Blackboard Technical Requirements

The following hardware and software requirements listed below are the minimum specifications to work with the Blackboard Course Management System application:

Hardware: 64 MB of RAM or more, 1 G of free disk space

Modem: 56 K modem, cable modem or DSL

Platform: Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, or ME; MacOS 9 or MacOS X

Monitor: minimum, 640x480, recommended: 800 x 600

Web Browser: Client Browser Configuration Guide

Minimum: Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher, Netscape 6 or higher
Recommended: IE 6.0 for Windows, Netscape 6.2 or higher for Macintosh

NOTE: JavaScript & Cookies must be enabled.

How to Enable Hebrew in Windows XP (PDF, 166 kb)

Additional Reccomended Software:

Apple Quick Time 4Apple QuickTime 7
"When you hop aboard QuickTime 7 Player, you’re assured of a truly rich multimedia experience...The new QuickTime 7 Player not only delivers startling quality, but it’s easier to use than ever. " (Apple website)

Adobe Acrobat Reader Shockwave, Flash & Authorware
Adobe's Shockwave, Flash and Authorware Player plug-ins let you experience automation and entertainment in your Web browser. The new Shockwave 10 provides auto-updating of the player.

Adobe Acrobat ReaderAdobe Acrobat Reader
View and print millions of documents on the Web with the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader.

Real Networks RealPlayerReal Networks RealPlayer
Play online audio and video content.

Microsoft Media PlayerMicrosoft Media Player
Windows Media Player supports Windows Media (WMA,ASF), MP3, WAV, MIDI, AVI, and other formats.

Internet Explorer
(only needed if you don't have IE version 4.0 or newer)

 

Java Virtual Machine
(only needed to use the Virtual Classroom feature)

 

Microsoft Word
Wehighly reccomend, Microsoft Office suite 1997 or higher, if you do nothave Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, or Microsoft Powerpoint pleaseclick here to download the appropriate

Microsoft Word Viewer (needed only if you do not own MS-Word or compatible word processing software)viewer for free.

 

Microsoft Excel
View attached spreadsheets or tables posted on Blackboard

 

Microsoft Powerpoint
View teachers Powerpoint presentations, on lectures, or specific lessonsclick here to download the Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer (needed only if you do not own MS-PowerPoint)

 Additional Microsoft Product viewers

Java 2 runtime environment 1.31 or higher for the virtual chat

Downloading and installing Java Plug-in on a Windows Operating System:
  1. Click on "Get Java Plug-in for Windows". This will prompt you to save the file locally.
  2. Once you have downloaded the file, navigate to the file and run it.
  3. The installation process should begin.
  4. When installation has finished, click the "OK" button to launch the Chat application.
Get Java Plug-in for Windows (8MB)

Macintosh OS X Users:
No plug-in is needed for Macintosh OS X.

Macintosh OS 8 and 9 Users:
Click the "OK" button to go back, and click on the link on the originallaunch page to launch a Classic Mac compatible Lightweight Chat.

If you still have questions about whether your computer meets our minimal requirements, our knowledgeable and friendly technical staff are also available to help with installation and troubleshooting. Please contact us and we'll work with you to make sure.