Steps to setting yourself up for online study
Before you begin your first teaching period with QUT Online, you must have the correct setup. This includes your hardware and software as this can affect your access to certain materials, making studying online a little complicated.
Step 1: Get up to speed
Nothing is more frustrating than slow internet, particularly when you’re about to submit an assignment or trying to chat with fellow students online. Before the teaching period rolls around, check the speed of your internet and ensure you’re running at a standard pace. If you’re unsure whether your internet speed is right, contact your internet provider to discuss further.
Tip: Make sure you have enough data allowance. We recommend around 30GB of data per month for your studies.
Step 2: Buy the right hardware
When you study online with QUT you study in an environment that is designed specifically for the online space. There are interactive quizzes, videos and many opportunities to chat online with your Online Learning Advisors (OLAs) and fellow students.
To get the most out of this content, make sure your laptop or desktop computer is equipped with:
- Speakers or headphones
- Web camera
- Microphone
Tip: If you’ve had your computer for a while and think it’s time for an upgrade, it might be the right time to do so! Starting your learning journey with a new laptop will alleviate the stress of thinking your laptop is about to crash.
Step 3: Download the right software
Your course gives you access to a range of learning materials in all formats and sizes, including videos, audio files and PDFs. To make sure you can view and use all your learning materials, please download the following software:
- Adobe Reader for PDF files
- VLC media player for all audio and video files
Step 4: Upgrade your operating system
We’ve all ignored a message to upgrade our computer operating system at one time or another. However, when you’re studying online, you want to ensure your computer is in the best condition possible. If you’re running an old operating system, some learning materials may be difficult to access.
To ensure you don’t come across any issues, you need the following operating systems:
Mac: OSX Version 10.7
PC: Windows 7
Step 5: Choose your browser
All web browsers are not made equal. And when your browser will be the gateway to your online classroom, you want to choose well. If you’re not using one of these already, we suggest downloading Chrome or Firefox for the best experience.
Tip: Unsure what system your device is operating on? Visit ‘What’s My Browser’ for a quick system check.
Still not clear on some aspects or need help sourcing software or hardware? Reach out to one of our support members who will give you all the information you need to succeed in your online course.
