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 (ranked in order of preference for use with Blackboard)

• Mozilla Firefox (the recommended browser for Blackboard)
  • www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
  
  
• Google Chrome
  • www.google.com/chrome
    
    
• Safari
  • www.apple.com/safari
    
    
• Microsoft Internet Explorer (very problematic with Blackboard and not recommended for use in the courses)
  • www.microsoft.com/downloads/Search.aspx?displaylang=en
  • If you must use Internet Explorer, to aid to resolving some of the issues be sure that you are in Compatibility Mode. To do this, follow these steps:
    • Go to Tools > Compatibility View Settings > Check 'Display all websites in Compatibility View'
    • Shut down Internet Explorer and restart the browser
      
      

Adware Detection and Removal

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

Other Third-Party Software

• Adobe Reader
  • http://get.adobe.com/reader
    
    
• Java
  • http://java.com/en
    
    
• Windows Media Player
  • http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx
    
• Real Player
  • www.real.com
    
    
• Quicktime Player
  • www.apple.com/quicktime/download

Compatibility Software

• Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats
  • http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=941B3470-3AE9-4AEE-8F43-C6BB74CD1466&displaylang=en
  • This download enables your older version of Microsoft Office Suite to open the newer .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx file formats of Microsoft Office Suite 2007.

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.