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- g-mail and Google+ <\/b>(https:\/\/accounts.google.com\/SignUp<\/a>)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>
\nNot all BU faculty members use the same medium for teaching online courses.\u00a0 Some BU\u00a0instructors use Moodle but, personally, I find Moodle cumbersome.\u00a0 So for this section, I have decided to use a Google+ community.\u00a0 As a result, if you are going to register for this section of the course, you will need to 1) sign up for a Google gmail account (https:\/\/accounts.google.com\/SignUp<\/a>) and then 2) subscribe to Google+.\u00a0 The Google+ membership is needed to access the main communication forum that will be used in this course, notably\u2026
\nGoogle Communities<\/b>\u2013a free Gmail feature that comes free with Google+.
\nGoogleDrive<\/b>\u2013also included as part of your for your free Google e-mail account. This is a great way to do collaboratively written work. Would you believe that two people can edit the same document at the same time?
\nWondering how to join Google+?<\/i>\u00a0 Follow the instruction on this website:
\nhttp:\/\/digitalunite.com\/guides\/social-networking-blogs\/google-plus\/how-join-google-plus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nTo help minimize computer glitches, please tune up your computer by uploading current versions of the software you will be using for this course. Specifically:<\/b><\/p>\n
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- Firefox <\/b>(https:\/\/www.mozilla.org\/en-US\/<\/a>) or other web browser
\n<\/b>Not all browsers are equally trouble-free! The helpdesk at BU recommends you use Firefox\u00a0 (https:\/\/www.mozilla.org\/en-US\/<\/a>). Whichever browser you use, you should upgrade to the latest version that is compatible with your computer.<\/li>\n- Word Processing
\n<\/b>While I don\u2019t like to endorse for-profit software packages, the Microsoft office suite has become the<\/i> de facto standard. Therefore in terms of submitting assignments, you will need to submit word-processed documents in .DOC or .DOCX format. So if you choose to use an alternate word processor, you will need to learn how to convert the documents into RTF, PDF, DOC, or .DOCX format.<\/li>\n- QuickTime<\/b> (http:\/\/www.apple.com\/QuickTime\/download\/<\/a>)
\nYou likely have this on your computer already, but you should really updated to the latest version.<\/li>\n- Adobe Flash Player<\/b> (http:\/\/get.Adobe.com\/flashplayer\/otherversions\/<\/a>)
\nLikewise, you probable have this on your computer already and should also update this to the latest version.<\/li>\n- Skype<\/b>\u00a0 (http:\/\/www.Skype.com\/<\/a>)
\nWhile synchronous class sessions will be held using Google Hangouts, you will be doing assignments in groups of two or three. To this end I suggest that a Skype account may prove very useful.<\/li>\n- Or be brave and try Google Hangouts\u00a0 ! ! !<\/b><\/b> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! ! !<\/i><\/b> <\/i><\/b>Earbuds or a headphone
\n<\/b><\/p>\n - Word Processing
- Firefox <\/b>(https:\/\/www.mozilla.org\/en-US\/<\/a>) or other web browser
![\"earbuds\"](\"https:\/\/people.brandonu.ca\/cockerlineg\/files\/2013\/12\/earbuds.jpg\")
<\/a><\/i><\/b>When you are doing conference calls, audio feedback can be a real problem.\u00a0 Earbuds or a headphone set is highly recommended.<\/i>\u00a0 Over the past few years, laptops have become the main computer for lots of people.\u00a0 Some laptops, however, have a design flaw that creates a significant problem when doing audio conferencing.\u00a0 On some computers, upward facing speakers in the base of the computer direct sound upward toward the mic at the top of the screen.\u00a0 This causes an audio feedback loop that significantly detracts from a satisfying and effective learning environment.\u00a0 Using earbuds or a headset instead of using the computers speakers<\/i> will ensure that you are not the guilty party causing an audio feedback loop.<\/p>\n