Many courses are offered in an online environment to accommodate the needs of adult learners. Online courses allow learners to continue their educational goals without the physical restrictions of a traditional classroom setting. Online course work is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Assignments have a specific deadline, but the learner determines his/her own study schedule.

There are many factors to consider before enrolling in an online course. Review our recommendations to determine if online learning is for you. Contact us if you have any other questions not covered here.

Is Online Learning for You?

• What is Online Learning?
• Strategies for Success
• Take the Learning Style Inventory to determine if your learning style is compatible with Online Learning
• Theory of Multiple Intelligences
• The Rogers Indicator of Mulitple Intelligences

Computer Skills - What do you need to know?

• How to turn on a computer
• How to use a mouse
  • Double Click
  • "Right" click
• Locate, open and close files
• How to use a word processor
  • Recommended skills include cutting, copying and pasting text from one document to another, working with two applications open at the same time, converting files to "rtf" (rich text format) by using the "Save As" command.
• How to use an E-mail account 
  • Upload and download"attachments"
• Download and Install software on your computer
• How to use the Internet
  • Conduct research
  • Have more than one browser window open at a time

Computer Equipment

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE ABSOLUTE BARE MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS.  If you are considering purchasing a computer, please visit the UCCS Computing Help Desk for Hardware and Software recommendations. Course software is accessible 24/7 from any computer anywhere.

MINIMUM System Requirements

• An Internet Service Provider (ISP).An ISP is a company that can provide you with the software necessary for getting onto the Internet. You will need Internet access to take your courses. 
• A WIRED (ETHERNET CABLE) BROADBAND Internet Connection (Cable/DSL/Satellite)
• A PERSONAL WINDOWS or INTEL-BASED MAC computer. To take full advantage of the interactivity of the courses, the following system profiles are REQUIRED:

Microsoft Windows
Windows Vista | Windows 7
2GB RAM or MORE
Sound Card & Speakers or Headphones
A webcam and headphones are recommended

MAC OS X (version 10.6 (Snow Leopard or newer)

Intel based MAC
2GB of RAM
Sound Card & Speakers or Headphones

BROWSER

• Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher
• Safari 4.0 or higher
• Firefox 6.0 or higher

BROWSER PLUG-INS

• Windows Media Player for Windows PC
  OR
• Windows SilverLight Browser Plug-in for Mac
• AdobeConnect

Adobe Reader 10.0 or higher

• Download and install the free Adobe Reader

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

• Headset Microphone
• WebCam and Headphones

Copyright 2002-2012 Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Last Updated: January 6, 2012
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