Technical Requirements

In order for students to complete Lincoln Interactive courses, they will need to have access to the internet. Additionally, there are some downloadable software packages that will be needed in order for student(s) to participate fully.

1. Productivity

   Microsoft Office products are used in our courses, but for the most part, students should have access to Microsoft Word in order to view documents. Alternatively, students can use some of the “viewer” products.
   
   Go to the Microsoft Downloads Page here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/Search.aspx?displaylang=en Enter the word “viewer” into the search box at the top of the page.
   

2. Media Players

   While we have done our best to minimize the number of media types within the courses, there is some content where we have little control over how it is displayed. At a minimum, students should have the following packages available to them on their computer/laptop.
   QuickTime
   Flash Player
   Shockwave
   Real Player
   Windows Media Player
   iTunes* - iTunes can be used to mobilize the pod casts that appear in each lesson.
   Java Runtime Environment
   (Java is particularly important for Foreign Language courses)
   
   

3. Adobe Acrobat Reader

   Can be downloaded at http://www.adobe.com/downloads/?ogn=EN_US-gn_dl
   

4. Web Browsers

   Over the past several years, web browsing alternatives, such as Firefox from Mozilla, have become very popular. We are able to support “most” browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, and the like, although it is not uncommon to need to “tweak” some of the security settings. As a best practice, we should test your standard configuration for you to assure compatibility.
   

5. Firewalls

   Firewalls can bring the most complex issues to bear as we get started. Often, organizations consider perimeter security to be of the highest priority. As such, restrictions can add a layer of complexity to the student as they migrate through their courses.
   

6. CIPA Compliant Content Filters

   While we have not seen vast issues that relate from the use of CIPA compliant content filters, we still need to be aware of their presence in the organization. There will be times when a filter can work “too well” and filter what can be legitimate content. Please be certain that you have a “change management” procedure in place so that you can address content-centric issues as they arise.
   

7. Anti-Virus

   The most common issue we experience with Anti-Virus software is the need for some to affect streaming content, both audio and video.
   

8. Anti-Spam

   If you offer individual email accounts to students, or do not allow students to have individual email accounts, please let us know. If you do issue accounts, we may want to proactively enter your domain into our SPAM filter (and visa versa). If you or your district prohibits email for students, we can issue them via our secure servers so that students can effectively communicate with teachers. Our secure mail only permits students to send and receive email from a trusted list of domains so that we can keep them focused, and keep out what need to be kept out.
   

9. Proxy Servers

   Proxy Servers can be an effective tool for maximizing and controlling content and bandwidth resources. On the other hand, they can also create unforeseen issues, especially related to assessments. If your school uses a proxy server, such as Squid or Microsoft ISA Server, we will be happy to work with you during testing phases to assure that you can get what you need, and to minimize impact on students.