- Are you connected to the Internet?
- Do you know how to use email?
- Are you using Netscape or Internet Explorer?
If you can answer these questions easily, you may want to go directly to hardware and software requirements, otherwise read on.
Using WebCT does not require any specialist skills.
WebCT is, however, an Internet tool and contains some concepts that apply to online learning.
If you are not an Internet user, you may find it takes a little while to adjust to the constantly changing environment of the Internet, and the frustrations that are often associated with new technology.
Your first pre-requisite then is to learn as much as you can about browsing the Internet. A good source of information is the magazines at the local newsagent. However, the best thing to do is to get connected and start surfing the net (browsing the vast pool of information available on the Internet). This will provide the skills necessary to begin using WebCT.
Hardware and Software requirements
Because WebCT is based on the World Wide Web, you will need to have access to a computer and the hardware and software resources needed to access the World Wide Web. Suggestions for each are listed below:
Computer
- the computer must be robust enough to run one of the recent web browsers and download files in a reasonable amount of time. For personal computers, we recommend at least a 486 personal computer (or its equivalent Apple or Unix machine) with at least eight Mbytes of RAM.
Web Access
- you will need to be able to reach the World Wide Web, either through a network at your place of business or through a modem connection from home. The modem should be at least 28.8 bps. If you can, use an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that has a local access number so that you can avoid long distance charges.
Web Browser
- the browser that you use is important. WebCT requires a browser that is both Java and Javascript enabled. This option needs to be set in your browser. For best results in WebCT, use Netscape 3.0, 4.0 or Internet Explorer 4.0. Early versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape have problems with JAVA.
- If you don't have Netscape or Internet Explorer, you can download the latest versions from:
- Specific information about Netscape technical issues can be found at http://help.netscape.com/kb/client
- Set the Browser to Enable Java Script.
Netscape 3 - Go to Options > Network Preferences. Choose the Languages tab. Click on both boxes to enable Java and Javascript. Click on OK.
Netscape Communicator (Navigator 4) - Go to Edit > Preferences. Choose Advanced. Click on the Enable Java and Enable Javascript boxes. Click on OK.
Internet Explorer 4 - Go to Tools > Internet Options. Choose the Advanced tab. From the long list of options find Java VM and from there enable the Java compiler.
Screen Settings
WebCT has many tools and this will often cause the screen to look crowded. To avoid this :
- change the font display size in your browser
- turn off or hide the browser menu and toolbars
- put the mouse over the frame border and move the frames to one side
It should not be necessary to change the screen resolution of your computer.