Computer Technical Information
All WAOL and PCOL courses require that you have regular and ready access to the Internet. It is highly recommended that you use a "broadband" connection that is "always connected" and provides faster data downloads for today's larger files. Open labs at the Pierce College campuses and most public libraries can substitute, if convenient.
An e-mail address and the software to read, create and send messages will be mandatory. You can use the free Web-based e-mail system that Pierce College creates for every student which would be the best idea since the College uses this to send official communications to students (please read more at the SOS). Generally, your Internet Service Provider offers an account when they start your service and numerous other free Web-based services are available, like Yahoo and Hotmail.
Courses require only Web browser software and common freely downloaded "plugins" for multimedia materials. The browser software provides access to the "Virtual Classroom." There are some issues with use of the latest Internet Explorer 7.x and proprietary browsers from online services like AOL. Visit the WAOL "Get Started" site where an array of useful resources are provided to get your computer's browser working with Blackboard - the system that manages the virtual classrooms.
To complete assignments and prepare papers, etc., students should have access to and be familiar with the operation of common word processing, spreadsheet and presentation programs. On occassion, faculty will deliver course materials created with Microsoft Office products and you will be expected to open them, provide answers and return them via the online classroom or e-mail. Most computers come with a suite of applications like this and you should check with instructors to be sure they can view files you create and send to them.
Most any current computer or laptop capable of running current Windows (XP, Vista) or Mac (OS X) platforms will meet the computer hardware requirements. Before registering, be sure to visit the web site at http://www.waol.org/getstarted/requirements.asp to make sure you meet the current hardware specifications.
