Technology Requirements
Web Camera Requirements
In order to elevate each student's technological experiences as part of their education and learning process, all courses taught at LeTourneau University will integrate the Blackboard Learning Management System into the curriculum. Therefore, it is recommended that all LeTourneau University students purchase a PC and/or MAC compatible web camera in the event that recording videos from your computer is integrated into the course completion expectations. This is especially true for students pursuing their degrees and/or certification in a totally online format and all students pursuing any education degree and/or certification in either an onground or online format.
Technology Requirements for Blackboard
Students and faculty using their own computers are expected to comply with the minimal hardware configurations recommended by our Information Technology department. To use Blackboard, students and faculty must have access to the Internet, must use an approved web browser, and must use LeTourneau e-mail. In addition, the Microsoft Office Suite software package is required and specific plug-ins may be required to view posted material in some courses.
Web Browser Requirements
To access Blackboard, students and faculty may use any Internet service to establish a connection to the Internet. A current support web browser is required (click here for a list) when working with Blackboard. A high-speed Internet connection is HIGHLY recommended due to the frequent use of videos, large documents and other online learning resources. When using an Internet service that provides a different web browser (such as AOL or Juno), Blackboard users should first connect to the Internet, then close their service's browser and open one of the supported browsers before moving to online.letu.edu
Popup Blockers. Installed pop-up blockers must be turned off while working with Blackboard.
Click on the link below to see each web browser that is approved for use with our current version of Blackboard:
Blackboard 9.1 supported Operating Systems and Web Browers
Requirements for Using the Virtual Classroom
In order to use the Virtual Classroom inside Blackboard, Java must be enabled inside your web browser. You may also need to make sure that your network's firewall is not restricting outgoing TCP connections on Port 7755, or HTTP connections on Port 8081.
Downloads/Plug-ins
Downloading and installing the following applications will allow Blackboard users to view and use various file types that may be found within a Blackboard course. Some courses may require additional software as well.
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Adobe Acrobat Reader -- Viewer for Adobe ".pdf" files, a common document format.
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Microsoft Office Viewers -- Faculty and students who do not own Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, or Visio can download and install these viewers, which will enable them to view files created with Microsoft Office products without having to own Microsoft Office.
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QuickTime -- Quicktime is a common multimedia video and graphics viewing application. Quicktime makes it possible to view Quicktime ".mov" video files.
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Media Players -- Use these links to download the lastest RealPlayer, WinAmp, and Windows Media Player, which are used to listen to various video and audio files over the Internet.
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RealPlayer
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WinAmp
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Windows Media Player
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WinZip -- Winzip enables the user to view, extract, and compress files in a common zip file compression format.
