getting started

Technical Guidelines

Because SOCRATES Online instruction and curriculum is delivered via a web-based course management system, most students will be able to access their courses using any computer that has a reasonably current Internet browser.

Students are expected to be competent at using the Internet including downloading and uploading files.  A valid email address is necessary for student/teacher communication, and students are expected to be able to access their e-mail account and send and receive email attachments.

In addition, some courses may require that students be able to use word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.

INTERNET BROWSER

Moodle, the course management system in use by SOCRATES Online, seems to work best in the Firefox browser.

You can download the current version of Firefox for free from www.firefox.com.

Apple’s Safari browser is not recommended because it has compatibility issues with Moodle.

For some courses you may need to view PDF or Flash files. Your browser probably already has plugins installed to handle these formats. If not, you can download free software from Adobe to view them:

Adobe Reader (for reading PDF files)
http://get.adobe.com/reader

Adobe Flash Player
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer

HARDWARE

You can access SOCRATES Online courses from any computer that is able to run a modern browser, but at a minimum you'll want

Operating System: Windows: 2000, XP, or Vista; Macintosh: OS 9.1 or OS X

Processor:  Windows: Pentium 233 or higher; Macintosh: Power PC G3 or higher

Memory: 128 MB minimum; 256 MB or greater recommended

Internet connection: 56 Kbps modem minimum; broadband—DSL or cable—recommended

A sound card and speakers: Up-to-date sound card and speakers are recommended.  Using a headset with microphone is the best way of attending a class session that requires sound if you are in a public setting.


Individual teachers may have additional requirements, depending on the content of the course. If you are unsure if your computer setup is adequate, contact the instructor of the course you wish to take before registering.

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