Software and hardware

Software

Online Learning @ MQ will be using Blackboard CE6 for Open Universities Australia units offered in Study Periods 3 and 4, 2007. Summer and Vacation 2007/08 units will also use Blackboard CE6. All other Macquarie units will be using this version from 2008.

In order to enhance the material and allow the use of advanced interactivity and media, some material may also use features particular to certain browsers and/or require some additional software.

You can check that your software meets Blackboard CE6 standard requirements by using the Browser Tune-up.

Browser

To access and use these online units, we recommend that you use one of the Web browsers listed below, with Java (J2SE 1.5.x or 1.6) installed and security settings to allow per-session cookies, javascript and pop-up windows. To use Blackboard CE6 with security software such as Norton Internet Security or Personal Firewall, you should also add Online Learning @ MQ (http://learn.mq.edu.au) to your trusted sites.

For more information and step-by-step troubleshooting for your computer setup, see the Browser Tune-up. For further assistance with Java installation see this Student Guide. For more help with these settings, contact Student IT Help.

We recommend you use one of the following browsers:

(Note Netscape 6.0 and 6.1, and Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1 are not supported and you should not use them to access these courses. See the Browser Tune-up mentioned above for more details.)

Firefox browsers can be downladed from http://http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/

Microsoft browsers and updates are available from http://www.microsoft.com (follow the "Downloads" link).

Netscape browsers can be downloaded from http://www.netscape.com/ (follow the "Browsers" link).

Browsers are also distributed on CDs attached to many popular computing magazines available from newsagents.

Plugins

A plugin is a program which works with your browser to give added functionality. Some web sites may require that you install one or more of these. The plugins you are likely to require are free and are listed below. These programs are also distributed on CDs attached to many popular computing magazines which are available from newsagents.

Adobe Reader

View, navigate and print PDF files
Download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

Flash

View animation and interactive content
Download from http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/

Java - Sun Microsystems

Run applications and applets that use Java technology. Java is required for Blackboard CE6. For further assistance with Java installation see this Student Guide.
Download from http://www.java.com/

QuickTime

Download or stream audio and video
Download from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

Shockwave

View animation and interactive content
Download from http://www.macromedia.com/go/getshockwaveplayer/

Hardware

The recommended minimum computer requirement is:

A sound card and speakers or headphones may be required for some online unit material.

Access to the Internet

You can access your unit web site from anywhere on the Internet. Access to the Internet is available on-campus, through an Internet Service Provider (ISP), some local libraries, or Internet cafes anywhere in the world. If you can get to sites on the Internet, then you should be able to access your online units.

On-Campus Access

The Internet can be accessed from several places on campus:

Accessing the web site

You can access your online units from http://learn.mq.edu.au/, where you will also find answers to frequently asked questions and help with login problems, or via the myMQ Student Portal. You may also be directed by your unit convenor to login through your Department web site.

Usernames and Passwords

Usernames

Your Online Learning @ MQ username will be your standard Macquarie Student ID Number (an 8-digit number found on your Campus Card).

Open University Australia students will find your Student ID Number in the Confirmation of Enrolment letter included with your Macquarie study package.

Passwords

You will use your myMQ Student Portal password for your CE6 online units.

This will be the original MQID password that was sent to you on enrolment (2 random characters followed by your date of birth in ddmmyy format), unless you have already changed your password in the myMQ Student Portal.

Note that both your username and your password are CaSe SeNsItIvE.

Changing your password

You can change your password for your CE6 online units, e-Reserve and the myMQ Student Portal all in one place at:

https://my.mq.edu.au/

The first time you login to myMQ Student Portal, you will be required to change your password. You will then use this new password to access e-Reserve and your CE6 online units as well as the myMQ Student Portal.

When you have finished using the web site you must log out, or exit or quit your browser. To log out of CE6, click the 'logout' link near the top right of the screen. If you don't log out, or exit or quit your browser, other people can continue to use your account which means they can use your mail, discussions and other course tools.

Using the web site

To use the unit web site you need to:

Browser

If you are not already familiar with using a web browser you can get assistance through IT Help and the Information Technology Training Unit.

It is important that you know how to:

Unit navigation

Once you have reached the web site all you need to do is follow the text and image links. A series of Quick Guides to the tools in CE6, and one about CE6 navigation, are available at http://learn.mq.edu.au/.

To log out click the 'Log out' link at the top right of the screen.

Netiquette

If this will be your first experience participating in online tutorials and discussion groups, you should read the Online Participation Guidelines: Netiquette at
http://learn.mq.edu.au/docs/qgneti.html

Information Technology Rules

There are rules governing the use of computer facilities at Macquarie University. Please take the time to read these:

Note that:

Help

Web site content

If you require assistance with using the teaching materials, or understanding the content, you should contact your course convenor or other teaching staff as appropriate.

Login difficulties (username/password problems)

If you can access the Internet but can't log in to your unit, assistance in diagnosing your problem is available on Online Learning @ MQ at http://learn.mq.edu.au/, in the 'Help' menu, select 'Identifying Access Problems', and then follow the listed steps.

Note that problems related to your enrolment in the online unit must be referred to your course convenor or other teaching staff as appropriate. Student IT Help and the ITS Helpdesk cannot help you with these problems.

Student IT Help

If you require assistance or information about student email accounts, technical problems associated with using the Internet or instructions for using Library Services via the Internet, contact Student IT Help:

Student IT Help
Building C5C Room 244
Web: http://www.library.mq.edu.au/help/ithelp/
Phone: (02) 9850 HELP, (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 063 191 (outside Sydney)
Email: via the Just Ask form at http://www.library.mq.edu.au/justask/

Confidentiality

The password-protected component of your unit's web site is hosted on Online Learning @ MQ. The facility is run by the Centre for Flexible Learning (CFL). Part of the Centre's role is to assist teachers in identifying the needs of students so that course units and teaching resources can be developed in ways that allow students better access to teaching materials and more effective ways of learning and communicating.

Online Learning @ MQ automatically collects two types of information:

  1. Server Usage Information
    The server logs have information on who accesses the site, the location from which the site is accessed, the time and duration of access, and what material is accessed. This information on individuals is available only to CFL specified staff, Deans and Heads of Department, and is used for identifying reported access difficulties, improving server performance and tracing any breaches of security. CFL also uses the information for statistical analysis of access times and locations, and for analysis of other patterns of use. In addition, some summarised information may be available to your convenor, but only after the examination period. In all cases confidentiality is maintained and no information about individuals is released.

    Deans and Heads of Department are responsible for aspects of security relating to IT within their area of responsibility.

  1. General Unit Management Information
    The software your unit is using tracks information about how you use the teaching material. This information is available to your convenor and includes your first and last log in, how much of the course material you have looked at, how many discussion messages you have posted and read, and whether you have read your mail. It is important to note that your convenor cannot read your personal mail or annotations.

If you have concerns about confidentiality, contact your unit's convenor or CFL: