What do I need?

Snapshot

There are a few requirements to completing an online qualification, the first of these is the drive and will to learn, at your own pace, within a friendly, flexible environment. If you have this commitment then you are well on your way. If you are completing the E-recognition process or completing a partial or full qualification you will need to check any pre-requisite needs of your chosen qualification. If there is don't be scared, we will help you through this.

To undertake any e-learning you will need daily access to a computer with the peripheral hardware and software, in addition to broadband internet access (or equivalent) as detailed below.

Some basic skills in the use of Word Processing software, Email and be familiar with the use of an internet browser are essential. You will be amazed at how quickly your skills will grow.

Should you have any questions please contact us

 Technical Capacity

Below is some information on the recommended minimum requirements that your computer should meet (together with links to download sites for some of the software).

Recommended minimum specifications:

A computer that can run Windows 98/Me/XP/Vista or Mac OSX or higher.

Operating System:

Minimum: Pentium III or higher, 256 MB RAM, 300 MB free disk space, CD-ROM, mouse, Broadband Internet connection, anti-virus software (current), most current version of a Web browser.

Browsers (at least one from the list below)

Internet Explorer 6 or higher (download from here)

Firefox 2 or higher (download from here)

Netscape – support for netscape has been withdrawn by the developer, please read here. Please consider the advice given.

Software:

Microsoft Office 2000/XP/ Vista

Adobe Acrobat Reader at or above Version 9.0

(download the latest version here )

Additional Resources that MAY be of use, not essential.

Optimum: Pentium IV or higher, 1 GB RAM, 1 GB free disk space, CD-ROM, Mouse, Broadband Internet connection, anti-virus software (current), laser or inkjet printer, most current version of a Web browser, backup device, Windows XP (or higher)

Peripherals:

Scanner

Headphones or speakers

Microphone 

Webcam

Software:

Skype – VOIP/Net Conferencing (download the latest version here )

Anti-virus software

Step 2: Recommended Bandwidth speed:

A connection speed of 128K will give you a reasonably fast connection to the internet and will cause little delays with downloads of large files, such as electronic reading or podcasts and give you acceptable speeds for low quality audio streams. Video streaming (such as video conferencing) or high-quality audio streams may not be possible.

A connection speed of 256K higher should give you sufficient bandwidth for all online teaching tools used at the AIFL.

Being an online course in the first instance candidates:

· Should have good access (daily) to a computer with good computing speed, internet explorer, e-mail and word processing applications and connected to high speed internet

· Must be competent, at least to a basic level, users of the all of the above applications