Skip to main content

UCF Statement on Student Use of Technology

The University of Central Florida expects all students to have ready access to a personal computer and software appropriate to his or her field of study. Students can meet this expectation by purchasing or leasing a computer, sharing a computer with family or roommates, or using a UCF student computer lab. All UCF students should expect to use a personal computer in many university activities, including coursework, accessing library information, registering for classes, and communicating with instructors and fellow students.

In addition, many UCF courses require access to the internet. UCF has developed one of the nation’s most advanced campus technology environments, and all UCF students are provided with free email accounts and internet access. Students wishing to acquire a personal computer are strongly advised to consider a notebook computer with a wireless networking card.

What Do You Need to Have for An Online Course?

Specific hardware and software requirements vary by department and course, so check with your instructor. At a minimum, you will need the following:

It is important to prepare your computer to operate in the Webcourses@UCF environment. Please make the following adjustments to your computer:

Supported Operating Systems

  • Windows 7 or newer
  • Mac OS X or newer

Downloads

To ensure a successful online learning experience with your course, make sure you have the required downloads and plug-ins.

Some of the most commonly used downloads and plug-ins include:

Please review your course syllabus or contact your instructor for a list of any additional required plug-ins for your class.

Check Browser Settings

Webcourses@UCF is a platform that relies on your internet browser to display content. It is important that you configure your browser correctly so it will function properly with Webcourses@UCF, allowing you to fully benefit from the online experience.

  • Make sure that you are using a supported browser to access Webcourses@UCF (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari).
  • Enable JavaScript in your browser.
  • Enable Cookies for the Webcourses@UCF site.
  • Enable pop-up windows for the Webcourses@UCF site.
  • Add Webcourses@UCF as a trusted site.

Mixed Content

Trusted Sites

Occasionally, you may see a message indicating that Webcourses@UCF is not a trusted site. You can set your browser to make Webcourses@UCF a trusted site by following these instructions (instructions may vary depending on browser):

Internet Explorer

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. On the menu bar, select Tools > Internet Options.
  3. Select the Security tab at the top.
  4. Click the Trusted Sites icon.
  5. Then select the Sites button.
  6. Uncheck the box next to Require Server Verification…
  7. In the Add this website to the Zone box, type https://webcourses.ucf.edu
  8. Click Add.
  9. Click Close.
  10. Then click OK to close the Internet Options window.

Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Click the Firefox Menu and select Options.
  3. Select the Security tab.
  4. In the first section click the Exceptions button.
  5. Type https://webcourses.ucf.edu
  6. Click Allow.
  7. Click Close.
  8. Click OK.

Chrome

  1. Click the Chrome Menu icon on the far right of the Address bar.
  2. Click on Settings, scroll to the bottom and click the Show Advanced Settings link.
  3. Click on Change Proxy Settings (under Network)
  4. Click the Security tab > Trusted Sites icon, then click Sites.
  5. Enter the URL of your Trusted Site, then click Add.
  6. Click Close > OK.

Safari

Currently, Safari does not have an option to set permanent trusted sites. Whenever you visit Webcourses@UCF, be sure to click OK when asked whether or not Webcourses@UCF is a trusted site.

Pop-up blockers

Pop-up blockers can cause a variety of problems if not configured appropriately. For Webcourses@UCF to function properly, your browser must allow pop-up windows from the Webcourses@UCF server. If you cannot view a discussion posting, quiz or have difficulty opening links, read through the support page linked below and follow the instructions: Troubleshooting Your Pop-Up Blocker Problems

Cookies

Cookies are small pieces of data that are sent by a web server (in our case, the Webcourses@UCF server) to a browser. The browser sends that cookie back each time it accesses the server.

Cookies are used by Webcourses@UCF for authentication purposes and must be enabled for your browser to access Webcourses@UCF. If cookies are not enabled, you may be improperly authenticated and could experience technical issues. At a minimum, session cookies must be enabled for access to Webcourses@UCF.

Problems resulting from cookies being disabled include:

  • Inability to login
  • Ending up on the wrong login screen
  • Getting kicked out of Webcourses@UCF and having to login again

The Browser Checker will check for cookie problems and provide a link to information about enabling cookies.

Adware/Spyware

If your browser is having problems displaying Webcourses@UCF, you may have an adware problem. Adware, advertising-supported software, automatically plays, displays or downloads advertising to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used.

If you suspect that you have an adware problem, contact UCF Service Desk at 407-823-5117 or servicedesk@ucf.edu.