Technology Tips 

Listed below are some technical tips coming from inquiries by other students. These quick references may be used to help you with best practices for online learning or technical tips for other tools.

Technical Requirements | Skills Requirements | Password Assistance

Tips for Successfully Completing Online Assessments
Very often assessments (quizzes & tests) are configured to allow you only one attempt, and to complete the entire assessment on that first access.  When you click the link to take an assessment the next screen will prompt you to begin or cancel and return to the previous page.  If you are not ready to take the assessment at that time, please do yourself and your instructor a favor and click “cancel.”  Once you click Begin, you are committed – there is no going back.  For more information, click on the links below.

• FAQs for Quizzes and Tests

Do your work “offline” on your word processor?
Internet users know that service can and will often be disrupted with little or no warning from a variety of causes.  These are usually beyond the ability of you, your instructors,  or the VCCS to control — it is a fact of modern life.  If you work offline and save your files to your computer or a flash drive, you don’t have to worry about being disconnected before you finish and submit your work.

Always save your files before you send them to your instructor
Always save a copy of your files on your computer or a flash drive in case something gets lost in cyberspace.  Please do not try to attach an OPEN file in an assignment.  Some browsers will not send a file if it is still displayed in your application, they send blank placeholders instead.  It is your responsibility to complete and turn in assignments; instructors cannot assign a grade based on work they’ve never seen.

I don’t have the latest version of Microsoft office and can’t open up the documents my instructor provides in Canvas
If you do not have a compatible version of Microsoft Office software (Office 2007 minimum), the VCCS has contracted with Microsoft to provide a free version of Office 365 for active students.  Go to our Software Page for more information.

Panopto Recordings
Many instructors at RCC use Panopto for lecture captures and recordings.  Look in your class or view the sessions that are publicly available.

Please note that some instructors use passwords for course recordings.  If your instructor has password protected your recording, you will be given a password by your instructor to view the lecture.

Computer Skill Requirements
A student should be able to:

• use e-mail, including attaching documents to messages. All official course communication must be conducted through college student email accounts.
• use of Internet search engines such as Google, Bing, or Yahoo
• use Microsoft Office applications (ex. Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• use internet browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari
• open and close files, creating folders, saving files or folders, deleting files, and installing programs.
• downloading and opening programs from the Internet.
• print pages from the Internet
• demonstrate a working knowledge of computing concepts in order to accomplish required course tasks

If you do not have these experiences or skills, you should take a beginning computer course before attempting distance learning classes. (Contact Student Development at either campus, and talk to a counselor for information on which course is right for you.)

Computer System Requirements

Notes: The hardware requirements listed above are general recommendations for most courses. Some requirements may vary – check your course syllabi for special hardware or software requirements.  Lower versions of some software may continue to work but reduced functions or compatibility with other software.

Chromebooks – sold under a number of different manufacturers and sometimes called Chrome Laptops are not recommended.  These computers are for running web-based applications only.  Some classes may require specialized or locally installed software that will be incompatible with Chromebooks.  The Canvas LMS does support Chromebooks in general, but some class related activities may not.

Netbooks – sold by a number of different manufactures, these are small, inexpensive computers that may seem attractive to many users because of the low price.  They are, however, usually under powered (Intel Atom or Mobile processors), with minimal Memory or Storage capability.  They often do not have Bluetooth ability and use older, slower and less secure Wi-Fi technologies.  While some claim to use Windows 10, check closely it may be Windows 10M – for Mobile – the stripped down version intended for Mobile Devices such as Smartphones, and can only use mobile apps.  Netbooks are Strongly Discouraged.
*A Notebook (note spelling) is not the same as a Netbook. A Notebook is a smaller but fully capable laptop that has been configured for ultra light weight.  The similarity in spelling/sound is for marketing of the lesser capable machines.

Note on Windows Versions:  Windows 7, 8, 8.1 are compatible with our LMS (Canvas), but not with all software in use in classes.  Windows 7 in particular is Not Supported by Microsoft (the manufacturer.)  It is strongly discouraged for use.

* Reliable High-Speed Internet access is required for all online course and much supplemental tools for face to face courses.  Dial-up access is not adequate for many applications.  Cellular hot-spots are not recommended – consult your data plan for possible costs.
** Some application functions and services may not be compatible with all mobile devices.

Other Software Requirements

• Browser:  Firefox (Latest), or Chrome (latest), Edge (Windows 10), Safari 12+.  Canvas Browser Compatibility Page.
  Some applications such as Navigate do NOT support Edge or Safari.  Firefox and /or Chrome are strongly recommended and are free.
• Microsoft Office (Office 2016, 2019 or Office 365 recommended) *Google Docs is supported but does require extra steps for some course requirements.
• Plugins:  Information on plugins that you might use in your course 

Virus/ Spyware Information
Due to all the infected files with worms and computer virus on the Internet, we encourage students to have updated antivirus software. It is important that you make sure you run updates on a regular basis to prevent viruses from infecting your computer.  For Windows 10 machines we recommend Microsoft’s Windows Defender – included with Windows but make sure you keep it updated.

All-Academic Computing Centers are governed by the following policies:

• VCCS Information Technology Student Patron Use Agreement
• VCCS Student/Patron Ethics Agreement
• Student/Patron Acceptable Computer Use Agreement

• Reset your password

For password documentation please review our MyRCC help page [internal link].

Setting Up Your Password
New password must have at least eight (8) characters and not more than thirty-two (32). Your password must contain a combination of:

• At least one UPPERCASE letter
• At least one lowercase letter
• At least one number (0-9)
• At least one special character (i.e. ! @ # $ %)
• Can NOT contain your first or last name or your username

To help protect your account, make sure that your password is memorable for you, but difficult for others to guess.

• Do not share your password with anyone
• Never use the same password that you’ve used in the past
• Longer Passwords are more secure
• Use a Pass Phrase that you can remember
• For Ideas please see this video:  How to Choose Strong Passwords.

After setting up your account for the first time you will need to provide 5 security questions and corresponding answers that only you will know. The questions will be used if you need to reset your password in the future. Good questions / answers are things that do not often change, and are easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.