This Technical and Readiness Requirements guide outlines the essential technical requirements, digital literacy expectations, and accessibility standards for participating in online programs at West Virginia University.
- Student Readiness and Digital Literacy
To succeed in an online academic environment, WVU Online students must demonstrate a foundational level of reading competency and computer literacy. Students are expected to:
- Communicate effectively in writing (including asynchronous communication via email, discussion boards, etc.)
- Meet published assignment deadlines
- Navigate and participate in online learning independently or with the assistance of appropriate support resources
If a student uses assistive technology (AT) for access to educational content, they
must be proficient in the use of that technology or seek support/training to ensure
they can interact with course materials, complete assignments, and communicate
with instructors and peers effectively.All students should be able to
- Create and format documents in Microsoft Word (headings, bullets, tables)
- Rename and save files in various formats (e.g., .pdf, .docx, .rtf)
- Access and create presentations (e.g., PowerPoint)
- Use email to send and receive messages, including attaching/downloading files
- Conduct research using internet search engines (e.g., Google, Bing)
- Download and install software as needed
- Use a webcam and microphone for virtual meetings (Zoom, Teams, etc.)
- Open, read, and print PDF files
- Technical Equipment and Software Recommendations
Students are responsible for maintaining their own internet access. A high-speed
internet connection is strongly recommended to ensure reliable access to course
content, video conferencing, and assignment submission. Students must ensure that
their devices and internet connections meet the minimum standards below to prevent
disruption to learning. While some tasks may be performed on mobile devices or
tablets, Students must have a desktop or laptop computer available to them regularly,
and it should be used as their primary device for accessing and engaging with WVU
eCampus (Blackboard).
Recommended Minimum Specifications:
PC Minimum Requirements (Windows PC)
- Computer: Desktop or laptop (no more than 5 years old)
- Processor: Intel i5 Core (11th generation or newer) processor (Intel i7 Core Processor for STEM programs/preferred)
- Memory (RAM): Minimum 8 GB for general use (16 GB or more for STEM programs/preferred)
- 256GB SSD storage (minimum)
Mac Minimum Requirements
- MacBook Air or MacBook Pro installed with current macOS
- Apple M2 or M3 Processor (or newer)
- 8GB unified memory (minimum)
- 256GB SSD storage (minimum)
Other Technical Requirements
- Internet Connection: At least 512 Kbps (high-speed broadband preferred)
- PDF Reader: Adobe Acrobat Reader or similar
- Browser Requirements: JavaScript enabled; current versions of Chrome or Firefox recommended
- Word Processor: Microsoft Word 2021 or newer (Office 365 is free for WVU students)
- Audio/Video: Functional sound card, speakers, webcam, and microphone
- Recommended Accessory: Headphones
- Accessible Assistive Technology: Students using screen readers, text-to-speech tools, or other AT must be proficient with those tools on a level allowing them to meet the readiness and digital literacy requirements outlined in this standard.
- Accessibility and Support
WVU Online is committed to providing accessible and inclusive learning environments.
To support this:
- Course Design Consistency: All online courses should use a standardized accessible template that features consistent navigation. Students should always know where to locate key materials such as syllabi, readings, rubrics, assignments, and grades. All WVU eCampus courses have access to Blackboard Ally, which provides faculty real-time feedback on improving accessibility.
- Faculty Training: WVU encourages and supports ongoing training for faculty on accessibility best practices, including the creation of accessible course materials (documents, videos, quizzes, etc.).
- Program-Specific Technical Standards and Readiness Requirements
Some online programs may have additional readiness requirements, technical standards
or software requirements. These may include:
- Discipline-specific software (e.g., statistical tools, video editing suites, simulation platforms)
- Remote proctoring tools or secure browsers for exams
- Virtual labs or collaborative platforms