Computer Literacy

Distance Learning is recommended for students with the computer experience and skills to complete the following tasks:

• send/receive e-mails with attachments
• conduct Web searches
• download information from Web to desktop
• recognize and use hyperlinks
• find, download, and install utilities and plug-ins
• do basic word processing, including cut & Paste operations from/to multiple sources
• navigate between multiple applications without closing and reopening individual windows (multitasking)
• scan for and remove computer viruses

Successful completion of ITE 119* (Information Literacy) is strongly recommended prior to taking an online course.

*Students may "test out" of ITE 119 by taking appropriate "credit by exam" options.  Please contact the Tutoring and Learning Centers for specifics.

Hardware/Software Requirements

Instructors teaching and students taking a distance learning course at PVCC should meet the following minimum technical requirements:

• Windows 2000, XP, or Vista; MacOS X 10.2 - 10.5
• PC with Pentium 2 Processor or higher (Pentium 3 or higher recommended), or Macintosh G3 or higher
• Monitor with screen resolution of 800x600 (1024x768 or better recommended)
• 256 MB RAM (memory) or greater
• 1 GB free hard drive space minimum
• An active Internet connection (dial up is NOT recommended)
• Updated virus scanning software
• A Web browser with JavaScript and cookies enabled.
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7 or 8 (7+ recommended)
  • Firefox 2 or 3.0
  • Safari 2 or 3
  
  
• Microsoft Word or another word processing application capable of saving files in Rich Text Format (Google Docs can be accessed by VCCS students)
• Use of VCCS supplied student e-mail account

Students should immediately review the course syllabus for specific technical requirements set by the instructor. For example, some courses may require students to have a CD or DVD drive/player or other courses may require that students have a DSL or faster Internet connection.

The PVCC Open Computer Lab (Room 832) is available for all PVCC Students.

NOTE: If you have a subscription to America Online (AOL) and use the AOL browser you may get an error message or have problems using Blackboard. Please use the AOL browser to log in to and connect to the Internet. Minimize the AOL browser and open Internet Explorer.