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Technical Requirements for Participating in PSU Online Courses
What is WebCT?
WebCT is an online course management system used by PSU to provide instructional support via the Internet. Instructors may use WebCT to implement various functions such as delivering online course materials, providing online communication tools, assessing student performance and/or managing student's course grades and activities.
What computer and software do I need to use WebCT?
- Your Computer
- PC: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP
- Macintosh: Operating system 7.5 or better
- A modem or other device capable of connecting to the Internet at a speed of at least 56 Kbps (or better highly recommended). We strongly recommend a high speed connection if possible.
- For Streaming Media Courses
- A High-speed Internet Connection (DSL, Cable, or similar)
- A sound card and speakers
- RealPlayer 10 (Free version)
- QuickTime 7
- Adobe Flash Player 9
- Other Software
- An email account
- Word processing software
- Some classes may have specific requirements for additional software. These requirements will be listed in the course syllabus.
Web Browsers Supported in WebCT 4.1
The following table shows the browsers that are supported in WebCT 4.1, the latest WebCT version in use by Portland State:
Windows
|
Browsers
|
Validated Browsers |
Unsupported
Browsers
|
|
| Internet Explorer |
5.0, 5.5, 6.0 |
4.0, 5.5 SP1 | |
| Netscape Navigator | 6.2x, 7.0, 7.1 | 4.7x to 4.8, 6.0, 6.1 | |
| AOL | 7.0, 8.0 | 3.0 and earlier | |
| Mozilla | 1.5 | ||
Macintosh
| Internet Explorer |
5.1 (OS9.x & OS X 10.1) & 5.2 (OS X 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) |
||
| Netscape Navigator | 6.2x (OS 9.x and, 7.0, 7.1 | 4.7x to 4.8, 6.0, 6.1 | |
| AOL | OS X | ||
| Mozilla | 1.5 (OS X) |
If you do not know what browser you are using and need to set up your browser for WebCT, visit the WebCT browser tune-up site (this is not a PSU site). It will have all of the information you will need to make your browser ready for WebCT. Tip: Remember that Portland State University is using WebCT 4.1
Notes on Unsupported Browsers
- Opera and Safari are not supported for use with WebCT.
- Internet Explorer 5.5 has a bug in Service Pack 1. The problem: when downloading a file the browser window is saved as an HTML file instead of the intended download file. (A Service Pack is a group of files that get downloaded from Microsoft and installed on your computer.) Download the newest Internet Explorer Browser from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp
- Netscape 4.78 and 4.79 are not supported due to an apparent bug in the JavaScript engine. Also, earlier versions of Netscape are not compatible with the new WebCT web site. Netscape 4.x users are advised to download the newest version of Netscape (available at http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp).
- Netscape 6.0 and 6.1 are not supported because of significant problems caused by issues in the Netscape browser code.
- AOL
Versions 7.0, 8.0, 3.0 and earlier are not supported with WebCT.
Here are the steps for those with an earlier version of AOL
- Connect to the Internet using AOL version 4.0 or higher
- Open a private chat within AOL, which allows the AOL client to remain open without asking if you wish to disconnect while minimized
- Minimize AOL
- Launch a supported browser and use that one to access WebCT
How do I configure my computer to use WebCT?
The three most important things to set within your browser for using WebCT are to enable Java, enable Javascript and accept cookies, at least for the WebCT site. The steps listed below may vary for your particular situation since there are various versions of supported browsers on both Macintosh and Windows computers.
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