Technology Requirements
To successfully access and complete Columbia School courses, the following technology is required or recommended.
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Devices
Operating System Memory(RAM) CPU Windows 10 4gb or higher, 8gb recommended PC: 2.33GHz AMD® -or- Intel® Core™ Duo 1.83 GHz or better Mac® OS® X 10.7.5+ 4gb or higher, 8gb recommended Mac: Intel Duo 1.33 GH or better iOS 4gb or higher, 8gb recommended iOS / iPadOS 15.4+ Android 4gb or higher, 8gb recommended Android 12+ SUPPORTED DEVICES
- PC and MAC® laptops and desktops
- Chromebook
- iPad
- Android tablet
- Surface tablet
Each online course will work best when your student accesses lessons and assignments through acceptable devices. These include desktop and laptop computers running the most current Windows and iOS operating systems, a keyboard, and a mouse. Smartphones can be used but are not recommended for long-term use.
Lightweight devices such as Apple iPads, Google Chromebooks, and tablets have limited support for Java and programming-based content. Therefore, these devices are not recommended for the following courses:
- AP Computer Science A
- Engineering and Product Development
- Graphic Design
- Introduction to Java Programming
- JavaScript Game Design
- Keyboarding
- Principles of Architecture
- Python Multiplayer Adventure
- Scratch Coding
PLEASE NOTE:
- Chromebooks and mobile devices may limit access to certain features.
- Students will need access to a printer and means to digitally submit a file.
- Smartphones and smart watch devices are not suitable devices to access courses.
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Internet Connection
We recommend that you have a minimum of a 25mbps internet speed connection with at least 2Mb/s per simultaneous student connection. Anything lower than this will greatly reduce the performance of your courses.
Extra Requirements
- webcam
- device with speakers, microphone, and/or headset with microphone
- Microsoft Office or similar word processor
- keyboard
- mouse
- removable media (such as a thumb drive or memory stick)
- printer
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Supported Browsers
Each online course will work best when your student accesses lessons and assignments through acceptable browsers. Mozilla Firefox®, Google Chrome®, and Apple® Safari are recommended browsers.
Supported Browsers Version Chrome (latest release) Firefox (latest release) Safari (latest release)
Safari settings on iPads should be configured as follows:
- Settings -> Safari -> Privacy & Security -> Block All Cookies MUST BE OFF
- Settings -> Safari -> Privacy & Security -> Prevent Cross-Site Tracking MUST BE OFF
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Other Program Downloads and Hardware/Software
Some courses require downloads of software programs specific to completing assignments.
- Arts Explorations requires the free download of Funny Photo Maker
- Basic Web Design, JavaScript, and JavaScript Game Design require the following:
- HTML Text Editor (choose one): TextEdit, Notepad, or Text
- Image editing software (chooseone): Pixlr, GIMP
- Webhosting and basic in-browser FTP: Neocities
- Digital Media students will need a printer, camera, scanner (optional), and one of the following programs:
- Audacity
- GIMP
- Inkscape
- DaVinci Resolve
- Pencil2D
- Blender
- GDevelop
- Digital Photography students will need the following: digital camera (tripod, lenses, lights optional), paper,
scissors, glue, and access to photo manipulation software - Explorations in Arts Careers will need the following:
- digital camera (cameraphone, DSLR and other devices with a camera is acceptable)
- video camera (cameraphone, DSLR and other devices with a camera is acceptable)
- video software (iMovie and other video editing software is acceptable)
- Graphic Design students will need one of the following software programs:
- Adobe® Illustrator (cost associated)
- Adobe® Photoshop (cost associated)
- GIMP
- Pixlr
- Introduction to Java Programming students will need the
following:- HTML Text Editor (TextEdit, Notepad, or Text)
- Eclipse
- Photojournalism requires a digital camera (tripod, lenses, lights optional)
- Principles of Architecture requires AutoCAD software (free download arranged by the teacher)
- Python Multiplayer Adventure requires Python Version 3