General Information

To successfully complete online classes at West Hills College, end users must have consistent and convenient access to a computer with the following Blackboard Learn 9.1 -compatible operating system and browser configuration. 

Supported Operating Systems and Web Browser Configurations

The supported operating systems and browsers for use with the Blackboard
Learn are available by clicking here. 

Blackboard Learn is a Web-based application and other browsers and operating system may work well, however, the configurations on the link above are the only configurations that are tested and supported by Blackboard. All configurations marked as Compatible have undergone a limited engineering analysis to test areas of the Blackboard Learn that may have browser issues.  Computers at all WHCCD colleges and centers are configured with certified supported operating systems and web browser configurations.

Links to Browser Downloads (certified browsers only)

Microsoft Internet Explorer

• Microsoft® Internet Explorer 8

Mozilla® Firefox Web Browser

• Firefox 3.6 with the Windows Media Video Firefox plug-in
  If using Windows XP, we recommend using Internet Explorer 8, or if you prefer Firefox, either use a previous version of Firefox, or before updating your Web Browser to Firefox 3.6, we recommend you first check to make sure you have the most recent version of Java installed on your computer.  More information about Java is below.   The noted probems with updating to Firefox 3.6 can be found by clicking reading the article on Java's website.

Apple® Safari® Web Browser (certified only on Mac)

• Safari

Compatible and Ceritified Computer Specifications

Personal Computers (PCs)

Windows® XP, Vista, or Windows 7 Operating System with compatible RAM and processor

500 MB or greater free hard disk space

Browser Downloads (see above)

Windows Media Player or Real Player

Macintosh Computers

Mac® OS System 10.5 or higher with compatible RAM and processor

500 MB or greater of free hard disk space

Browser Downloads (see above)

Flip for Mac for use with the Quicktime Media Player or Real Player 

All systems

• High speed Internet connection (recommended) OR minimum 56 kbps modem
• Color monitor 256 colors / 1024 x 768 resolution (800 x 600 minimum)
• Java Plug-in
  • Windows users can download the software by clicking here .
  • Macintosh users can verify their installation by going to the Java FAQs page.

           Test if Java is working on your computer:

                     Click here

Additional Suggested Software

Students must check with their online instructors for specific software requirements for each online class.

• Many instructors use the Respondus Lockdown Browser when they administer tests and quizzes.  This is a special browser that you must install on your computer in order to take a test in Blackboard if your instructor has decided to use it.  More information  (Contractual obligations prohibit us from providing the free download link for this browser except behind a password protected site such as Blackboard.  Our online students will be able to access this download link from their personal Blackboard sites).
  

• Adobe Acrobat Reader may be necessary to open certain document types from your instructor.
• Microsoft Office Word is recommended. Microsoft Office products (such as Word) can be purchased for a discounted price through the California Community College Foundation. 
  • If you do not have Word and cannot purchase it at this time, Open Office is available for free and will allow you to open Microsoft Office documents without purchasing the software.
  • Also, your new My Student Email powered by Microsoft's Live@EDU (available in My West Hills) has the Microsoft Office Word Web App available for free.  This allows you to view and create Word documents within your web browser. 
• PowerPoint viewer can be downloaded from Microsoft's Website for free. 
  • If you have a Macintosh, Open Office for Mac OS X is a free solution allowing you to open Office documents without having to purchase the software.
    NOTE:  You do  not need to download Powerpoint Viewer if you have PowerPoint or Office 2008 for Mac installed on your computer. If using Powerpoint 2003, get the Compatibility Pack for Powerpoint 2007 (and other Office 2007 Programs) by downloading it from Microsoft's Website.
  • Also, your new My Student Email powered by Microsoft's Live@EDU (available in My West Hills) has the Microsoft Office Powerpoint Web App available for free. This allows you to view and create Powerpoint presentations within your web browser.
• You will need a Media Player that supports videos, audio, and other multimedia used by your instructor in their course.
  • PCs - Windows Media Player 10 or higher
  • PCs or Macs - QuickTime or RealPlayer
• Macintosh users will need the Quicktime Media Player with the plug-in Flip for Mac in order to view the Windows Media Video (.wmv) and other file types used by many instructors in the online classes.  If using a Macintosh, please make sure you understand the media extensions supported by the various Macintosh OS.  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3526 is a knowledgebase article with links to various plug-ins you might need depending upon the media type.

Communication

Students using Blackboard must use their West Hills College student email account.  Contact the Help Desk if you need help accessing your student email account.  Help Desk contact information can be found at the bottom of the page.

Please note, this is a minimum configuration!

As with all computer applications, the higher the technology of your equipment, the better and faster the processing. Please check with the instructor for your online class for any other hardware/software requirements specific to the course.  Always be prepared for your online class BEFORE it begins to make your online learning experience the best it can possibly be!

What if AOL is my Internet service provider?

Unfortunately, AOL is not fully compatible with Blackboard, the WHC online e-learning software. While some students have had successful online learning experiences while subscribing lto AOL, it is strongly recommended that you use another provider for your Internet access for your online course.  If you must use AOL, please be sure to open Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator and use either of those two browsers to login to the West Hills College Blackboard e-learning environment.  Do not login to Blackboard directly from AOL.

Problems with Vista and Blackboard:

There are known compatibility problems with Blackboard and student PCs that use a combination of Vista and Internet Explorer 7.  It is recommended that Vista users download and use the Firefox Browser.  The Mozilla Firefox browser download link is above.

Helpdesk

Questions should be directed to the toll-free Help Desk, 800.266.1114 x2002 or email at helpdesk@whccd.edu.