Computer Hardware & Software Guidelines

College of Nursing and Health Professions

The Blackboard Learning System^TM is the web-based course management system in use at the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Blackboard makes it possible for faculty to deliver entire courses online or to supplement traditional on-campus classes with online content. The classes may be more convenient, but they are just as challenging.

Students in online courses need a high degree of self-motivation to compensate for the absence of a classroom and face-to-face faculty interaction. Instructors set specific deadlines for work throughout the term and class participation — including live virtual classroom meetings, threaded discussions, and regular email communication — is critical to success and is factored into a grade.

Students should be comfortable with basic computer skills, including:

• Sending and receiving email
• Researching topics via the Web
• Attaching, sending, and opening documents
• Participating in online chats
• Functioning in library databases

Computer Hardware

Please Note:

• Students in any NP or Clinical Trials Research track MUST USE A WINDOWS BASED COMPUTER. You must have access to Windows XP or Windows Vista 32-bit. Secure exam Remote Proctor devices are not compatible with Mac OS or Windows Vista 64-bit.
• The recommended specifications should be adequate for a student for 3 or 4 years of use without being upgraded
• If you are purchasing a new computer, use the Recommended Specs.
• If you are using an existing computer, they should meet the minimum requirements to provide you with an adequate experience. However, that machine may not remain suitable for years to come because software is always changing
• There are add-ons that might be beneficial to the incoming student, such as a DVD-RW Drive and Dual Monitors, but are not required

WIMBA Classroom

Windows Supported Browsers

Macintosh Supported Browsers

Your Blackboard course may use Wimba Classroom as a synchronous virtual class meeting room. Since some courses include mandatory virtual classroom sessions, you will need to plan your schedule around these “live” sessions. Instructors schedule the class meetings ahead of time for your convenience. Check with your instructor to see what the Wimba requirements are for your course. Prior to the first scheduled classroom session, please make sure your computer is set up properly and do not wait until the last minute to access your Wimba classroom. In addition, you will need to purchase a headset with microphone for these sessions.

Please read the CNHP guidelines, documentation, and best practices for using Wimba classroom.

Internet Connectivity

Students need access to a computer with Internet capability to connect to the Drexel online courses.

• Your Internet Service Provider browser may not be compatible with the online courseware provided by Drexel University. To test your existing browser's capability, go to the college's interactive browser test. The following plug-ins are required for use with our online programs: Adobe Reader, JavaScript, Macromedia Flash Player, Shockwave Player, QuickTime Player, RealOne Player, and Windows Media Player. All of these programs are available free of charge from the manufacturers.
• All students must activate their Drexel email account for use in our online courses. You can activate your email account with Drexel at http://accounts.drexel.edu once you have completed the registration process.

Computer Software

The following set of software packages is required:

• Microsoft Office is required. This software is available for no charge to all online students. To obtain a copy of the required software, go to our software download center, or you can write to customerservice@drexel.com or call 1-877-215-0009 (toll-free) or 215-895-0500.
• Anti-Virus Software:
  • Norton Anti-Virus software is required and is available free to all students.
  • You can download this from our software download center
• Internet Browser:
  • Internet Explorer 7 is recommended for viewing all online courses. Internet Explorer 8 has not yet been certified by Blackboard. If you have already downloaded and installed IE8, please follow these directions from Microsoft (click on Compatibility View on the left) on how to set your browser to Compatibility View, which will help correct some of the issues between IE8 and Blackboard. (Please Note: Google Chrome browser is not supported)
  • If you have Windows Vista with Internet Explorer 7 and run into problems, we recommend you use  Mozilla Firefox 3.x. as your browser.