Online Course Plug-Ins

Region 4 is overflowing with ways for you to learn. Within an online course you can find PowerPoint, Spreadsheets, Flash, Videos, and Podcasts.  This page contains links to plug-ins you will need to access most resources located within an online class.

Browsers:

There are several browsers that are supported by Blackboard. All of them are free to download, and try. Here are some of the more popular browsers.

• Firefox
  • A multi platform web browser
  • Supported on Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Internet Explorer
  • The default Web Browser for Windows computer.
  • No longer available for Mac users
• Safari
  • The default browser for Mac users.
  • Not recommended for Windows
• Opera 
  • Supported on Win, Mac, and Linux

Documents:

Some instructors will post PowerPoint, documents, pdf, spreadsheets, etc. These plug-ins and programs will allow you to view these files

• Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Used to open and read .pdf files
• Open Office
  • This is a free office productivity suite, think Microsoft Office but free
• Word Viewer (PC users only)
  • Even if you do not have a word processing program, this plug-in lets you open and read almost all the possible word processing document formats available, including the new Word 2007 for Windows and 2008 Word for Mac
• PowerPoint Viewer (PC users only)
  • Even if you do not have PowerPoint, this plug-in lets you open and read PowerPoint, including the new PowerPoint 2007 for Windows and 2008 PowerPoint for Mac
• Excel Viewer (PC users only)
  • Even if you do not have Excel, this plug-in lets you open and read PowerPoint, including the new Excel 2007 for Windows and 2008 Excel for Mac

Attention Mac users: As of 6/08 Microsoft does not offer a free Word, PowerPoint or Excel viewer. You can download Open Office or NeoOffice at no cost. These are open source office suit programs.

Multimedia:

Most distance education course make use of multimedia. You need to make sure your browser has the appropriate plug-ins so you can see all there is to see. Warning, some of these media plug-ins will ask if you want to install the free Google taskbar. Please do not install this taskbar. The pop up blocker raises havoc with most online courses.

• Adobe Flash Player
• Apple Quick Time
• Apples iTunes
  • If your instructor uses podcasts, iTunes then this is the easiest way to subscribe and listen to these
• Java
• Microsoft Media Player
  • Use the drop down menu to select the plug-in that you want
  • You are looking for the plug-in that matches the web browser you are using
• Microsoft Silverlight
  • This is an alternative to Flash
  • Can be used on Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari
• RealPlayer
  • You are looking for the free RealPlayer download
  • SuperPass is an additional service that cost money