Technical requirements
The Faculty of Health Disciplines delivers course material using a web-based system. In order to access the courses, complete assignments, and communicate with instructors and other students, each student must own or have ready access to basic computer hardware and software.
Required system
Windows computers are the primary equipment supported by Athabasca University's Helpdesk but limited assistance for other hardware and software platforms is offered. Students are responsible for their own communication costs such as long distance telephone charges and subscriptions to an internet service provider, or any other communications service requirements.
| PC minimum hardware requirements | MAC minimum hardware requirements |
|---|---|
| Built in the last 10 years | Built in the last 10 years |
| 2 GB memory or higher | 2 GB memory or higher |
| 50 GB free disk space | 50 GB free disk space |
| Integrated web camera | Integrated web camera |
| Colour screen with 1024x768 screen resolution | Colour screen with 1024x768 screen resolution |
| High-bandwidth internet connection (LTE, ADSL, cable or satellite) | High-bandwidth internet connection (LTE, ADSL, cable or satellite) |
| Mouse or trackpad | Mouse or trackpad |
| Sound capable | Printer |
| Printer | |
| PC minimum software requirements | MAC minimum software requirements |
| Microsoft Windows 7 or 10 | Mac OS X or higher |
| MS Office 2007 (or newer version) - MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint | MS Office 2008 (or newer version) - MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
| Up-to-date Browser: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, latest versions | Up-to-date Browser: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, latest versions |
| Current anti-virus program Adobe Acrobat Reader Media player for both audio and video | Current anti-virus program Adobe Acrobat Reader Media player for both audio and video |
Students are solely responsible for arranging to purchase and maintain the required computer system and should have a contingency plan in the event of system failure. If you have not already purchased a computer, you may want to consider obtaining a laptop.
Students are expected to be able to use computer-mediated communications for the following purposes:
- creating course assignments in various formats,
- instructor-student and student-student interaction in computer conferences,
- email,
- file transfer or file attachment of assignments,
- interaction and feedback on joint student projects,
- accessing audio and video materials, and
- accessing electronic databases (library resources, Web resources).
Allowing pop-ups
You may access the online systems using any of the above recommended browsers. You must allow/enable pop-ups to be able to smoothly operate with this system. Please check the browser instructions to enable pop-up windows.
Plugins
- Adobe Reader (free at get.adobe.com/reader/)
Online exams
Some courses use online examinations that are invigilated remotely.
Make sure you have a secure and stable internet connection. Please note, if you are using wifi you may experience loss of connection during periods of high use or other environmental factors. You may consider connecting to the internet via Ethernet cable. Please contact the IT helpdesk for further information.
The invigilation service “ ProctorU” provides a link to test your equipment in advance of the examination.
Technical support
Athabasca University's Computing Services Help Desk will provide technical/usage support for online learning. If you have any problems using the online learning platform, you may contact the Athabasca University Help Desk and identify yourself as a Faculty of Health Disciplines student.
Help Desk contact info
- Computing Service Help Desk website
- Phone: 780-675-6405
- Toll-free: 1-800-788-9041 ext. 6405 (North America)
Updated January 26, 2022 by Digital & Web Operations (web_services@athabascau.ca)