Technology Requirements for Online Learning

In order to be successful in your courses, you will need access to the following:

Desktop Browser

check your system compatibility

Browser Issues

• Many of the problems people report are related to Internet browsers, not D2L. If you are experiencing technical problems, consider your browser first.
• We recommend using Chrome or Firefox. We hear the most complaints from students using Safari (Mac) or Edge (PC).
• Switch to a different browser. Regardless of the browser you use, one first step when having problems is to try switching to a different browser.
• New Incognito Window. Try opening a new incognito window since that avoids the cache. If that works it means the cache needs to be cleared.
• Clear your cache. Browser-specific steps are detailed here. 

Tablet and Mobile Support

CHECK YOUR SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY

Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor Usage at Westmoreland

Courses offered at Westmoreland may use the online testing software Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor. The technology required for these solutions is a computer or laptop (see operating system below), and a web camera.

Respondus LockDown Browser

LockDown Browser uses its own browser for taking quizzes in D2L. This software prevents students from printing, copying, going to another URL, or accessing other applications during a test. If a test requires Respondus LockDown Browser, a standard web browser will not be used to take the test. 

Respondus Monitor is a fully automated proctoring and student solution that allows students to take online quizzes and exams. Students use a webcam to record themselves during an exam. In addition, Respondus Monitor is used at Westmoreland as a student identification verification system. View a video to see how it works

A note to students using personal computers for testing:

Westmoreland County Community College and your instructor permits you to use Respondus Monitor at an off-campus location, providing you agree to select a location that meets any and all college guidelines. If the location you choose is a home or personal environment, you agree to allow your activity and surrounding workspace to be recorded by video and audio and then analyzed by the Respondus Monitor system.

A message to students from Respondus:

‘LockDown Browser has been distributed for over 13 years and is used to take over 100 million online exams annually. It is widely implemented at more than 2,000 universities, hundreds of school districts, and thousands of certification and testing centers. There has never been a situation where Respondus has distributed a version of LockDown Browser that had a virus/malware attached to it. The security of these applications have been vetted by hundreds of institutions, including annual checks by third-party security companies. Any executable that requires a user to install it to their computer will be rated as a high threat in terms of virus/malware security. Anti-virus applications may flag executables for this reason alone (depending on settings chosen by the user).’

*Computers and web cameras are provided at the Youngwood campus and Education Centers for students who may not have the technology readily available. For more information, please contact the%20Westmoreland%20Information%20Center.

Operating Systems

• Windows: 10 *, 8, 7. 
  • Includes x86 32 and 64bit processors and ARM 64bit processors using x86 emulation.

• Mac: macOS 10.12 to 11.1
• iOS: 11.0+ (iPad only). Must have a compatible LMS integration

* Windows 10S is not a compatible operating system, nor can LockDown Browser be obtained via the Windows App Store. At present, support for Windows 10 S Mode isn’t on the roadmap for LockDown Browser.

* iOS: 11.0+ (iPad only). Must have a compatible LMS integration. The LockDown Browser iPad app is not compatible with Sakai LMS servers. All Sakai users will need to use a computer with a compatible operating system.

*Chromebooks are in the Beta-testing phases for D2L. Westmoreland is not participating in this testing program.

 LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor may continue to run in older operating systems that have reached “end-of-life” but students may encounter unexpected results.

Respondus Products Accessibility Information

Please contact Distance Learning at DLsupportFREEWESTMORELAND

Zoom

System Requirements

• An internet connection – broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)
• Speakers and a microphone – built-in or USB plug-in or wireless Bluetooth
• A webcam or HD webcam - built-in or USB plug-in
• Or, a HD cam or HD camcorder with video capture card

Supported Operating Systems

• Mac OS X with MacOS 10.7 or later
• MacOS 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) with limited functionality (Zoom version 3.6)
• Windows 10
• Windows 8 or 8.1
• Windows 7
• Windows Vista with SP1 or later
• Windows XP with SP3 or later
• Ubuntu 12.04 or higher
• Mint 17.1 or higher
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.4 or higher
• Oracle Linux 6.4 or higher
• CentOS 6.4 or higher
• Fedora 21 or higher
• OpenSUSE 13.2 or higher
• ArchLinux (64-bit only)

Supported Tablet and Mobile Devices

• Surface PRO 2 running Win 8.1
• Surface PRO 3 running Win 10
• iOS and Android devices
• Blackberry devices

Supported Browsers

• Windows: IE7+,  Firefox,  Chrome,  Safari5+
• Mac: Safari5+,  Firefox,  Chrome
• Linux: Firefox, Chrome