Required Computer Equipment and Skills

To successfully complete MCC's distance learning courses, you will need some basic computer skills. You also need access to computer equipment. Skills that you probably need to have — or be willing to learn quickly — are listed below. You will also find the minimum hardware requirements needed to take these classes.

Additional skills and requirements might vary by instructor.

Minimum Computer Skills

• Start up a computer
• Find and run software programs.
• Organize, copy, paste, name and rename data files.
• Operate a word processor, and save and organize the resulting documents.
• Cut and paste information from one document to another, and from one program to another.
• Access and browse the World Wide Web.
• Send and receive e-mail, and attach data files to an e-mail.
• Save attached files from an e-mail.
• Download and save data files from a website.
• Download and install computer software.
• Navigate and post to a Web-based course bulletin board.

Minimum Technical and Software Requirements

• Computer: A PC running Windows 2000 or XP, or Mac with system 9.2 or 10. Computers with multimedia capabilities are preferred. MCC's library computers are suitable for most distance learning classes.
• Internet Access: You will need to have an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP). There are numerous companies that offer Internet access. DSL or Broadband connections are recommended.
• An e-mail account: You must have a personal e-mail account registered in your name. You may not use an e-mail account that is shared by family or friends to conduct your distance learning correspondence. Many instructors require students to use an MCC e-mail account. Your MCC e-mail account will be registered in your name and is suitable for distance learning correspondence. MCC e-mail is free--to create an account: https://www.mc.maricopa.edu/apps/mymcc/CreateAccount.jsp .
• Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, Netscape 7.2 or higher, Mozilla 1.7 or higher, Firefox 1.5 or higher, or AOL 9 or higher. Particular browser requirements might vary by instructor.
• Plugins: You will need the current versions of the following plugins; Adobe Acrobat reader, Shockwave WIN or MAC or Flash WIN or MAC, and a media player (Windows Media or Quicktime). You may download free upgrades from each highlighted link.

• Word Processor: Microsoft Word 6.0 or higher. (If using a word processor other than MS Word, students must be able to convert files to MS Word format. Instructors may not accept MS Works, OpenOffice, StarOffice, WordPerfect, and other formats).

Continue to Module Four