Computer Requirements for Online Learning

To participate effectively in our distance learning courses, you must have full access to a reliable computer that is connected to the Internet. You will require full permission to use, change configurations, and install programs on the computer you will be using for the duration of the course.

Special Note to Corporate Laptop Users

In many cases corporate laptops can have severe restrictions placed on the laptop to prevent changes to network or software settings. In some cases our wireless network will require changes to your DNS and or browsers in order to connect properly. We do not recommend you use a corporate owned laptop unless you have access, or can get access, to make some changes to the laptop if required. please contact Computer Services by phone, email or Online Request Form for additional information.

You should also have a basic understanding of your computer and a basic understanding of browsers and the Microsoft Office applications. Although nothing replaces a good, paid, computer course, a good site that offers free training is http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computers.

Computer Requirements:
Your computer hardware and software should meet or exceed the following requirements:

Computer Requirements
	Windows	Macintosh
Operating System	Recommended: Windows 8 or higher	Recommended: One of the 3 most recent releases (Microsoft Office 365 can only guarantee support on the current release of Mac OS, plus two previous versions. Older versions may work, but may have issues) (please see *Known Issues*)
Processor	Recommended: 1.6 GHz or faster, 2-core	Recommended: Intel processor
Memory (RAM)	Recommended: 4 GB (or better)	Recommended: 4 GB (or better)
Internet Browser	Recommended: Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge (latest version) (Chrome required for Programs using online exams. Check with your Program Office for requirements) Please note that Internet Explorer is no longer supported. Microsoft Edge and Safari are not recommended.	Recommended: Chrome or Firefox (latest version) (Chrome required for Programs using online exams. Check with your Program Office for requirements) Please note that Internet Explorer is no longer supported. Microsoft Edge and Safari are not recommended.
Office Suite	Required: Microsoft Office 2007 or higher. (RRU offers MS Office 365 free to all credit students, staff, faculty and associate faculty)	Required: Microsoft Office 2007 or higher (RRU offers MS Office 365 free to all credit students, staff, faculty and associate faculty)
Antivirus	Recommended: See Top Antivirus for Windows	Recommended: See Top Antivirus for Mac
Anti-Malware	Recommended: Windows Defender (free) or MalwareBytes	Recommended: MalwareBytes
Internet Service	Recommended: DSL, Cable, or Satellite with at least 2mbps upload speed (the faster the better) Please note that it is strongly recommended that you have access to Internet from home. Expecting to access your course from your work internet or a public network like a library or coffee shop is not practical due to the high volume and tight deadlines that you can expect in some courses	Recommended: DSL, Cable, or Satellite with at least 2mbps upload speed (the faster the better) Please note that it is strongly recommended that you have access to Internet from home. Expecting to access your course from your work internet or a public network like a library or coffee shop is not practical due to the high volume and tight deadlines that you can expect in some courses
Peripherals	Microphone: Recommend headset with microphone to limit background noise Webcam: Recommend 320X240 VGA resolution minimum (Microphone and Webcam are required for Programs using online exams. Check with your Program Office for requirements)	Microphone: Recommend headset with microphone to limit background noise Webcam: Recommend 320X240 VGA resolution minimum (Microphone and Webcam are required for Programs using online exams. Check with your Program Office for requirements)
E-Mail Capability	Access to e-mail through an e-mail program or web-based e-mail system - Recommended: Gmail Please see our information regarding government and Microsoft accounts.	Access to e-mail through an e-mail program or web-based e-mail system - Recommended: Gmail Please see our information regarding government and Microsoft accounts.
Recommended Hardware when in residence	Network Cable (not required but useful, 10-20ft) Small Portable Printer (helpful, but not necessary) USB Memory Key (4gb or more) No Routers please	Network Cable (not required but useful, 10-20ft) VGA adaptor to allow your MAC to connect to the classroom projectors Small Portable Printer (helpful, but not necessary) USB Memory Key (4gb or more) No Routers please
Other*	A cloud storage location can help keep things organised. Many services available. OneDrive has Canadian data center and is provided free with Microsoft Office 365.	A cloud storage location can help keep things organised. Many services available. iCloud for Mac can be useful as well. OneDrive has Canadian data center and is provided free with Microsoft Office 365.
Mobile Devices*	(Although tablets have made great leaps in the past few years, tablets still have limitations that may make using it as your only connection to Royal Roads difficult. Using some of the apps below will assist you in access Royal Roads resources however we still recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for the bulk of your RRU studies. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us by telephone and we would be pleased to discuss this with you) For the latest list of Moodle apps that work with Moodle, please visit here. The free Mail for Android or Mail for iOS apps that come with the devices will work fine for accessing your RRU email if you want to keep it separate Microsoft Office for Mobile (free, iOS, Android) apps provide full functionality with a free RRU Microsoft Office 365 account

*RRU does not endorse nor support the 3rd party applications listed above. The apps and software listed above are suggestions only and should be used at your own discretion.

Please Note: Some courses may have additional and/or alternate computer requirements. Please check with the academic department for your program. If you will be accessing your course through your employer's network, please check with your work's IT department to verify computer and network access. As noted above Internet Explorer is no longer supported. If that is the only browser allowed at your company, you will be unable to access most of your course information while at your company.

Contact Computer Services for assistance

As always, should you need further assistance, please contact Computer Services by phone, email or Online Request Form.

Content

Space Tools

Related articles