Digital Learning Commons

Technology Requirements

Please note that specific requirements vary quite a bit, depending on the provider. Below are the general baseline requirements. Following that you will find detailed information for each content provider.

General Guidelines

Student Access

Each student enrolled in an online course must have access to an available computer for a period of time during the school day in order to complete coursework.

Software

Recommended Software Supported Software
The DLC recommends using the most recent version of each of the following types of software. The following versions are the minimum supported by all DLC course providers.
Web Browsers
(Only one of these products need be installed.)
Media Players/Browser Plug-ins

Regardless of version, all browsers should be set up to:

  • Run Java applets
  • Run JavaScript
  • Accept Cookies (IE/Windows should have the Privacy Setting at Medium)

Please note that specific requirements may vary depending on the course, resource, or tool being accessed. Some courses may have requirements above and beyond what is listed here, including the installation of course-specific software.

Hardware

The DLC recommends using computers that will be able to run the most recent versions of the software packages listed on in this handout. Computers purchased within the past three to four years should be able to run all of the necessary software.

Screen resolution should be set to at least 800 x 600 (or higher, if possible). Computers should have speakers or headphones for best use with the multimedia portions of some courses.

Bandwidth

Most DLC courses, resources, and tools are largely text-based, meaning that the bandwidth impact will likely be fairly minimal. Some content providers make use of video and audio. These resources have the potential to increase bandwidth usage in your school or home. The exact impact of DLC participation will depend on the specific usage of DLC resources.

Provider-Specific Requirements

Apex Learning - Online Course Provider

Apex provides both online courses and two teaching resources: ClassTools and Beyond Books.

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win)
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 6.0+
  • Mozilla Firefox (Win/Mac/Linux) 2.0
  • Safari (Mac) 2.0+
Browser Plugins
Recommended
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Flash Player (Win/Mac) 9.0
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (Win/Mac) 8.0
  • AlternaTIFF (Win) 1.76
  • Sun Java (Win/Mac) 1.6
Course-Related Software
Recommended
  • Word Processor, such as Word (Win/Mac/Linux)
Not Supported
Note: these products may work, but the provider does not support them.
  • AOL Browser
  • Internet Explorer 5.1.6 for Macintosh OS 9
  • Netscape 6.0
  • The Opera browser has rendering anomalies that users may find unacceptable.
  • Safari 1.0
  • MSN Browser
  • SBC Yahoo!
  • Some activities within AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, and AP Statistics may not function properly with Netscape 7.
Settings
  • Cookies: Must be enabled
  • Javascript: Must be enabled
  • Pop-ups: Must be enabled
Hardware
  • Sound card and speakers or headphones
  • Microphone required for foreign language courses
  • Support for 1024×768 pixel resolution
  • Support for 256-bit color
  • Access to a printer
  • Access to a fax machine (ClassTools Virtual only)
Bandwidth
  • 20 Kbps per simultaneous user
Network Address Range(s)
  • 63.251.169.0-254
  • apexvs.com
  • apexlearning.com
  • correlation.edgate.com
  • http.vitalstreamcdn.com
  • forums.apexlearning.com
  • Or, 63.251.169.64 – 63.251.169.127 (CIDR notation: 63.251.169.64/26)
  • Any content from the following domains may be cached locally, but cached copies should be refreshed frequently (at least weekly):
    • media.apexlearning.com
    • assets.apexlearning.com
    • acecontent.apexlearning.com
  • Any content from the following domains must not be cached:
    • apexvs.com
    • courses.apexlearning.com
  • Make sure that support@apexlearning.com is whitelisted in your spam system.
Port(s)
  • 80 (for HTTP traffic from our Web servers and TCP outbound traffic used by Elluminate servers)
  • 443 (for SSL traffic from our secure Web servers)

Aventa Learning - Online Course Provider

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 6
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.22
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 7.1
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 6.2
Minimum
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 5.5
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.1x
  • Mozilla Firefox (Win/Mac/Linux) 1.x
  • Safari (Mac) 1.2
Browser Plugins
Recommended
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Flash Player (Win/Mac)
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Shockwave (Win/Mac)
  • Apple Quicktime (Win/Mac) 7
  • RealPlayer (Win/Mac) RealOne Player 2
  • Windows Media Player (Win/Mac) 7.1
Not Supported
Note: these products may work, but the provider does not support them.
  • ExamGuard (a customized browser providing an extra secure environment for online test-taking) is not compatible with Macintosh computers. Students must take ExamGuard exams on a PC.
  • MSN TV (Formerly Web TV).
Settings
  • Cookies: Must be enabled
  • Javascript: Must be enabled
Hardware
  • A screen resolution of 800×600 pixels or higher
Bandwidth
  • 28.8 modem (56k modem for some features)
Network Address Range(s)
  • aventalearning.com
  • aventa.blackboard.com
Port(s)
  • 80

