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ASSISTANCE WITH INTERNET COURSES |
| There are a number
of things you will need in order to take Internet-based courses
through Coastline Community College. Look over the following list to
make sure that you have everything you need before starting class.
Below are the essential requirements for successfully completing an
internet based course:
Hardware || Software ||
E-mail || Internet Service Providers
Computer Access on Campus ||
Streaming Audio/Video ||
Other Technical Help
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HARDWARE
REQUIREMENTS |
While students
could complete most courses using slower/older computers, these
are the suggested minimum requirements:
PC
- Windows 95/98 or
NT or later
- 500Mhz Pentium
processor or equivalent (1Ghz or faster recommended)
- 8X CD-ROM Drive
or faster
- 128MB of RAM
(256MB recommended)
- 56kbps modem
(DSL or cable modem recommended)
- Sound card and
speakers
Mac OS 7.x or above
- Macintosh
PowerMac or faster
- 8X CD-ROM Drive
or faster
- 128MB of RAM
(256MB recommended)
- 56kbps modem
(DSL or cable modem recommended)
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SOFTWARE
REQUIREMENTS |
Since the Virtual
College uses state-of-the-art teaching techniques, students must
have basic software installed on their computer systems. All of
these programs are free and can be easily downloaded from
Coastline's Plugins/Download page.
- Browser Software: The first thing
you will need is an up-to-date web browser, i.e. Netscape 4.7
(Netscape Communicator 6.0 recommended), Microsoft Internet
Explorer 5.0 or comparable browser (or later). AOL browser
is not recommended. You'll only need one of these. These are
large programs and therefore will take a while to download, but
are free to do so. Note: While America Online
provides Internet access, some students with AOL have reported
problems accessing certain areas of the Distance Learning and
class sites; therefore direct access Internet accounts (such as
those available through Earthlink, SBC, Road Runner, etc.) are
preferable, though not required. Netscape and Internet Explorer
can be used with an AOL account, simply minimize the AOL browser
and open Netscape or Internet Explorer.
- Multimedia Software and Plug-Ins:
You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view PDF files for some
classes. A link to download this free reader can be found on
our Plugins page. You'll also need the
RealPlayer video player (RealPlayer One recommended ) in order to
hear or view audio or video that will be used in some
courses. Once you install it, it will automatically play any
sound or video that appears. When clicking on a video link, if
you see a video control panel (it looks similar to a VCR control
panel), then you already have RealAudio installed as a
plug-in for your browser. Click on the play button to make sure
everything works. If you don't see the Player, or you receive an
error message, then you need to download the RealPlayer from our
Plugins page. You may test your
computer with the Video Sample Link below. If it does not
load properly you need to install a RealPlayer. If it is
"jerky" or "sluggish" you may need to contact your Internet
Service Provider for faster connection options.
Video Sample Link
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E-MAIL ACCOUNTS |
| Every student needs an
e-mail account. You will not be able to use accounts belonging to
other students because of the confusion this causes. You must have
an e-mail address prior to starting the class as a number of issues
need to be communicated directly to you. Your e-mail address is
established when you sign up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
for your home computer. Check with your ISP if you do not know what
your e-mail address is. If you already have an e-mail account, you
may use this address for this online course.
You may also acquire a free e-mail
account from a variety of sources, if you need to, such as
Hotmail (http://www.hotmail.com)
or Yahoo (http://www.yahoo.com).
These free sites post ads on their services as a way of supporting
the services they provide. If you are accessing your course from a
library site, campus site or "borrowing a computer" for your course
this may be helpful to you.
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INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER
(ISP) |
| If you are planning on
working on your online course from home, you'll need to obtain
Internet access for your home computer through a commercial Internet
Service Provider (ISP). There are a variety of companies providing
this service for costs that typically range from $10-50/month
(depending on provider and type of service). Earthlink, AT&T,
Verizon, SBC and Road Runner are some examples.
Note: It's very important that you
sign up with a service provider as soon as possible. Set up time
may take as long as 2-3 weeks and you will need to have this
established, and tested, before the course gets underway. (Although,
in theory, with a credit card and properly working computer it
should only take an hour or so to establish your account. The
service provider will talk you through the steps over the
telephone.)
