Hardware (minimum requirements):

Students must have regular access to a good, working computer. Some assignments can be completed on a smartphone or tablet, but our courses are too complex to be completed on either of those devices. Schools should ensure that students have access to a computer that meets the following standards:

  • 1 GHz minimum processor speed
  • 512 MB Ram, minimum
  • 10 GB of free HDD space
  • Audio Sound Capability & Headphones/Speakers
Operating System, one of the following:
  • Windows 8, 7, Vista (known OS issues), or XP (Microsoft is discontinuing support for XP service pack 3 April 2014)
  • Macintosh OS X 10.6 (minimum)
  Canvas Courses:
Screen Size Canvas is best viewed at a minimum of 800x600, which is the average size of a notebook computer. If you want to view Canvas on a device with a smaller screen, we recommend using the Canvas mobile app. Operating Systems
  • Windows 7 and newer
  • Mac OSX 10.6 and newer
  • Linux - chromeOS
Mobile Operating System Native App Support
  • iOS 7 and newer
  • Android 4.2 and newer
Computer Speed and Processor
  • Use a computer 5 years old or newer when possible
  • 1GB of RAM
  • 2GHz processor
Internet Speed
  • Along with compatibility and web standards, Canvas has been carefully crafted to accommodate low bandwidth environments.
  • Minimum of 512kbps
Preferred Browser:  Google Chrome
 
Enabling Mixed Content in Chrome:
Chrome Security
Mixed content
      Google Chrome verifies that the website content you view is transmitted securely. If you visit a page in your Canvas course that is linked to insecure content, Chrome will display a shield icon [1] in the browser address bar. You can choose to override the security restriction and display the content anyway by clicking the shield icon and then clicking the Load unsafe script button [2].
  • Internet Connection 1.5  MB download speed (or faster)
  • All ports should be open and Pop-up Blocker(s) must be turned off for:
    • http://ncvps.blackboard.com
    • http://moodle.ncvps.org
    • www.wimba.com
    • www.ncvps.org
    • www.help.ncvps.org
    • www.sasinschools.com
    • Email white-listing for addresses at ncpublicschools.gov
    • A master list of websites to be open to students can be found here, however, the individual district can opt to open only those websites needed for courses the students are participating in.  Specific course needs can be found below.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader X 10.1.3 (minimum)
    • http://get.adobe.com/reader/
  • Media Players: (required)
    • VLC Media Player
    • QuickTime 7.0 (minimum)
  • Media Players: (optional)
    • Real Player 10 + (minimum)
    • Windows Media Player 9 (minimum)
  • Audio recording software for creating mp3 audio recordings.
    • Audacity
      • Free and recommended for all language courses
      • http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/
    • Equivalent mp3 recording software
  • Java Version 7 update 45
    • Critical recurring updates
    • http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
  • Adobe Flash Player 12+ (minimum)
    • http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
  • Office productivity suite (one of the following):
    • Microsoft Office
    • Google Docs
    • Open Office
      • Free download
      • www.openoffice.org/
  • Adobe Shockwave Player 11.6 (minimum)
    • http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/

Operating Systems

  • XP
  • Vista
  • Win 7
  • Win 8
  • Mac 10.6,10.7,10.8

Internet Browsers

  • Internet Explorer 9 (except Win 8 which must run IE 10)
  • Firefox
  • Safari 6.0 (only with 10.7 and 10.8, 10.6 users MUST use firefox)
  • Chrome (only certified with Win 7 and win 8)

Additional requirements

  • 256 MB RAM
  • 20 MB free disk space
  • Internet Access – 28.8 kbps speed or above (Broadband connection highly recommended)
  • Soundcard with microphone and headphones (A headset with microphone/headphones is highly recommended)
  • Webcam (optional)

Note:  If the NCVPS course requires other technologies such as digital cameras, handhelds, midi devices, etc. please contact your NCVPS eLearning advisor at your home school about getting access to such equipment.

All ports should be open and Pop-up Blocker(s) must be turned off for:

Course Specific Technical Requirements can be found here.

Credit Recovery Specific Requirements

Department Course Name
Credit Recovery CR English I
Credit Recovery CR English II
Credit Recovery CR English III
Credit Recovery CR English IV
Credit Recovery CR Algebra I
Credit Recovery CR Algebra II
Credit Recovery CR Geometry
Credit Recovery CR Physical Science
Credit Recovery CR Civics and Economics
Credit Recovery CR US History
Google Chromebooks are currently supported for NCVPS Courses.

Google Chromebook and Chrome OS are possible options for you to consider to support your learning at NCVPS. While NCVPS learning environments are fully compatible with Google Chromebooks, some third party content within your courses may not yet be updated to meet the requirements set forth within the Chrome Operating System. If you experience an interruption in your learning, please open a help desk ticket at help.ncvps.com and we will make reasonable accommodations to support your learning experience.
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