Using Blackboard from Home
~ Requirements ~
General Computer Setup:
It is recommended that you access Blackboard with a broadband connection.
- DSL, cable modem, and KCC network are preferred.
- Satellite internet connections may cause connectivity issues with Blackboard.
- Dial-up modems may be too slow to access Blackboard efficiently.
- Your browser must allow cookies to be received.
- Your Popup Blocker must allow pop-ups to be seen.
- Java must be loaded.
- Flash/Shockwave player must be loaded.
- Quicktime and Windows Media players must be loaded.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader must be loaded (for reading PDF files).
Windows users -
- Windows XP and Vista operating systems are supported. Earlier versions are not.
- Internet Explorer version 7 is supported. Earlier versions or version 8 are not supported.
- Firefox browser version 2 is supported. Earlier versions or Version 3 are not supported.
- Other browsers are not proven to be fully compatible with Blackboard version 8.
Macintosh users -
- OSX operating systems, 10.2 and later are supported. OS 9 and earlier are not supported.
- There is no version of Internet Explorer browser that is currently available. (Previous versions are obsolete.)
- Apple Safari browser version 2 is compatible. Versions 3 and 4 may be compatible. Version 1 is doubtful.
- Firefox, versions 2 and 3 are both compatible. Version 1 is doubtful. NOTE: Although Firefox 3 is compatible on Macs, it is not compatible on PCs.
- Other browsers are not proven to be fully compatible with Blackboard version 8.
Test my home computer -
Click here to try the technology testing tool available from the Michigan Community College Virtual Learning Collaborative (MCCVLC). Scroll down the page and click on the button: "Detect My Technology Now". In a minute, you will see a column that lists computer setup needed for Blackboard and a column that lists what is loaded on your computer. If you find anything missing from your computer, you may need to download some updates.
E-mail account -
- E-mail program that is capable of sending and receiving attachments
- KCC provides to students e-mail that meet these requirements.
Word Processing software -
- Word processing software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Corel Word Perfect, WordPad). The software should be able to create and open RTF files (rich text format files).
