Blackboard Learn - Learning Management System

All Learning Management Systems (LMS) have minimum technical requirements. You may be required to install additional software or make changes to settings on your machine in order to use the Blackboard LMS. With Blackboard Learn, you may access resources for configuring your computer from the Helpdesk tab within Blackboard Learn upon logging in with your EUID and password.

Hardware Requirements

Our degree program will help you become proficient in the use of computer-based tools and resources that are important to information work of all kinds. In order to participate, however, you must have a minimum level of connectivity and computing capabilities outside the Department.

Internet Access

Internet connectivity is required for many of our courses that are delivered via Blackboard Learn (learning management software), for remote access to the UNT Libraries and other resources, for searching the World Wide Web for class assignments, and for email and conferencing. If you do not already have Internet access at home or work, you should subscribe to a commercial Internet service provider (ISP).

Be sure the ISP you choose provides a local telephone number and does not charge by the minute. For students pursuing the majority of their program online, we highly recommend broadband, digital subscriber line (DSL), fiber optic service (FIOS), or cable modem service for the fastest possible connections.

As the majority of all computer equipment at UNT is PC-based, we recommend that you purchase hardware that is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP, or higher, operating system.

Hardware

We recommend a current model computer (less than two years old) with at least the following hardware base:

• 3GHz, or faster, processor
• 2 GB RAM (4 GB+ recommended)
• DVD optical drive
• Sound card
• Broadband Internet conectivity
• USB thumb drive (for transferring data from UNT machines)
• Microphone, speakers or headset

Software

The base recommended software includes:

1. Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 3, or newer
2. Microsoft Office 2010, or newer, with Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint
3. Current versions of multiple common Internet browsers may be necessary in order to better experience all UNT and LIS resources:
   
   
   • Chrome
   • Firefox
   • Internet Explorer
   • Safari
4. A web editing tool such as Notepad++, KompoZer, or Dreamweaver
5. Adobe Acrobat for PDF document creation and editing

To verify that your web browser is compatible with Blackboard Learn, you can visit the Helpdesk resources page. Note that some courses require additional software, usually free browser plug-ins.

We also highly recommend the use of antivirus software on your system to prevent against the latest computer virus and Internet worm threats. Listed below are a few of the applications that provide solutions to keep your system updated with the latest virus signatures on a monthly, weekly or daily basis.

• McAfee VirusScan (downloadable free for currently enrolled students from the UNT HelpDesk - Student Section website with a UNT EUID and password)
• Symantec’s Norton AntiVirus
• F-Secure Anti-Virus

For More Information

You may also review the current computer hardware and software offerings available in the College of Information General Access Computer Lab.