University Technology Requirements 

The University information technology requirements set the minimum standards necessary for students, faculty, and staff to interface with the University systems.

Summary

1. High speed Internet access
2. General computer requirements
3. Available resources

Successful use of Blackboard, both as a student or an instructor, requires compliance with Blackboard’s minimum technology. Blackboard and Blackboard Collaborate detailed requirements can be found on Blackboard, myAPU, and on the Information Technology site on SharePoint.

Internet Access Requirements

• Bandwidth must be Broadband or a high-speed equivalent. The typical home Internet access offering from ACS or GCI usually qualifies.
• Internet connections that do not qualify include:
  • Tethering to a cell phone
  • Airport WiFi
  • Coffee Shop WiFi
  • Your neighbors WiFi
  • Cellular Hotspot
  • Dial-up
  • Vehicle WiFi

Without adequate bandwidth, uploading large documents, video, audio, and other live chat functions are not possible or severely degraded. There is no substitute for adequate bandwidth.

If using a high-speed connection at home, be aware that others in the household and their Internet activity such as streaming Netflix, will negatively impact your performance and your ability to use Blackboard and other APU systems successfully.

Computer Requirements

• Windows 10 or above (MacOS 10.14 Mojave or above)
• MS Office Suite of Applications
• Speakers/Headphones and microphone
  • Highly recommend Headset with integrated mic, this cuts down on background noise affecting all participants in the session
• Minimum two different browsers installed. For example, two of the following: Chrome, MS Edge, Firefox, Safari.

Available Resources

• Faculty, Students, and Staff all have a Microsoft 365 subscription. Adjuncts have an Office 365 subscription.  Both subscriptions allow for the installation of the Office suite of applications on up to five devices per person.
• A OneDrive subscription is included with all faculty, staff, and student accounts with cloud storage of up to 1 TB.
• The standard meeting and collaboration software supported are MS Teams and Blackboard Collaborate.
• Compliant computers are available across campus including adjunct offices, the ASC, and other APU lab computers. The IT Department also has a limited number of Chromebooks that can be checked out for short-term needs.
• Campus WiFi is accessible to all and provides sufficient bandwidth for Blackboard functions both as a student or an instructor.

Not supported

• Tablets including iPad, Android, and Kindle
• Windows 7, Vista, XP, and older
• MAC OS Version 10.13 (High Sierra) and older