Technology Requirements

Operating System

Operating System Memory (RAM) CPU
Windows 10 4gb or higher, 8gb recommended PC: 2.33GHz AMD® -or- Intel® Core™ Duo 1.83 GHz or better
Mac® OS® X 10.7.5+ 4gb or higher, 8gb recommended Mac: Intel Duo 1.33 GH or better
iOS 4gb or higher, 8gb recommended iOS / iPadOS 15.4+
Android 4gb or higher, 8gb recommended Android 12+

 

Supported Devices

  • PC and MAC® laptops and desktops
  • Chromebook
  • iPad
  • Android tablet
  • Surface tablet

Each online course will work best when your student accesses lessons and assignments through acceptable devices. These include desktop and laptop computers running the most current Windows and iOS operating systems, a keyboard, and a mouse. Smartphones can be used but are not recommended for long-term use.

Lightweight devices such as Apple iPads, Google Chromebooks, and tablets have limited support for Java and programming-based content. Therefore, these devices are not recommended for the following courses:

  1. AP Computer Science A
  2. Engineering and Product Development
  3. Graphic Design
  4. Introduction to Java Programming
  5. JavaScript Game Design
  6. Keyboarding
  7. Principles of Architecture
  8. Python Multiplayer Adventure
  9. Scratch Coding
PLEASE NOTE:
  • Chromebooks and mobile devices may limit access to certain features.
  • Students will need access to a printer and means to digitally submit a file.
  • Smartphones and smart watch devices are not suitable devices to access courses.

 

Internet Connection

We recommend that you have a minimum of a 25mbps internet speed connection with at least 2Mb/s per simultaneous student connection. Anything lower than this will greatly reduce the performance of your courses.

Extra Requirements

  • webcam
  • device with speakers, microphone, and/or headset with microphone
  • Microsoft Office or similar word processor
  • keyboard
  • mouse
  • removable media (such as a thumb drive or memory stick)
  • printer

 

Supported Browsers

Each online course will work best when your student accesses lessons and assignments through acceptable browsers. Mozilla Firefox®, Google Chrome®, and Apple® Safari are recommended browsers.

Supported Browsers Version
Chrome (latest release)
Firefox (latest release)
Safari (latest release)


Safari settings on iPads should be configured as follows:

  • Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security → Block All Cookies: MUST BE OFF
  • Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security → Prevent Cross-Site Tracking: MUST BE OFF

 

Other Program Downloads and Hardware/Software

Some courses require downloads of software programs specific to completing assignments.

  • Arts Explorations requires the free download of Funny Photo Maker
  • Basic Web Design, JavaScript, and JavaScript Game Design require:
    • HTML Text Editor (choose one): TextEdit, Notepad, or Text
    • Image editing software (choose one): Pixlr, GIMP
    • Webhosting and basic in-browser FTP: Neocities
  • Digital Media students will need a printer, camera, scanner (optional), and one of the following: Audacity, GIMP, Inkscape, DaVinci Resolve, Pencil2D, Blender, GDevelop
  • Digital Photography students will need: digital camera (tripod, lenses, lights optional), paper, scissors, glue, and access to photo manipulation software
  • Explorations in Arts Careers will need:
    • digital camera (camera phone, DSLR, or other camera-enabled device)
    • video camera (camera phone, DSLR, or other camera-enabled device)
    • video software (iMovie or other video editing software)
  • Graphic Design students will need one of: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, or Pixlr
  • Introduction to Java Programming students will need: HTML Text Editor and Eclipse
  • Photojournalism requires a digital camera (tripod, lenses, lights optional)
  • Principles of Architecture requires AutoCAD software (free download arranged by the teacher)
  • Python Multiplayer Adventure requires Python Version 3