Standard 5: Course Resource Requirements

Hardware, software, or specialized resources required are clearly communicated to the students.

Many courses have specialized technical requirements or include resources outside the learning management system. These specific requirements and/or access to these resources must be communicated to students.

Required evidence that this standard has been met includes:

  • Technical standards meet Penn State’s minimal requirements:
  • Technical and media requirements that exceed minimum technical or University recommendations are clearly communicated to the students by listing them in the course syllabus and other appropriate means.
  • Access to course resources, including textbooks, videos, CD/DVDs, etc. which may not be available online is clearly communicated to the students in the course syllabus and by other appropriate means.

Suggested Best Practices:

  • Post the specific technical requirements in a publicly-accessible website well in advance of the start of the course.
  • Send the specific technical requirements to your students via email well in advance of the start of the course.
  • List the specific technical requirements in your course syllabus.
  • Consider alternatives/substitutes to media that have high technical requirements.
  • Textbooks and/or CDs, if used, include titles, authors, publishers, ISBN numbers, copyright dates, and information as to where copies can be obtained.

Resources: