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Technical Requirements

Below are frequently asked questions regarding the technical requirements for online learning at Biola. Most answers can be found on the Canvas Student Guide, a valuable resource when preparing for or troubleshooting an online class.

Where can I find answers to general Canvas user questions?

Consult the Canvas Student Guide to help you find your answers — your professor or the IT department can also assist you.

I need tech support — who do I call?

Click here for Live Chat or to contact IT.

How do I log in to the Canvas learning management system at Biola University to study online classes?

Log in to Canvas using your NetID and password. (Bookmark Biola's Canvas homepage for easy access.)

See the Canvas at Biola site for detailed instructions.

What are the basic computer requirements, including screen readers, needed to study in the Canvas learning management system?

See the Canvas Student Guide for the most up-to-date information on the basic computer specifications for Canvas.

Screen Size

  • Canvas is best viewed at a minimum resolution of 800x600.

Operating Systems

  • Windows 7 and newer (users on Windows 10 need to download the Windows 10 Anniversary Update to submit Canvas assignments)
  • Mac OSX 10.6 and newer
  • Linux — chromeOS

Mobile Operating System Native App Support

  • iOS 7 and newer
  • Android 4.2 and newer

Computer Speed and Processor

  • Use a computer 5 years old or newer when possible
  • 1GB of RAM
  • 2GHz processor

Internet Speed

  • Minimum of 1.5 Mbps

Screen Readers

  • Macintosh: VoiceOver (latest version for Safari)
  • PC: JAWS (latest version for Internet Explorer)
  • PC: NVDA (latest version for Firefox)
  • There is no screen reader support for Canvas in Chrome

What internet browsers can be used to study using Canvas?

Canvas supports the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Flash, Internet Explorer and Edge, Respondus Lockdown Browser, and Safari.

Please see the Canvas guide for details and version recommendations.

Will Canvas work on my mobile device?

Canvas has two mobile apps for students that are free to download, Canvas Student and Polls for Canvas. Outside of the apps, Canvas pages can be accessed in any mobile browser, but they are not supported and may not function as expected.

Please see the Canvas community document on mobile devices for details and more information.

Is Canvas accessibility (508) compliant?

Yes, Canvas has several accessibility features and fully supports multiple screen readers. Please see the Accessibility within Canvas document for more information.

Will I need a webcam and headset or earbuds?

Yes, most online classes at Biola University will require students to interact with the professor and student colleagues through video — both a webcam (built-in or external) and headset will be required. This is mainly to help develop a learning community based upon relationships, but also to facilitate “office hours" for those faculty members who offer them.

What video formats does Canvas support?

The Canvas media player supports H.264 video playback. Below are the preferred, acceptable, and unacceptable formats for video files.

  • Preferred
    • mp4 — Digital Video Format
  • Acceptable
    • 3gp — Digital Video Format
    • m4v — Digital Video Format
    • mpg — Digital Video Format
    • mpeg — Digital Video Format
  • Cannot Use
    • asf — Windows Media
    • avi — Digital Video Format
    • flv — Flash Video
    • mov — Apple Quick Time
    • qt — Apple Quick Time
    • wmv — Windows Media