Are you ready? Technically Speaking!

You are about to embark on an online training - welcome! Let's check your technical set up to ensure your success.

Browser Requirements
Viewing Online Documents
Viewing Multimedia
Pop-ups & JavaScript
Other Technical Requirements
Your Technology Readiness

Browser Requirements

Install Firefox

Install Chrome

If you already have Firefox or Chrome installed, make sure you update the browser to the latest version for best results. It is not recommended you use Internet Explorer.

Learn more about the browser requirements of Canvas in the Canvas Guides.

Viewing Online Documents

Open this MS Word Document document to test to verify if you are able to open Microsoft Word documents. Download Microsoft Word Viewer if you are unable to open the Test Word file. This link will take you to the free download page for Microsoft Word Viewer.

Open this Adobe PDF Document to verify if you are able to open PDF Files. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader if you are unable to open the Test PDF file.

Viewing Multimedia

Click on this video link to see if you can see and hear this YouTube video. If you are unable to view the video, download and install Flash Player and/or view the information about accepted browsers. If you can, enjoy a chuckle at what I am sure you can relate to! Vimeo videos are linked in this training. The Vimeo player is not accessible. If you require an accessible version, open the link in a new tab directly in Vimeo or use the associated transcript.

Pop-ups & JavaScript

Open the Popup Windows test to see if you are able to open popup windows. If your popups are turned off, you will see a window open with the MCCCD homepage. If you do not see the MCCCD homepage, use the Popup Blocker Instructions to turn them off within the online environment.

Use the JavaScript test to see if your JavaScript is enabled in your browser. Follow the instructions provided to enable it if it is off.

Other Technical Requirements

Consistent and convenient access to a computer with a Pentium chip or higher, such as a PC running Windows 2000 or XP, an iMac or PowerMac running OS 9 or higher.
Reliable Internet connection.
Your computer is equipped with a sound card with headphones or speakers and a microphone.
Your computer is capable of at least 800 x 600 resolution.
Your Internet connection speed is at least 56K or higher. DSL or Cable recommended.
You have one of the following Web browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and/or Chrome.
You have virus protection software such as McAfee or Norton.
You have these installed: QuickTime player, RealPlayer, or Media Player.

Your Technology Readiness

Online learning demands prior technology experience. To help you gauge your readiness for online learning please consider your ability to accomplish the following tasks as they are inherent in online learning:

Working with files, such as creating, saving, locating, and printing documents
Logging on to the internet and navigating to different web sites, find specific web addresses, and search using search engines
Using most of the tools in the web browser, such as navigating to the next or previous web page, refreshing your web browser page, printing a web page, or bookmarking web pages.
Using a search engine, identifying and downloading appropriate files, and installing new browser software.
Resolving common error messages while surfing the Internet, such as Connection Timed Out and Page Not Found.
Email skills, such as logging in and out of an account, sending and receiving mail, and attaching and downloading files.
Basic troubleshooting, such as rebooting the computer in case of a crash and resolving printer errors.

While the CTL is more than happy to assist with technical issues and help when possible, online workshops assume a certain level of technical competence.

Campus Support and Help

Support and resources are available. If you do not have the required technical components, it is recommended you plan your time to come to campus and use a college computer in the CTL or office. Please plan your time accordingly so you can access a computer with the required technology to complete the training.

If you need help contact the PC CTL at lmshelp@phoenixcollege.edu. If you need help with Canvas while going through the training, click the Help icon from the left side toolbar to find information about Canvas through the Canvas Guides. You can also search the Canvas Guides for everything Canvas: Canvas Getting Started Instructor Guide.