Course Delivery Mode Information

Distance Education, Hyflex, Blended and Alternate Delivery Info

Distance Education Delivery

Courses designated DE (distance education) are delivered fully online and in an asynchronous format. All course activities and assessments have been intentionally designed for online learning.

Examinations will be online and may use invigilation tools such as Respondus.

HyFlex Delivery

Courses designated as HyFlex will allow students to attend class in person or participate virtually via a live streaming platform such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Students may choose to attend in person or virtually depending on their circumstances.

Assessments: Regardless of attendance options, students will receive identical examinations, assignments, and evaluations. Examinations will be online and may use invigilation tools such as Respondus.

Blended Delivery

A course with blended delivery involves a combination of in-person and online classes (synchronous or asynchronous), both of which students are expected to attend.

Alternative Delivery

Alternate delivery encompasses a variety of educational technologies by which courses are taught remotely outside a classroom. Examples of alternate delivery include live online lectures, pre-recorded lectures, online discussions, and narrated PowerPoint presentations. Alternate delivery also means that course assessments will be conducted remotely through online quizzes and tests, video and audio presentations, in addition to the electronic submission of projects and assignments.

To be successful in your studies this fall we recommend the following technical requirements:

Technical Requirements

To be successful in an online course, it's important to have a high-speed Internet connection along with the proper computer system and software. If you do not have these technical requirements, you may want to consider upgrading your personal computer or using another computer—on campus or at your local library. As well, follow this quick system check to determine if your computer is set up correctly to participate.

You are strongly encouraged to download, install and test system and browser requirements prior to the beginning of your course(s). Please ensure the device you are using has done all of its current updates so that browsers are updated.

System & Browser Recommendations

Operating System
Processor
Intel i3 or equivalent; 2GHz or higher
Memory
4 GB of RAM minimum (8 GB of RAM or higher recommended)
Hard Drive
5 GB free disk space
Browser

Chrome is the preferred browser.

Cookies and JavaScript must be enabled.

Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from University of Guelph websites.

Plug-ins
Internet Connection

Broadband (cable or DSL) connection recommended.

Web conferencing - at least 20 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload

Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor - at least 5 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload, but this tool will adjust the video quality depending on connection speeds

Test internet speed.

Video Resolution

Resolution capable of at least 1280 × 1024 or larger

Dual monitor is recommended

Webcam and Sound

Built-in or external webcam and microphone required for courses that have exams proctored through Respondus LockDown Browser. Also, some courses may involve students making use of the web conferencing software; for these courses, a headset with a microphone is required. (A video camera may be required.)

A headset is recommended to avoid audio feedback.

Scanner

Some courses require students to have immediate access to a scanner or copier to create PDF files that can be emailed or uploaded to the dropbox of CourseLink (e.g., complex formulas for assignments). A device capable of taking a picture, such as a cell phone, may suffice.

Please Note: Immediate local access to a printer is an asset when students are writing formulas.

*If you are using Windows 10 and it does not have the ESU, it may work in the interim, but we are unable to provide support without this update.

System & Software Requirements

To help ensure you have the best learning experience possible, please review the list of system and software requirements outlined below.

Modern Desktop Web Browser
  • Microsoft Edge (latest)
  • Mozilla Firefox (latest)
  • Google Chrome (latest)
  • Apple Safari (latest)
Mobile
  • Android (Chrome – latest)
  • iOS (Safari, Chrome – latest)
  • Windows (Edge, Chrome, Firefox – latest)
Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor 
  • A built-in or external webcam and microphone is required.
  • Internet connection should be at least 5 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload, but this tool will adjust the video quality depending on connection speeds. Test internet speed.
  • Visit the Respondus Technical Support page for additional resources.
Windows
  • 11 and 10*
  • *Includes x86 32 and 64bit processors and ARM 64bit processors using x86 emulation
    *Windows 10/11 "S mode" is not a compatible operating system, nor can LockDown Browser be obtained via the Windows App Store. At present, support for Windows 10/11 "S Mode" isn’t on the roadmap for LockDown Browser.
Mac
  • macOS 10.12 to 12.0+. macOS 13.0 "Ventura" is not yet a compatible operating system.
iPadOS
  • 11.0+ (iPad only)
  • Must have a compatible LMS integration
Memory
  • Windows: 2 GB RAM (A minimum 4gb of available RAM is necessary when using LockDown Browser to take an exam that also uses a webcam.)
  • Mac: 2 GB RAM (A minimum 4gb of available RAM is necessary when using LockDown Browser to take an exam that also uses a webcam.)
CourseLink Technical Support 

Please contact CourseLink Support for all courses that use the CourseLink online learning management system:

 

Phone and Email Hours: 

  • Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.

 

Online Exams

For those students who will have a mid-term or final exam on-line, important information on how to download on-line exam software can be found at: Online Exam Information. Students are strongly encouraged to view this page as soon as possible.