Reasons Institute - Technical Requirements

Reasons Institute makes use of the latest technology in its distance-learning opportunities.

Reasons Institute online courses are taken exclusively over the Internet. There are no on-campus meetings. However, textbooks are required. All homework is submitted to your instructor online. Your "virtual classroom" is delivered over the web via the Moodle online learning platform.

All students must have the following in order to participate in an online course:

• high-speed internet connection (no dial-up),

• Firefox internet browser,

• regular, easy access to a private email account (not places like the public library),

• ability to play .mp3 files on a computer (Test your computer here),

• ability to play streaming video files (Test your computer - Vimeo and YouTube),

• ability to play Flash video files (Test your computer here),

• ability to open and print .pdf files (Test your computer here),

• ability to create .doc or .docx files using word processing software,

• ability to view Region 1 DVDs,

• ability to listen to audio CDs.

A word about tech support - Students access course content (e.g. lectures, assignments, message boards) using the Moodle e-learning platform through their internet browser. Because Moodle is open-source software, there is no professional tech support available. The Reasons Institute staff does its best to conform course elements to standard internet protocols and we will try to help students do basic troubleshooting of their technical problems, but we have very limited resources and it is ultimately up to the student to properly configure his or her personal computer.

A word about streaming videos - In order to access all of the course elements, students will need to be able to play online streaming video. If you are unable to do this, it's probably because your computer or your network has software installed that prevents access to streaming video. These filters are usually installed to block porn. If you know how to turn the filter off, that's the best solution. If you are unable to do that, try using a different computer on a different network. Please verify that you are able to succesfully play these test clips on YouTube and Vimeo prior to enrolling in the course.

A word to international students - In order to access all of the course elements, you'll need to be able to play Region 1 DVDs.The videos produced by Reasons To Believe and Sourceflix are Region 0 and should be accessible by all DVD players. Some of the commercially produced videos (such as PBS and the History Channel) are restricted to Region 1 DVD players. Some of these are playable on the computer, however, while others are not. We will do our best to make sure you have access to these programs, but cannot guarantee you'll be able to play every video.

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