This is where the asynchronous nature of online learning is a real advantage, too. If John writes something that is borderline offensive on Thursday evening, Kelly can wait until Friday to see whether others have noticed and diplomatically said something. If not, she can then respond with a cooler head.
Chapter 3
The Equipment and Skills You Need to Succeed
IN THIS CHAPTER
When it comes to technology tools and taking online courses, two components are essential to being successful: equipment and technological competencies.
Your equipment includes things like your actual computer and attached devices that help you interact online, such as your webcam, headset, and microphone. Equipment also includes the programs and applications that you use to surf the Internet, write documents, and perform other digital tasks.
Technological competencies refers to the basic skills you need when learning online.
Don’t let these words scare you. Knowing what is expected up front helps you be more successful later. We explain in this chapter what you need for online learning success.
Checking Your Technological Readiness
The first thing you need in order to take an online course is a reliable computer that meets the minimum standards of your course or program. Most new computers meet many institutions’ minimum standards for hardware and software out of the box. For programs and courses that require you to meet in real time over the Internet, you may also be asked to have a speaker, a microphone, and, sometimes, a webcam. Few programs require a camera, but having one can contribute to feeling more connected to your instructor and peers when meeting in real time. Additionally, more technical courses, such as those focusing on video creation, may require you to purchase more specific hardware and software. And, of course, you need a dependable connection to the Internet.
In the following sections, we explain what you need to meet minimum hardware and software requirements for most online classes, and we describe the importance of a fast, reliable Internet connection. With the rise of mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, we would be remiss not to also talk about the use, pros, and cons of these devices for learning online.
Meeting minimum hardware requirements
Each online course has minimum hardware requirements. These standards are determined by the technology used to deliver course content. Courses using a lot of audio and video materials require better hardware than those relying solely on text-based materials.
Most institutions have a web page where they display the minimum and recommended hardware requirements. If, after a few minutes of searching, you’re unable to find the computer requirements page on an institution’s or organization’s website, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call them to ask. A good program also provides a list of minimum requirements and a list of additional hardware and software you might encounter when learning from them. Otherwise, once you start a course, your instructor will provide you with a list of any additional requirements that go above and beyond the organization’s advertised list.
Table 3-1 shows an example of what you might see on an institution’s computer requirements page. The columns note different types of hardware and the requirements for both PCs and Macs. Most computers two years old or newer meet these requirements.
TABLE 3-1 An Example of Hardware Requirements
| Hardware | PCs — Windows | Macs | Chromebook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | 2 or more GHz | Dual-core Intel i5 or better | Intel Core m3 processor or better |
| RAM (random access memory) | 4–8GB | 4–8GB | 4–8GB |
| Hard drive | 256GB | 256GB | 32GB minimum |
| Monitor resolution | 1024 x 768 | 1024 x 768 | 1024 x 768 |
| Speakers | Sound card with headphones or external speakers | Sound card with headphones or external speakers | Sound card with headphones or external speakers |
| Microphone | Required in order to attend instructors’ virtual office hours; a headset with microphone is highly recommended. | Required in order to attend instructors’ virtual office hours; a headset with microphone is highly recommended. | Required in order to attend instructors’ virtual office hours; a headset with microphone is highly recommended. |
| Webcam (optional) | 720p | 720p | 720p |
As we introduce different hardware components in the following sections, keep in mind that this information is simply an overview. Each operating system uses its own navigation method to find information, so as we talk about whether your computer meets certain requirements, you may need to reference your computer’s manual or an additional resource to help you determine how to locate needed information. We suggest looking into other For Dummies books specific to your computer — you can peruse available titles at www.dummies.com/store.html.
