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If your computer does not meet the minimum system requirements, Blackboard and other integrated software may not function properly. Prior to using Blackboard on your computer, compare your current system configuration with the minimum recommended system requirements below. Please note that Chromebooks and the Linux operating system are not compatible with Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Processor
1 GHz or more
Ram
2 GB or more
Hard Drive
40 GB or more
Hard Disk Space Available
20 GB
Internet Connection
Broadband high-speed Internet access
5 Mbps download speed
Run a speed test to make sure your download speed meets this requirement.
Adapter for Ethernet connection (LAN), or a wireless adapter (Wi-Fi)
Other
Sound card and speakers
Blackboard strives to make all its products as accessible as possible. The two most
recent versions of JAWS are used during accessibility testing.
The following software or hardware may be required for specific courses that you are taking, such as courses that require Respondus Lockdown Browser for online tests or participation in meetings via a web conferencing platform. Please note that Chromebooks and the Linux operating system are not compatible with Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Windows Media Player (Windows Only), QuickTime (Mac only)
Webcam (built-in or standalone)
Microphone (built-in, standalone, or headset)
Run the Blackboard browser checker tool to make sure that your browser has the necessary specifications for using Blackboard.
Your browser must be configured properly as follows:
JavaScript must be enabled.
Cookies must be enabled.
Pop-up windows must be enabled.
At a minimum, you will need three browser plug-ins to use Blackboard Learn: Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player, and the latest version of Sun JRE 7 - Java Runtime Environment plug-in. Blackboard Learn will not run properly if you are using an incompatible version of Java or if you have multiple versions of Java installed. (You may need additional plug-ins if the course you are taking includes multimedia elements.)
To download and install the current versions of Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player, and the Java plug-in.
Get the Java plug-in and also be sure to remove any older versions of the Java plug-in.
Note: On OS X 10.8+, Java is no longer shipped as part of the OS install and must be downloaded and installed by users on request of application/applet. This is a one time action on the part of the user.
Operating System Versions
Browser Versions
If the computer you are using has a compatible browser, you still may be able to use parts of Blackboard Learn. However, you may also experience problems, especially when completing quizzes and tests or using chat and the Virtual Classroom. For the best performance, please use a certified browser and operating system when using Blackboard.
Blackboard Learn requires that your Web browser conforms to certain standards. If you have an out-of-date or unsupported browser, you will need to download either a certified version of your current browser or a different certified browser before attempting to log into Blackboard Learn.