As a basic rule, a student considering an online education must have first and foremost easy access to the World Wide Web, and of course a working knowledge of how to navigate through the Internet. With the promise of wider accessibility as compared to traditional classes, online ones are predominantly done through the computer, most of the assignments and exercises require online research and the interaction dependent on the level of participation of the students. So it is a bare minimum requirement for a student enrolling for an online class to be computer-literate.

Online schools usually ask students to determine their level of computer literacy before they are admitted to the course. There are online schools that check your system remotely to ensure you have all the software and plug-ins you would need. As well, they will provide you with information about their system requirements – minimum requirements might be a Windows 98 operating system for PC, OS X 10.3.9 for Mac, a storage capacity of 40GB or more, an Internet connection with at least 56 kbps speed, an Internet browser (Internet Explorer 5.5 or Firefox 1.5 for PC or Macintosh), an active e-mail account or address, computer peripherals such as a web camera, a printer, CD-ROM, speakers, a sound card, microphone. Since online classes require a lo of writing, a knowledge on Office programs specifically word processing and chart making software would be essential. Other programs that would come handy are Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Flash Player, Quicktime or Real Player (for materials with audio components).

Students are also provided with an orientation on the technical aspects of the course, usually right at the start of the class. Much like a traditional class orientation, a student is briefed through the course – the links for posting questions and messages, the discussion board, the message board, the e-mail system and other icons that may be required for the efficient conduct of the class. You are not expected to be technically proficient or master programs that are not needed for the course, and any plug-in you may not have at the moment will be supplemented by the online school, especially if they have their own course management system. Help options and a help desk (both available through phone or through the Internet) are of course a couple of the resources made available to the student during the class, to ensure that your learning is uninterrupted and you can optimize your time while taking the course.