Bridges - College & Career Provider

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 5.5
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.1
  • Mozilla Firefox (Win/Mac/Linux) 1.5
  • Safari (Mac) 1.2+
Minimum
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 5.0
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 7.1
  • Opera (Win/Mac/Linux) 8.x
Browser Plugins
Recommended
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Flash Player (Win/Mac) 6
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (Win/Mac) 5
Minimum
  • Apple Quicktime (Win/Mac) 6
Settings
  • Firewall: Allow .bridges.com, testu.com
  • Javascript: Must Be Enabled
  • Popups: Allow .bridges.com, testu.com
  • Cookies: Must Be Enabled
Bandwidth
  • 56k modem
Network Address Range(s)
  • bridges.com
  • testu.com
  • humanesources.com
  • achieveworks.com
  • 209.135.61.160/27
  • 64.154.80.0/23
  • 24.248.88.25/26
Port(s)
  • 80
  • 443

Catalyst - Digital Tools Provider

Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 6+
  • Mozilla Firefox (Win/Mac/Linux) 1.5+
  • Safari (Mac) 2.0
Not Supported
Note: these products may work, but the provider does not support them.
  • Internet Explorer for Mac
Settings
  • Cookies: Must Be Enabled
  • Javascript: Must Be Enabled
Network Address Range(s)
  • washington.edu
  • weblogin.washington.edu
Port(s)
  • 80
  • 443

Corbis Images for Education - Library Provider

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 6.0
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.2
  • Mozilla Firefox (Win/Mac/Linux) 1.0
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 8.0
  • Safari (Mac) 1.0
Settings
  • Cookies: Must be enabled
  • Javascript: Must be enabled
  • Edit your cache settings to check for new versions of stored pages on “every visit to the page.” Using cached (or stored) pages may result in unexpected results.
Network Address Range(s)
  • corbis.com
Port(s)
  • 80

Digital Learning Commons - Content Provider

Settings
  • Cookies: Must Be Enabled
Network Address Range(s)
  • learningcommons.org
  • learningcommons.com
  • depts.washington.edu
  • u.washington.edu
  • uwnetid.washington.edu
  • weblogin.washington.edu
Port(s)
  • 80
  • 443

ExploreLearning - Content Provider

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 6+
  • Mozilla Firefox (Win/Mac/Linux) 1.5+
  • Safari (Mac) 1.2+
Browser Plugins
Recommended
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Flash Player (Win/Mac) 9.0.45+
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Shockwave (Win/Mac) 8.5+
Settings
  • Cookies and Javascript Enabled
Bandwidth
  • 56k dial-up or broadband Internet access
Network Address Range(s)
  • explorelearning.com

Facts on File - Library Provider

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 5.0
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.0
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 6.2
Settings
  • Cookies: Must be enabled
  • Privacy and Security Settings should be set to “Medium”
Network Address Range(s)
  • 2facts.com
Port(s)
  • 80

Federal Way Internet Academy - Online Course Provider

OSes: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Macintosh OS/X with RAM at or above OS recommendations.

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Minimum
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 7.0
  • Mozilla Firefox (Win/Mac/Linux) 2.0
Browser Plugins
Minimum
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Flash Player (Win/Mac) 9.0
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (Win/Mac) 7.0
  • Apple Quicktime (Win/Mac)
  • Windows Media Player (Win/Mac)
Course-Related Software
Recommended
  • The GIMP (Win/Mac)
  • XnView (Win/Mac/Linux)
Not Supported
Note: these products may work, but the provider does not support them.
  • All other browsers (besides those listed) are not supported.
Settings
  • Pop-Up Blocking disabled
  • JavaScript Enabled
Bandwidth
  • Broadband
Network Address Range(s)
  • www.iacademy.org (ip: 169.204.208.10)
  • iacademy.angellearning.com (IP: 208.40.252.110)
Port(s)
  • 80
  • 5222 (used by IM and Angel LIVE)

Gaggle.net - Content Provider

Every student enrolled in an online course will receive a Gaggle.net email account. Students signing up to correspond with a Student Mentor will have the option of receiving a Gaggle account as well.

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win)
  • Internet Explorer (Mac)
  • Netscape (Win/Mac)
  • Safari (Mac)
Settings
  • Javascript: Must be enabled
  • Cookies: Must be enabled
Network Address Range(s)
  • gaggle.net
Port(s)
  • 80

Grolier Online - Library Provider

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 4.x +
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 4.x +
Browser Plugins
Recommended
  • Apple Quicktime (Win/Mac) 5.0
Not Supported
Note: these products may work, but the provider does not support them.
  • Netscape 6.x
Settings
  • Javascript
  • Cookies
Bandwidth
  • 56k modem (High-speed recommended)
Network Address Range(s)
  • auth.grolier.com
  • go.grolier.com
Port(s)
  • 80

netTrekker - Library Provider

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 5.0+
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.0+
  • Mozilla Firefox (Win/Mac/Linux) 1.0+
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 6.0+
  • Safari (Mac) 1.0+
Network Address Range(s)
  • nettrekker.com
Port(s)
  • 80

Placeware/MS LiveMeeting - Content Provider

Some DLC resource providers use this service to deliver web-based trainings. These trainings are optional. Users signing up for these trainings will receive more information during the sign-up process.

