How to Be a
Good Online Learner

How do I download the plug-ins I need?

Some sites on the Internet require that you have additional programs installed on your computer in order to be able to view all of the content on their website.  These are called plug-ins.  There are some plug-ins that are used quite a bit and it would be helpful if you already have them loaded onto your computer.

These programs are all provided at no cost by very reputable businesses and are very safe to download.

Browsers

• Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • www.microsoft.com/downloads/Search.aspx?displaylang=en
    
    
• Mozilla Firefox
  • www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
    
    
• Safari
  • www.apple.com/safari

Adware Detection and Removal

• Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE Personal
  • www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

For a list of other plug-ins that may be used in Blackboard, go to: http://blackboard.vcu.edu/webapps/portal/
frameset.jsp?tab_id=_199_1 and look under Plug-Ins and Readers on the right side of the screen.

This is a good time to also check your browser for compatibility with Blackboard. To do this, go to: http://blackboard.vcu.edu/webapps/portal/
frameset.jsp?tab_id=_199_1. Click on the Test Browser button on the right side of the screen. Do not worry if you do not have a scaleable vector graphic viewer as this is not necessary for the course.

If you have any difficulty with the plug-ins, contact Lauren Ellington at courses@valrc.org or 1-800-237-0178.