Most online courses at Rio Hondo College use a program called WebCT (Web Course Tools) to provide password-protected access to online courses via the Internet. Administration of Justice (AJ) and Corrections (CORR) courses are not in WebCT and can be accessed by clicking here.  Both types of online courses require an Internet connection.  WebCT courses require modern computer hardware and a supported web browser. While courses are designed to accommodate slow dial-up modems, broadband (DSL and Cable) Internet connection speeds are recommended. 

Computers for Rio Hondo College student use are available at the Rio Hondo College District Computer Lab.

If you are taking a course using the WebCT system, please read on to ensure that your computer is ready to access your course before the term begins.

For all browsers you will need to have JavaScript, Java, Cascading Style Sheets, and Cookies enabled and pop-up blockers turned off when using WebCT.

Computer Requirements

Browser Configuration

 

Computer Requirements

In order to participate in an online class from home, your system will need to meet the following operating system and browser requirements.  Computer hardware capable of running these operating systems should have no problems accessing WebCT.

(NOTE: Computers are available in the Rio Hondo Computer Lab for all students without computer access elsewhere):

 

Supported Operating Systems

• Windows® 98 Second Edition

• Windows 2000

• Windows XP

• Mac OS® 9

• Mac OS X v.10.1.x

• Mac OS X v.10.2.x

• Mac OS X v.10.3.x

 

Supported Browser / Operating System configurations

Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows 2000, and Windows XP operating systems:

• Netscape Navigator® 6.2.x, 7.0, 7.1, and 7.2 browsers 

• Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 browsers. Note: Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1 is not supported. 

• AOL® 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0 browsers 

• Mozilla 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7 browsers 

 

Mac OS 9.x operating system software:

• Netscape Navigator 6.2.x browser 

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.1 browser 

 

Mac OS X v.10.1.x operating system software:

• Netscape Navigator 6.2.x, 7.0, 7.1, and 7.2 browsers 

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.1 and 5.2 browsers 

• AOL for Mac OS X browser 

• Mozilla 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7 browsers 

 

Mac OS X v.10.2.x operating system software:

• Netscape Navigator 6.2.x, 7.0, 7.1, and 7.2 browsers 

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2 browser 

• AOL for Mac OS X browser 

• Mozilla 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7 browsers 

 

Mac OS X v.10.3.x operating system software:

• Netscape Navigator 6.2.x, 7.0, 7.1, and 7.2 browsers 

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2 browser 

• AOL for Mac OS X browser 

• Mozilla 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7 browsers 

• Safari 1.2 browser 

 

 

Browser Configuration  

For all browsers you will need to have JavaScript, Java, Cascading Style Sheets, and Cookies enabled and pop-up blockers turned off when using WebCT.

For all users, set cached pages to update "automatically" (Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Netscape Navigator 6.2.x), or "when the page is out of date" (Netscape Navigator 7.x and Mozilla 1.x).

This page will verify your browser type and version and will detect whether or not JavaScript, Java, and cookies are enabled. This test will not work with all browsers.  You should only use browsers on the above supported list for accessing WebCT.

Your Platform and Browser information.

Variable	Setting
Browser Version
Operating System
UserAgent
Javascript Enabled
Javascript Version
Java Enabled
Cookies Enabled
Pop-ups Enabled

 

Get Java

You will need to have the Sun Microsystems Java Runtime Environment (JRE) software version 1.4.1 (1.4.2 or higher recommended) software installed in your browser in order for certain areas of WebCT to function properly.

To download and install this software, click the Java - Get It Now button below. Then, follow the online instructions.

 

Enable Pop-Ups for WebCT

While using WebCT, if you are unable to view discussion postings, quiz windows, or download links, then you need to enable pop-ups.

Depending on the pop-up blocking software you are using, you may be able to set the Rio Hondo College WebCT site ( webct.riohondo.edu ) as an allowed site, or you may need to turn-off the pop-up blocker while using WebCT.

Pop-up blockers work in the background while you browse the internet. When they detect a pop-up window that may be an unwanted advertisement, they automatically close the window. This can prevent WebCT from performing properly.

To disable pop-up blockers for WebCT:

a) Search your hard drive for any software with "pop-up" in the name. Disable it or set the Rio Hondo College WebCT site ( webct.riohondo.edu ) as an allowed site. Examples of popular pop-up blocking applications include:

• Pop-Up Stopper
• Pop-Up Defender
• Pop-Up Zapper

b) Pop-up blocking functions are included in some anti-virus, internet security, personal firewall, and browser programs. Disable the relevant setting in the program or set the Rio Hondo College WebCT site ( webct.riohondo.edu ) as an allowed site. Examples of programs that include pop-up blocking functions include the following.

• Norton Internet Security
• Zone Alarm Pro
• Google Toolbar
• Yahoo! Toolbar
• MSN Toolbar
• AOL 8.0 and later
• Safari browser
• Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 2
• Mozilla browser
• Netscape browser
• Firefox browser