Academics

 

Technical Requirements

 

Below is a technical layout of what you will need, at a minimum, to use WebCT @ San Juan College.

Computer System

  • IBM/Intel Machine: Pentium 90 (Pentium IV suggested) with a minimum 32 Megabytes of memory (512 MB suggested), a minimum 2 Gigabyte hard-drive (80 GB suggested), monitor, a sound card, speakers, Windows OS (95, 98, 2000, NT 4.0), modem or DSL, DVD/CD-RW, USB 1.0, and PRINTER.
  • Apple Macintosh: Power-PC based machine with at least 32 Megabytes of memory, a minimum 2 Gigabyte hard-drive, monitor, speakers, Operating System 7.5 or better, modem, and PRINTER.
  • Software Programs Installed: A browser (Internet Explorer 6.0 suggested), Microsoft Office, other software depending on course guidelines.
Internet Setup
  • 28.8k minimum connection.
  • Unlimited Monthly Access: This is preferred so you have an unlimited amount of time to be successful in the course.
  • You should be able to access the following sites at a bare minimum: San Juan College | WebCT Official Site

Browser Setup (Download Internet Explorer 6)

Students and faculty can access the WebCT platform through a Web browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer. Most of the WebCT software you will use resides on a WebCT server (a central host computer). However, you will also use other applications that reside on your own computer, such as word processing or presentation programs.

Supported Browsers

Windows 98/Me/2000/NT/XP

  • Netscape 6.2.x, 7.0, 7.1

  • Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher and 6.0, excluding IE 5.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

  • AOL 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 - Note: AOL 7.0 does not function with Chat/Whiteboard

  • Mozilla 1.5, 1.6

Mac OS 9.x

  • Netscape 4.76 and 6.2.1

  • Internet Explorer 5.0

  • AOL 7.0 - Note: AOL 7.0 does not function with Chat/Whiteboard

Mac OS X 10.1

  • Netscape 4.76 and 6.2.1

  • Internet Explorer 5.1

  • AOL 7.0 - Note: AOL 7.0 does not function with Chat/Whiteboard

Note to AOL & Compuserve Users

  • If you use America Online (AOL) for Web access, you will need the AOL version 4.0 or higher client and the Internet Explorer 5.0 browser.

  • Do not use earlier versions of the AOL client with earlier versions of Internet Explorer as you will have difficulty accessing many WebCT features.

  • If you have an older version of the AOL client, you will need to connect through AOL, minimize the AOL client to maintain the connection, and use one of the required browsers outside of the AOL client.

  • There is a plugin (a simple software) for AOL users to avoid the timeout problem. Contact AOL for this plugin.

Adjust browser settings to enable Java and JavaScript

Browser

 

Instructions

Netscape Communicator (Navigator 4.05 and higher)

 

Select Edit/Preferences.

 

 

Select Advanced.

 

 

Make sure the Enable Jave and Enable JavaScript boxes are checked.

 

 

Click OK.

 

 

 

Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher

 

Select Tools/Internet Options.

 

 

Select the Advanced tab.

 

 

Locate Microsoft VM.

 

 

Make sure the Java console enabled and Java logging enabled boxes are checked

 

 

Click OK.

 

 

Restart your computer if you checked the Java console enabled box.

Set the cache to always reload a page

Browser

 

Instructions

Netscape Communicator (Navigator 4.05 and higher)

 

Select Edit/Prefrences.

 

 

Click the + sign next to Advanced to see more options.

 

 

Select Cache.

 

 

Select the Every Time radio button at the bottom.

 

 

Click OK.

 

 

 

Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher

 

Select Tools/Internet Options.

 

 

Select the General tab.

 

 

Select Settings from Temporary Internet Files area.

 

 

Select the "Every Visit to the Page" radio button.

 

 

Click OK.

Browser Tune-Up

If you are wondering if your browser has the requirements described above check out this link - http://www.webct.com/exchange/viewpage?name=exchange_browser_tuneup. This site will tell you what browser you have and then show you what you may still need.

WebCT Plug-Ins

From time to time a special software utility called a "plug-in" will be required in order to view some of the documents in WebCT.  This utility works with your browser.  Click here for more information on plug-ins.

Firewalls

Many coporations have firewalls to protect their computers. WebCT uses the 80 port which is allowed through most firewalls. However, the 2 synchronous tools (Chat & Whiteboard) each use their own seperate port, both of which are often barred by corporate firewalls.

Acceptable ways areound firewalls. 1) have your coporation's system administrator call SJC's WebCT Administrator (505)566-3309 and find out which ports Chat and Whiteboard are using; the system administrator may decide to allow these two ports through the company firewall, but it is not very likely. 2) If you are in a WebCT class that uses Chat or Whiteboard, you will probably have to do your class from a computer outside of your company's firewall.

If you are with a company that has a firewall and are taking a class that does not use Chat or Whiteboard, then you should have no problems.