These are the minimum technology requirements for full participation in the College’s distance-education program — live Socratic seminars, digital texts, and College communications.

Computer

• Processor: a modern multi-core processor (Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5, or newer).
• Memory: 8 GB minimum; 16 GB recommended.
• Storage: at least 10 GB free.
• Display: able to show course materials clearly (1024 × 768 or higher).
• Webcam: required for live Zoom seminars.
• Microphone: required for live discussion.
• Audio: speakers or a headset; a noise-canceling headset is recommended.

Software

• Browser: the current or immediately preceding version of Google Chrome (recommended), Safari, Firefox, or Edge, with JavaScript and cookies enabled and pop-ups allowed for course tools.
• Zoom: the free Zoom desktop client (zoom.us); Zoom also runs in a browser.
• PDF reader: Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent.
• Antivirus software is recommended.

Internet

• Minimum: 10 Mbps download / 2 Mbps upload.
• Recommended: 25+ Mbps download / 5+ Mbps upload.
• Live Zoom seminars: at least 5 Mbps for stable video and audio.
• A wired Ethernet connection is preferred for seminars; strong Wi-Fi is acceptable. Avoid sharing bandwidth with other heavy-use devices during seminars.

Platforms you will use

• Canvas — the learning management system and main point of access for courses; use a desktop or laptop for full participation. The Canvas mobile app supplements but does not replace it.
• Zoom — hosts the live seminars; keep it updated.
• VitalSource — delivers the Great Books primary texts as e-books, with offline reading and accessibility features.
• Perlego — the academic e-library for secondary scholarship, in any current browser.
• Yellowdig — a community platform for discussion; Vidizmo — secure streaming for the College’s video documentaries. Both run in a browser with no installation.

Accessibility

Canvas, Zoom, and VitalSource include accessibility features (captioning, transcripts, screen-reader support, text-to-speech, adjustable fonts). Students who need disability-related accommodations request them through the College, which develops an individualized plan consistent with the ADA and Section 504.

Technical support

Help desk: [email protected], Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Central Time, with an initial response targeted within two business days. Orientation includes setup help.