Computer Technology Readiness for Online Courses - LEGs/Schools COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY READINESS FOR WVS ONLINE COURSES Whether working on a computer at school, home, or another location, you want to be sure it is ready to handle most anything that may come up in an online course. Online courses make use of a wide variety of features and technologies such as: Java, Flash, HTML5, CSS2/3, and depending on the course, other specialized components that help achieve a more immersive learning experience. Due to the wide array of technologies in our over 100 courses, there are some limitations to browsers and devices that are supported. At present, our course providers test and verify a wide variety of devices and have ongoing programs to migrate away from any technologies that are not compliant with newer mobile platforms. In general however, lightweight devices such as Google Chromebooks or Nooks that have very limited technology support for Java or Flash, will not be compatible with the majority of our courses. Supported Browsers: You may use recent versions of the following browsers on a technology capable device that supports Java, Flash, and improvements to HTML including HTML5. ● Mozilla Firefox – If using Firefox as a browser and students are reporting that content will not load, audio files or pictures are missing on assessments, and assessments are blank, it may be due to a known issue of displaying mixed content in the Firefox browser. Firefox has developed an add-on that allows for mixed content to display. Work with your local IT support to install this add-on below as needed: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/toggle-mixed-active-content/?src=ss Once installed, a small toolbar will appear in the bottom of your web browser. Make sure the little “A” icon is set to RED to allow all content to display. Here is a visual screencast of the add-on working to display the mixed content: http://www.screencast.com/t/av8EE5RjR Also, in Firefox, you can’t see the toggle button (A) if private browsing is turned on. If the button (A) doesn’t appear: Go to Tools/Options/Privacy…uncheck “Always use Privacy mode” ● Chrome – If students are using Chrome as a browser and assessments are loading blank or audio files are not appearing, it could be due to mixed content displaying. If Chrome detects that there is mixed content, it will display a shield icon in the address bar. You can choose to override the alert by clicking load anyway and Chrome will refresh the page and load the content. This permission needs to be given on each page an alert is given for. If you give permission to load anyway, the URL in the address bar will also show that the page is not fully secure. Also, if you don’t ask to show mixed content before opening an assessment and then try to open the assessment by clicking on the shield, the student will be kicked out of the assessment and the assessment will indicate it has already been submitted/completed. For more information you can visit: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1342714?hl=en Here is a short screencast for a visual: http://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cI6eDPVJw6 Please note that in April of 2014 if you updated to version 34 of Chrome the chrome grey shield is not working and to view content you will need to: ● Option 1: Use Firefox and use the instructions above for the add on- ● Option 2: To continue using Chrome, use an older version of Chrome lower than v34m http://www.oldapps.com/google_chrome.php ● Option3: OR install the Beta version of Chrome (Chrome Canary). which cane binstalled side-by- side with the current v34. https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/canary.html ● Safari – also has similar pop-ups asking if it is okay to display content, run script, and you must say okay. ● IE8 or 9 – NOTE: although BrainHoney supports Internet Explorer 8 and 9, it does so through running in IE7 compatibility mode. Therefore, newer features provided by versions 8 and 9 are not available to course content. In addition, Internet Explorer has similar pop-ups asking if it is okay to display content, run script, and you must say okay. Supported Browser Plug-ins and Settings White list these URLs for 2014-15: The following plug-ins and settings are required: ● www.wisconsinvirtualschool.org ● JavaScript enabled ● [email protected] ● Pop ups allowed ● [email protected] ● Cookies enabled ● http://wen.geniussis.com/PublicWelcome.aspx?id=87 ● Flash 7 or higher installed ● wen.geniussis.com ● Java 7 or higher installed ● smtp.voonami.com ● Adobe Shockwave Player ● mail.agilix.com ● Adobe Flash Player ● https://lti.flvsgl.com/tool.php and https://lti.flvsgl.com ● Adobe Acrobat Reader ● http://app.middleburyinteractive.com ● http://cms.accelerate-ed.com Is your web browser up to date? Click on this link: What is My Browser to take a look at the details of the browser you are using and also to determine if Java is enabled and installed; cookies are enabled; and Flash is installed. After using the “What is My Browser” link, take the necessary steps to prepare your computer. For technical issues requiring a download of software or update of a browser, start with your IT department, tech support at your school, or Internet provider. Examples of technical issues: course access, course not loading completely (browser issue or filter issue), email issues, plug-ins needed, updated browser version needed, etc. ● Download Sun Java ● Download Sun Java 3D ● Download Adobe Flash Player ● Download Adobe Shockwave Player ● Download Adobe Acrobat Reader Other considerations: ● Broadband internet connection is required for individual use. The school-wide minimum internet connection is 20 mbps while 50-100mbps is recommended, depending on the number of students. Online course performance will vary based on implementation and internal networking infrastructure. ● 2.33GHz or faster x86-compatible processor ● 2 GB RAM ● Display setting 1280x1024 resolution or above; lower resolutions may require scrolling. ● 128MB Graphics Memory & Sound card ● Slow internet connection will slow down content loading. ● There are updates to browsers all the time that can cause issues with display of content and how it was developed that are out of our control. WVS notifies schools through the Local Education Guide (LEG) or coach at the school as we become aware of issues and potential solutions. WVS also posts latest technical requirements and support strategies on our website at: http://www.wisconsinvirtualschool.org/contact/. ● Recommend that each student use the same/device computer if at all possible. Remember to Log off Completely: It is important that students completely log out of both Genius, the Student Information System and BrainHoney, the Learning Management System. If a student does not log off completely, it can cause errors in connectivity or being kicked off sporadically. The immediate solution is to clear the cache. The connection eventually clears but clearing the cache fixes it faster. The long-term solution is to have the student log out of Genius and BrainHoney with the logout button. This is especially important when multiple students may be utilizing the same technology. For information on how to clear your cache visit: http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser's-Cache Student Orientation Course All WVS students should be enrolled in the WVS Student Orientation Course at no cost to the school district. Please enroll them when you register them for other courses (or before). It is listed in the drop down course list. This is a good way to see if the student has received their login credentials and welcome email from teachers and is able to log in. The orientation course also answers many student start up questions such as how to submit an assignment, how to navigate BrainHoney, how to contact their teacher, etc. Curriculum Review: WVS can also provide curriculum review access for local IT to test the technology students will use with actual course content prior to student enrollment. WVS Help Desk We have always relied on our school district partners to assist on the front end with student technology issues. IT/computer support is provided at the district level and local IT staff is encouraged to check our website to see if there are any known issues as part of that troubleshooting process. We will keep the site up to date with any updates from the content providers related to browsers, connectivity, plug-ins, pop-up blockers etc. http://www.wisconsinvirtualschool.org/contact/ LEGs/Mentors/Coaches: Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance on enrollments, policies, procedures or other questions regarding the WVS program at [email protected] or 715-453-1953. We are available weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (non-holidays). 9/8/14 Published by Google Drive – Report Abuse – Updated automatically every 5 minutes.