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Computer Requirements

Most online courses at Rio Hondo College use a program called Canvas to provide password-protected access to online courses via the Internet. Online courses at Rio Hondo require an Internet connection. Canvas 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 students use are available at various sites on campus. Go to the library  for more information.

If you are taking a course using Canvas, 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 Canvas. Please make sure to run the Browser Diagnostic Test to make sure your computer is configured correctly to run Canvas.

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 Canvas.

Screen Size

Canvas is best viewed at a minimum of 1024×600 (average size of a notebook computer)

Operating Systems

  •  Windows 8.1 and newer
  •  Mac OSX 10.6 or newer
  • Linux – Chrome OS
  • Chromebook – Chrome OS

Computer Speed and Processor

  • 1GB of RAM
  • 2GHz processor
  • Use a computer 5 years old or newer when possible

Internet Speed

Along with compatibility and web standards, Canvas has been carefully crafted to accommodate low bandwidth environments.

  •  Minimum of 512kbps

Screen Readers

  • Macintosh: VoiceOver (latest version for Safari)
  • PC: JAWS (latest version for Firefox)
  • PC: NVDA (latest version for Firefox)
  • There is no screen reader support for Canvas in Chrome

Browser Requirements

As of August 1, 2022, Canvas supports the following versions of popular web browsers:

  • Chrome 102 and 103
  • Safari 14 and 15 (Macintosh only)
  • Firefox 101 and 102 (Extended Releases are not supported)
  • Edge 102 and 103

You should always use the most current version of your preferred browser. Your browser will notify you if there is a new version available.

Note: Safari 13.1 and later versions contain an update that may cause issues with downloading files and displaying images in Canvas.  Canvas engineers are currently working on a solution for this issue.  Until then, you can avoid errors with files and images by disabling cross-site tracking prevention in Safari when using Canvas. If disabling cross-site tracking doesn’t resolve these issues, please try one of the other supported browsers.

Required Components

The Java plug-in is required for screen sharing in Conferences. Please note that some browsers do not support Java. Otherwise, there are no other browser plug-ins used by Canvas.

JavaScript must be enabled to run Canvas.

Update Your Desktop Browser

There are a couple of different ways to update your desktop browser.

  1. Every time you open your browser, it will check to make sure it is using the most current version. If it is not updated, your browser will prompt you with a notification and walk you through the update process.
  2. Download the latest version of your desktop browser directly. Click the name of your browser below to visit your browser’s download page:

Browser Privacy Settings

Some browsers may occasionally make modifications to privacy settings to protect users from possible unsecured content. Unsecured content is identified with the prefix http:// in the URL and can create mixed content in your Canvas Page. Secured content is identified with the https:// prefix in the URL.

If you are using a browser that is affected, please be aware of possible restrictions. The following are known issues in specific browsers that may block or create mixed content within Canvas:

Chrome Security

Google Chrome Security

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1.  Google Chrome verifies that the website content you view is transmitted securely. If you visit a page in your Canvas course that is linked to insecure content, Chrome will display a shield icon in the browser address bar .
  2. You can choose to override the security restriction and display the content anyway by clicking the shield icon and then clicking the Load unsafe script button.

Firefox Security

Firefox Security

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Firefox verifies that the website content you view is transmitted securely. If you visit a page in your Canvas course that is linked to insecure content, Firefox will display a lock with a warning icon in the browser address bar.
  2. You can choose to override the security restriction and display the content anyway by clicking the lock with a warning  icon, clicking the arrow to expand your options.
  3. Select the Disable protection for now button.

Canvas on Mobile Devices

Canvas is not officially supported on mobile browsers. We recommend using Canvas mobile applications for an improved user experience.

Mobile Browsers

Visit the Apple store or the Play store to download mobile browsers. The following major browsers are compatible with mobile devices but Canvas features may not be supported:

iOS

  • Safari (default browser with limited Canvas support)
  • Chrome

Android

  • Firefox
  • Chrome (default browser with limited Canvas support)

Note: Android default browser varies per mobile device.