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COMPUTER ACCESS ON CAMPUS |
| If you do not have a
computer at home or at work:
You can use the Information Commons located at the Garden Grove
Center/1st Floor Room 103 to do your course work (Garden Grove Blvd.
& Euclid, in Garden Grove). You may use the headsets provided at
each PC computer station in order to listen to any course
audio/video examples without disturbing other lab users. For
locations and days and hours of operation, please check the
Maps section.
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STREAMING AUDIO & VIDEO |
| Some courses make use
of video or audio materials that may be viewed or listened to on
your local computer. The process of sending this audio-video file in
real-time is called "streaming". Streaming does NOT require you to
wait for the whole file to arrive, or to be stored on your local
hard-drive before you can view it. However, you do need a small
software program (called a plug-in) in order to watch or hear this
file. Of course you also need a multimedia capable computer with
speakers and a sound card installed. Usually you need at least a 56k
speed modem and a fast processor (at least 500Mhz) to watch the
video in real-time, otherwise it looks like a slow moving slide show
as the pictures are transferred over the Internet to your computer.
The streaming software program we use
is called "RealPlayer"
and it is free to students. To get RealPlayer you need to visit the
Real Networks software site and download the file (you will find a
link on Coastline's
Plugins page). The company does not charge for the basic player,
but they would like to sell you a better, enhanced version of the
player for a modest charge. The enhanced player is a good deal, and
it has extra features, but the free player will also work just fine
for viewing the video/audio files on the Coastline site (especially
if you are on a tight budget). The free "RealPlayer One" is
recommended for viewing the multimedia on the Distance Learning
sites.
Follow the directions when you go to
the site for the RealPlayer download. A small file will be
transferred to your computer, then you will need to expand (install)
the file on your computer to make it run properly. Be sure you make
a note of the folder/location that the file is being transferred to
so that after the download you may click on the file to activate the
player on your computer. Once the file self- installs it will pop-up
automatically every time you click on a Real Video file that is a
part of any Website. This includes lots of other sites besides
Coastline's that are using this streaming format. Since it is one of
the most popular streaming audio/video formats on the Internet, it
is well worth the effort to install the software for lots of media
clips you will find on the Web. These clips are usually accompanied
by the "Real Video" icon to indicate they are a viewable file. See
examples on our Web pages.
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OTHER TECHNICAL HELP |
If you have an
academic or course related problem such as:
- Grades
- Access to quizzes and/or tests
- Any course passwords
please contact the Distance
Learning Department at (714) 241-6216.
For technical ONLY questions, limited
technical referral is available at the
Tech Help Forum
or, Call (714) 241-6304. (Please note that these do not provide
immediate response, though you should receive a reply in 24-48
hours, longer on the weekends.)
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ASSISTANCE FROM DL STAFF |
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Actively enrolled students engaged in course activity may opt to
contact Distance Learning Staff directly. Course material
related questions should be directed first to the Instructor of
record for the course.
Distance Learning Staff are on hand
to answer any questions enrolled students may have regarding
Coastline servers, password access or other questions
regarding specific Coastline course websites. They can not
assist enrolled students with configuring computers or installing
software, as they are not trained to do so. For questions
regarding hardware or software configurations please refer to the
manufacturer or software provider.
For general questions regarding
Distance Learning, course procedure, technical problems, etc.
students should first consult the "Frequently
Asked Questions" (FAQ) page.
Enrolled students
may also post a question to the
Distance Learning Questions and Answers Board. Distance
Learning Staff will attempt to answer all questions posted to the
board within 48 hours. Students may also look at other student
questions to see if their question has already been answered.
If a student is unable to answer
their specific question through these means, they should consult the
Contacts page
for office hours and phone numbers.
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TUTORIALS |
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The Coastline Virtual
Library (http://library.coastline.edu/)
offers a few interactive and non-interactive tutorials for students
that are new to internet use, navigation, research and distance
learning.
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