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Technical Requirements
Michigan Tech Online Learning uses Blackboard Learning Management System to manage your course content, and various delivery technologies to let you hear/view the lectures. To ensure that you will be able to successfully access the course content, check that your computer meets the hardware and software requirements listed below and view the sample video stream.
Michigan Tech Email
How to use Michigan Tech email
Blackboard Learning Management Sysytem (formerly WebCT)
After you register for a course, you will be assigned a university email address, user name, and password that will allow you access to all course materials (lectures notes, homework assignments, grade information, streaming video files, email chat, etc.) posted on Blackboard. You can use any browser to get to Blackboard.
- Log onto Blackboard
- Information about Blackboard
Streaming Media (RealPlayer)
Many course lectures are currently delivered in the Real streaming video format. Free player applications for viewing the streams are available for all major computer operating systems: you will need to have either the RealOne (v9) player or RealPlayer 10 or later installed on your computer.
To test your computer for proper configuration click on the link below. Your machine should connect and play the sample lecture with the RealPlayer application.
Click here for sample RealPlayer video file.
iTunes U
Michigan Tech is an iTunes U member university. MTU on iTunes U is a free service hosted by Apple that distributes, educational audio and video content for students at Michigan Tech using the Apple's iTunes Store infrastructure. Users can download, or subscribe to course content and listen to or view it on their computer, iPod, or other MP3 player. To use this service you must have the free iTunes software installed on you Mac or PC computer.
Click here to download iTunes.
Mediasite
Some online courses are delivered with Sonic Foundry's Mediasite rich-media delivery system. The systems allows for the synchronous streaming delivery of audio, video, and computer image sources to the viewers computer on demand.
Live videoconferencing and Adobe Connect
Videoconferencing technology may also be used in some courses to provide live interaction between students and faculty. Adobe Connect is an Internet collaboration solution for virtual and emeetings.
You are also required to have a high-speed internet connection (cable modem/DSL).
Minimum computer system requirements
| CPU | A modern computer manufactured within 4 to 5 years of your
start date should be adequate. Contact techonline@mtu.edu with questions. |
| RAM | 256 MB or more recommended |
| Operating System | Windows XP or Vista recommended Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later |
| Internet | Cable Modem, DSL, LAN |
| Hard Disk Space | 4 Gb or greater |
| Sound Card | Sound card and speakers |
| Monitor and Video Card | 800 by 600 or higher screen size |
| Web Browser (free) | Windows: Internet Explorer 6 or higher download Firefox download |
| Mac: Safari download Firefox download |
|
| Real Media (free) | RealOne Player (v9) or RealPlayer 10 or higher download  |
| Mediasite (free) | PC/Windows: Windows
Media Player (series 9 or higher) download
If using Firefox, the Silverlight® plugin or the Windows Media Player Plug-in are required. Mac: Viewing mediasite presentations on a Mac requires the Silverlight® plugin from MicroSoft. If your system does not already have this plug in installed you will be prompted to download it. Linux: FIrefox and the Moonlight plugin are required. |
| Acrobat Reader (free) | Version 6.0 or higher download |
Also:
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Get the latest version of all these free browser plug-in applications and check your browser for Blackboard compatibility at http://www.webct.com/tuneup/viewpage?name=tuneup_browser_tuneup_information |
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Michigan Tech Online Learning |