Technology Checklist
for Distance Learning Students

There are basic computing and Internet access specifications that you will need in order to successfully participate in distance learning courses at Sul Ross State University. 

Resident students and students living in the area are provided with campus-based Internet access and several computer labs (ACR 104, ACR 106, and Library Second Floor). Students residing outside the area are expected to have access to a computer and secure their own Internet service provider.

If your course is using Blackboard you will need:

• You need a computer with multimedia capabilities (i.e., sound ), a monitor capable of at least 800 x 600 resolution, a modem or Internet connection, and an Internet Browser in order to access Blackboard.

• Access to the Internet via an Internet Service Provider with at least a 56 Kbps connection. (We recommend the use of a cable modem or DSL if possible.) 

• A web browser - preferably Mozilla’s Firefox 3.0 or higher, Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher, or Apple’s Safari 3.0 or higher. There have been several reported Blackboard problems with the newest versions of all of these browsers so it is suggested that the user have more than one on their system to switch between. Other web browsers are not supported or recommended.

• Software programs or other plug-ins required by your instructor. (For example, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Media Player, Flash Player, and the PowerPoint viewer.) Check with your instructor to see what software programs and plug-ins are necessary for the class. You may download these plug-ins and find other instructional material off of our Information Technology page at http://www.sulross.edu/oit/ OR on the “Help & Resources” area located on the menu in every Blackboard course.

Other Information:

• All computer-related questions should be referred to your computer's manufacturer. 

• All Internet connection questions should be referred to your Internet Service Provider. 

• Other browsers, such as AOL or Opera, may function but are not officially supported by Blackboard. You may use AOL as your ISP, but you will then need to open one of the required browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari). To do so, dial into the Internet with your AOL account. Then minimize the AOL browser window and open required browser. 

If you are using Microsoft Works, this software may pose a compatibility problem if your professor and classmates are using Microsoft Word to create, edit, and view documents. If you are using MS Works, save the document as either a MS Word Document 97-2003 or as an .rtf or .txt (If you do save as .txt you will lose the document's formatting, but it can still be viewed.)

If you are using Microsoft Word 2007, you currently have compatibility with all Blackboard functions (such as Safe Assignment). Even with this said, a good rule of thumb is to save your document out as an MS Word 97-2003 document which is also compatible with all Blackboard functions and, more importantly, viewable by those instructors who may not have MS Word 2007 yet.