Knowing the required hardware and software for being an online student is essential. When you've got the right tools, you can avoid lots of unnecessary complications.

Your computer. Make sure that the primary computer you'll be using meets Canvas requirements. If you intend to use video and audio, make sure you have a webcam, microphone, and speakers.

On the go? Use the Canvas app for iOS or Android. Just don't use the app for your primary access! After you install the app be sure to type Santa Fe Community College to find our school.

Your internet connection. Since Canvas is a rich multimedia environment, dial-up internet is insufficient. A bare minimum connection speed requirement is Basic Broadband (at least 4 MB/s download speeds) - but the more the better, especially if you intend to use any streaming media or live (synchronous) interactions. Test your connection speed now!
Your web browser. Always use the most recent version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer as your browser when using Canvas. You may see a banner across the top of your page if you browser is out of date. Visit Canvas Guides for up to date information on supported browsers.

To download the Chrome browser, go to the Chrome download site.
To download the Firefox browser, go to the Firefox download site.
To download the Safari browser, go to the Safari download site.

Additional plugins. Below are some links to download other applications that might be useful during this course, depending on your intentions. Click the corresponding links to download each one from the company's website (they're free).

1. Adobe Reader: To read PDF files. Click here to download Adobe Reader.
2. Java: Java is a program that helps many communication features work effectively. Click here to download Java.

This page was adapted from Umpqua Community College.