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Computer Requirements and Technical Support

Technology Assistance and Support

For students who do not have access to necessary hardware or software required to complete online coursework, Sinclair may be able to offer additional support during the pandemic. To request assistance, you may complete the Technology Assistance Form, to request use of Sinclair equipment and/or software for your course(s). 

Additionally, technical support is available to all Sinclair Online students with computing, portal login, eLearn access, and other system-related questions. For class-specific academic support (such as with course content), please contact your instructor directly.

Sinclair Helpdesk

Phone: 937-512-4357 or toll-free at 866-781-4357
E-mail: helpdesk@sinclair.edu
Helpdesk Website: http://it.sinclair.edu/help-support
Online Helpdesk Ticket: http://hdto.sinclair.edu (24 hour response time)
Hours of Operation: Monday–Sunday: 6:00 a.m.–midnight (EST)

When contacting the helpdesk, please be prepared to provide the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your Student ID number
  • Your course name, number, and section (e.g., CIS 2202 501)
  • Instructor name (if known)
  • Internet browser version (e.g., Internet Explorer 11)
  • Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
  • Complete description of the problem and any error messages you have received

Computer Requirements

The information on this page is provided to help you get ready to complete courses with respect to their resources and technology. 

To Take eLearning Courses, You’ll Need Access* to:

  • Computer/Laptop
  • Internet Connection (Broadband access recommended)
  • E-mail Account (As a Sinclair student, you get one of these automatically)
  • Word Processing Software 
  • Supported Browsers
  • Webcam, microphone, flash or external drive, etc. 

*not all courses require all materials; this list is the more common items needed in eLearning courses. Your syllabus will contain specific technical requirements outside of this list.  

Success in eLearning courses is more likely if you are:

  • Comfortable using computers, including the Internet and word processing
  • Enjoy independent learning, and are good at managing your time
  • Able to dedicate time to your eLearning courses

Computer skills and digital literacy:

There are certain expectations for computer skills and digital literacy in eLearning courses. This list covers the more common skills. Ask your instructor if others are needed.

  • Using the learning management system
  • Using email with attachments
  • Creating and submitting files in commonly used word processing program formats
  • Downloading and installing software
  • Using spreadsheet programs
  • Using presentation and graphics programs
  • Using apps in digital devices
  • Using web conferencing tools and software
  • Using online libraries and databases to locate and gather appropriate information
  • Using computer networks to locate and store files or data
  • Using online search tools for specific academic purposes, including the ability to use search criteria, keywords, and filters
  • Properly citing information sources
  • Preparing a presentation of research findings

Looking for more detail?

Advanced Technical Requirements

You might want to know if your computer is capable of doing all you’ll need it to do while you complete your degree online. Here are some of the advanced system requirements needed for some online courses:

  • Hardware: Processor speed 2 GHz and higher
    Recommended: Intel Core 2 duo 2.0 GHz and higher OR AMD Athlon 64 x2 1.9 GHz and higher
  • Operating System: Windows 7 (or higher) or Macintosh OS/X
  • Minimum RAM: at or above operating system recommendations
  • Available Disk Space: 100 GB or more
  • Browser Configuration: Pop-up blocking disabled; JavaScript enabled, AJAX enabled
  • Java Runtime Environment: 1.6 or higher
  • Plugins: Flash*, Shockwave, QuickTime**, and/or Windows Media Player

  • Some courses may require audio/video equipment to participate in web conferencing meetings or assignments:

    • Video recording device, such as web cam or smart phone
    • Audio recording device, such as a microphone or headset

*Some of our applications still utilize Adobe Flash and we are aware of Flash's current instability. We are taking measures to mitigate the use of Flash player in future development and converting past applications. 

**Applies to Windows users only: Use VLC player in place of QuickTime due to Apple's discontinued support for the program for Windows devices.

Taking a CIS Course?

Hardware requirements that may be needed in addition to those listed above:

  • 32bit Windows operating system
  • Dual core processor: Intel Core2Duo 2.0 GHz, AMD Athlon 64 3800+ or equivalent
  • 4 Gigabytes of system memory
Recommended:
  • 64bit Windows operating system
  • Dual Core or higher processor: Intel i5, AMD Athlon 64 5000+ or equivalent
  • 8 Gigabytes of system memory
VMWare

VMWare is a fairly intensive software application and will not run on all home systems. Please be sure that your home computer has the hardware requirements mentioned above. Also, remember that these specs can vary by system; a laptop computer with these specifications can be much slower than a desktop with the same hardware rating. In general, Intel Celeron and AMD Sempron systems will not run VMWare well. Slower systems may work, but will be difficult to use and could experience lag, crashes, or extremely slow performance.

DVD Burner

When you are downloading software, you may be asked to burn a DVD. If you do not have a DVD burner or do not want to burn a DVD, you may save ISO files to your hard drive. ISO files can be installed to a virtual machine by mounting them as a virtual DVD in the vm settings.

If you have questions about computer requirements for your CIS course, check with your instructor.

Accessibility and Privacy Policies

Sinclair values accessibility and privacy 

Resources in courses consist of many items provided by both Sinclair and third party vendors. Privacy and Accessibility policies are usually located on the homepage of a website including third party tools. Many sites and tools do not have a policy for either. Below are common tools used in Sinclair eLearning courses such as websites and other platforms. Consult your course for specific links or consult the homepages of websites and products used in the course. 

Adobe Products (Acrobat Reader, Presenter, etc.)

Apple Products (Safari)

D2L/Brightspace

Google Products (Google, Google Drive, YouTube, Chrome Browser, etc.)

Microsoft Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, etc.)

Mozilla Firefox

Rise/Articulate 360 (Media tools) 

Study Mates (includes Respondus Lockdown Browser)

Zoom

Sinclair Website (and all sub-domains)