Technology Requirements
Desktop or Laptop Computer
To enroll and participate in classes, students must have a computer (PC or Mac) with at least 8 GB of random access memory (RAM) and 100 GB of free hard-drive space. If a student is attending on-campus classes, the computer must be a laptop. Students are expected to bring their laptop to all on-campus classes. They may also use mobile devices such as tablets (e.g., iPad), mobile phones, and notebook computers (e.g., Chromebooks) to perform some academic activities, however, a desktop computer or laptop must remain a student’s primary device.
PC Users: WTU requires that PC Users run Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1809 or later.
Apple Users: MacOS 10.14 Mojave or later is recommended. The minimum requirement is macOS 10.12 (Sierra).
Productivity Software
All students are required to have Microsoft 365 which is available as a free subscription to active, enrolled students at WTU. WTU will provide students with a Microsoft 365 account. Students may use that account to access online versions of the Microsoft productivity software. Microsoft 365 includes Teams, the software used to attend online classes at WTU.
Internet Access
WTU provides Internet access on campus. Students are required to have a reliable high speed internet connection with a minimum bandwidth of 8 Mbps upload/download speed at home, or wherever they intend to study when not on campus.
Browser Recommendations
These recommendations and settings will improve your experience using Moodle, WTU's Learning Management System; Microsoft Teams for online class meetings; and Einstein, WTU's Student Information System.
Browser Versions
Students may use Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, or Safari. For security purposes - and to ensure the best experience possible - students are required to install the latest version.
Browser Settings
Students must use browser settings to:
Enable Cookies
Enable Javascript
Instructions for browser settings are available in these places:
Firefox help: http://support.mozilla.org
Chrome help: http://www.google.com/support/chrome/?
Microsoft Edge help: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/products/microsoft-edge
Safari help: go to Safari > Preferences. The settings are located on the Security and Privacy tabs.
PDF Reader
To view PDF files, students need a PDF reader to be installed on their computer. A PDF browser plugin will allow students to view PDFs in a browser window without opening a separate program.
Download Adobe Reader at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. The download includes the browser plugin. To install this plugin, follow the prompts.
Browser Troubleshooting
Guidance for browser troubleshooting is provided in the Technology Requirements page on the WTU web page (washtechu.org)
Students are expected to familiarize themselves with how to clear their browser cache. For testing purposes, they are further advised to:
- Have a second browser installed on their machine
- Have access to a second computer