Technology Check List

This is a working document started fall semseter 2007. I am trying to collect a list of all the technology needed, but I can't guarantee that I thought of everything. You can click here and then click on "Detect My Technology Now!" to see what you currently have installed.

• You will need a modern browser that is Java capable. Here are two, but there are others.
  • Internet Explorer 7.0
  • Firefox 3.0
• You need Java 5 update 11 or later. You probably already have Java installed, but if not, you can get Java here
.
• Flash Player 9 or later
• Adobe PDF reader
• Additionally, Course Compass has some needed software to access some of its features, but you will find a link in the Course Compass Class Home page that will help you get that software installed.
• A way to communicate mathematical expressions and simple drawings. There are many ways to accomplish this:
  1. You could use MS Paint or your favorite drawing program.
  2. You can draw by hand and take a picture of your drawing or scan it.
     If you choose this option, you will need to reduce the file size before posting your image on a discussion board or sending it somewhere.
  3. You could use a digital pen to make simple small drawings. This is an expensive way to go (~$100), so I only recommend it if you would have further uses for the pen after this class ends or in other courses. A digital pen lets you write on special paper and then load your image onto a computer. I have a logitech pen and I use it a lot while helping students and for personal uses. Target sells a more expensive one that I have not had a chance to check out. There are many others on the market that you can check out by searching 'digital pen'.
  4. I have created a drawing program that works in Internet Explorer and Safari. The images it creates are already quite small, so there is no need to change the file size. The program is located on my lsquaredmath site.
  5. If you have Word or other Microsoft Office products, you can use the built in drawing features and equation editors that come with those programs. You may have to do a custom install or Add/Remove Features to get them since they often are not installed in the default installation.
  6. Angel has a built in equation editor that students can use on the discussion board.

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Last Update: January 25, 2010