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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 7 and newer
  •  Mac OSX 10.10 or newer
  • Linux – chromeOS

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

Canvas supports the last two versions of every browser release. We highly recommend updating to the newest version of whatever browser you are using as well as the most up-to-date Flash plug-in.

As of May 1, 2020, we support the following versions of Flash and popular web browsers:

  • Chrome 80 and 81
  • Safari 12 and 13 (Macintosh only)
  • Firefox 74 and 75 (Extended Releases are not supported)
  • Edge 80 and 81

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 contains 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.

Required Components

Flash is required in several places in Canvas: media recording/streaming and viewing as well as uploading files to a course or an assignment. Other than these features, Flash is not required to use most areas of Canvas. Please note that some browsers, such as Firefox, may no longer support Flash.

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.

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 anyway link.

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 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, clicking the Keep Blocking drop-down menu.
  3. Select the Disable Protection on This Page option.

Canvas on Mobile Devices

Canvas is not officially supported on mobile browsers. We recommend using Canvas mobile applications for an improved user experience. (Note: At this time, Canvas apps are only available in English.)

Since Canvas uses small elements of Flash, not all Canvas features may be supported on mobile devices, especially on iOS.

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 that opens from Canvas)
  • Chrome

Android

  • Firefox
  • Chrome

Note: Android default browser varies per mobile device.