Technological needs for participating in the RN to BSN program.
The RN to BSN program is an online program. To be effective in the courses of this program, you will need to have regular access to a reasonably modern computer with a reliable Internet connection. The minimum requirements will be enumerated below. It is essential that you meet these requirements before starting an online course or you may find yourself struggling to catch up at the start of the quarter.
Here are the minimum requirements.
- You will need regular access to a computer with an Internet connection.
It is preferable that this computer is a personal computer (at your home), but you may opt to utilize a work computer (if allowable and preferable), or a public computer in a campus computer lab. The key point is that the computer must be available when you need it and meet the requirements below.
- Your computer must have a reliable and reasonably speedy Internet connection.
A conventional modem-based Internet service at 56kbps should be sufficient. Access to a faster connection like a cable modem or DSL connection is preferable and may enhance your experience when viewing online video content.
- You must have an e-mail account and use it regularly.
If you do not have an e-mail account, there are a number of free options like Hotmail or Yahoo mail that may work for you. Another option is to use Ohio University's Oak e-mail system. While it is not required that you actually use your university provided Oak e-mail account, you will need to activate it in order to receive your grades. More information about activating and auto-forwarding your Oak e-mail will be provided at the first residency.
- Your Web browser must be reasonably modern.
Browser version: Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher or Netscape 4.7 or higher
Screen resolution (i.e., screen real estate): 800 by 600 pixels or higher
Color depth (i.e., number of colors your monitor is capable of displaying): 16-bit color or higher (i.e., greater than 256 colors)
Older versions of Netscape and Internet Explorer may work, but not optimally and may also introduce security vulnerabilities to your computer. Keeping your Web browser reasonably up to date is a good idea.
- You will also need some additional free software for enhanced web browsing.
Some content is also provided via Adobe Acrobat in PDF files and will therefore require the free Acrobat Reader for viewing. It may be obtained here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Video clips are also present in many courses. In order to view these video clips you will need to have access to a computer that has a sound card, speakers, and the free QuickTime plug-in. The QuickTime plug-in may be obtained here: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/. If your computer is capable of playing audio CDs or routinely makes noises other than a common beep, it should be capable of viewing the video content. If your computer is not up to the challenge of reliably viewing video content, you may opt to utilize a computer in a computer lab on the Athens campus, a regional campus, or elsewhere to view this content more effectively.
- You will need Microsoft Office.
Microsoft Office is the standard office productivity software utilized by faculty, students, and staff at Ohio University. Microsoft Word is the standard word processing software, Microsoft Excel is the standard spreadsheet software, and Microsoft PowerPoint is the standard presentation software. If you do not have Microsoft Office, you can acquire an affordable student copy of the software on campus. More details about the current university agreement with Microsoft may be found here: http://www.ohiou.edu/software/pcapps.html.
If items #4 and #5 above seem overly technical to you, please feel free to utilize our online Web browser compatibility test to allow us to assess the state of your technology. Visit the following Web site to perform the test: http://www.ouwb.ohiou.edu/nursing/browsertest/.
Also, please be aware that upgrading Web browsers and installing other software may require time-consuming downloads. If you find yourself in need of software or upgrades, you may want to consider visiting the Communication Network Services Support Center during your trip to Athens for the first residency. At the Support Center, you can acquire a free copy of the student Network Applications CD that contains web browser upgrades along with QuickTime and Acrobat. More information about hours and location of the support center may be found here: http://www.cns.ohiou.edu/support/supportcenter.html.
And finally... you will be provided technological orientation and printed documentation during the first residency to ease you into the online program. Support in the form of a technological Help Desk will also be provided. Relax... we're here to help you.