netscape Navigator 3X, Communicator 4X, or Microsoft Exchange 3.x; to enter a URL to locate a Website; to use a search engine; to use email to send an attached file; to log-on to message boards and chatrooms; and to subscribe to a listserv.  Eudora and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Powerpoint) are used in conjunction with almost all courses and additional software may be required for some courses.   

Required  User Skills  

It is  expected that each student will take some personal responsibility for developing the skills necessary to use the basic computing applications.  

You may assess your current computer technooogy tool skills by completing a self-assessment tool locate on the WWW at:   
http://itech.fgcu.edu/question.html  

If you are not familiar with using email or the Internet, it is highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with these tools prior to the first day of your classes.   

You can download an interactive Internet simulation for Mac and Windows at:  

http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/publications/firnsim/  

Links to many Internet tutorials and on line help resources can be accessed from  

http://boards.excite.com/go.webx?13@-d^223113@.ee6c199  

You may also access on-line tutorials of the Netscape Internet Browser at:   

http://home.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/3.0/handbook/  

http://home.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/4.0/handbook/  

http://www.augsburg.edu/library/aib/netscape.html/  

In addition, you may make an appointiment for personalized training by calling 921-5049. Use the Forum below and E-Mail to make an appointment to get started. .  

Students without home computers may use the open labs and mega labs on campus or in public libraries or on other campuses in San Antonio. Please note that these computers should support email communications, internet access, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Powerpoint).   

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This page was created on June 14,1998 and was last updated on August 19. 1998. The Logo was designed by Ray Phillips and Ellen Shull.