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 5.01
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.x
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 7.x
  • Safari (Mac) 1.0
Browser Plugins
Recommended
  • Sun Java (Win/Mac) 1.4
  • Windows Media Player (Win/Mac) 6.4
Not Supported
Note: these products may work, but the provider does not support them.
  • Live Meeting Replay format on Mac
Settings
  • Javascript: Must be enabled
Bandwidth
  • 56kb/sec
Network Address Range(s)
  • placeware.com
Port(s)
  • 80

SIRS - Library Provider

Provider Resources
Network Address Range(s)
  • sirs.com
Port(s)
  • 80

Spokane Virtual Learning - Online Course Provider

SVL has additional notes about recommended OS/browser combinations on their support page.

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 6.0
  • Safari (Mac)
Minimum
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 5.5
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.2
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 7.1
Browser Plugins
Recommended
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Flash Player (Win/Mac)
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Shockwave (Win/Mac)
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (Win/Mac)
  • Apple Quicktime (Win/Mac)
  • RealPlayer (Win/Mac)
  • Sun Java (Win/Mac) 1.4.2
  • Windows Media Player (Win/Mac) 10
Course-Related Software
Recommended
  • Presentation software, such as Powerpoint (Win/Mac/Linux)
  • Spreadsheet software, such as Excel (Win/Mac/Linux)
  • Word Processor, such as Word (Win/Mac/Linux)
Not Supported
Note: these products may work, but the provider does not support them.
  • AOL: AOL users will not be able to use the AOL browser for most SPS Blackboard activities. AOL users will need to minimize the AOL browser, and then open and use either Internet Explorer or Netscape for their browser.
  • CompuServe: It is highly recommended that CompuServe not be used as a participant’s primary ISP. It is mostly incompatible with Blackboard and other applications that are used in courses and communication.
Bandwidth
  • 28k modem (56k or higher recommended)
Network Address Range(s)
  • spokaneschools.org
Port(s)
  • 80

University of Washington Extension - Online Course Provider

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 5.0
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.0
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 6.2
Browser Plugins
Recommended
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Flash Player (Win/Mac) 6.0
Not Supported
Note: these products may work, but the provider does not support them.
  • AOL
Settings
  • Javascript: Must be enabled
  • Cookies: Must be enabled
Bandwidth
  • 56k modem
Network Address Range(s)
  • washington.edu
Port(s)
  • 80

Virtual High School - Online Course Provider

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 6
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.0
  • Mozilla Firefox (Win/Mac/Linux) 1.0
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 8.0
  • Safari (Mac) 1.0
Minimum
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 7.1
Not Supported
Note: these products may work, but the provider does not support them.
  • AOL
  • The Apple Safari browser does not support the Blackboard equation editor or collaboration tool
Settings
  • Pop-up Blocker: Allow student.govhs.org
Network Address Range(s)
  • govhs.org
  • vhs.blackboard.com
Port(s)
  • 80

WebEx - Content Provider

Some DLC resource providers use this service to deliver web-based trainings. These trainings are optional. Users signing up for these trainings will receive more information during the sign-up process.

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 5.0
  • Internet Explorer (Mac) 5.2
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 7.0
Minimum
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 4.7
Settings
  • Javascipt: Must be enabled
  • Cookies: Must be enabled
  • Java: Must be enabled
  • ActiveX: Must be enabled; No Restrictions
Network Address Range(s)
  • webex.com
Port(s)
  • 80
  • 1270 (TCP/UDP)

WOIS - College & Career Provider

Provider Resources
Web Browsers
Recommended
  • Internet Explorer (Win) 6.0+
  • Mozilla Firefox (Win/Mac/Linux)
  • Netscape (Win/Mac) 6.0+
  • Opera (Win/Mac/Linux)
  • Safari (Mac)
Browser Plugins
Recommended
  • Adobe (Macromedia) Flash Player (Win/Mac)
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (Win/Mac)
  • Windows Media Player (Win/Mac)
Settings
  • Javascript: Must be enabled
  • Cookies: Must be enabled
  • Pop-up blockers may prevent career videos from playing
  • Proxy servers must not cache ColdFusion (.cfm) files served by the WOIS site (caching of image files and style sheets is not a problem).
Network Address Range(s)
  • wois.org
Port(s)
  • 80
  • 443

Workforce Explorer - College & Career Provider

Provider Resources
Settings
  • Cookies: Must be enabled
  • Javascript: Must be enabled
Network Address Range(s)
  • ioscar.org
  • workforceexplorer.com
Port(s)
  • 80