Equipment and System Requirements

Written By Reshma Kader

Last updated 2 days ago

Equipment and System Requirements

To participate in a virtual session, you will need:

  • Computer or tablet with access to a fast internet connection

  • Camera, compatible with your device

  • Browser: Google Chrome (recommended), Firefox, Safari, or IE 10 or above

  • Microphone, video capability, and speakers (external or built-in)

  • Zoom (see info below; for all technical requirements for Zoom, visit https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us)

Testing Your Technology

Please follow these steps prior to your session to help make sure connecting goes smoothly. If you're unable to complete a step or have questions, click here to schedule a quick tech setup session or email support@pathful.com.

  1. Install Zoom. If you've used Zoom before on your computer or device, you can skip this step. If you need to download or make sure you have the latest version, you can download and install it here: Zoom Download Center or Chrome Extension.

  2. Check Your Connection. Go to http://zoom.us/test to get a 5 minute test meeting.

  3. Test Your Speaker and Microphone. Click on the audio menu and select Test Speaker & Microphone. The test screen will walk you through the steps for testing both your speaker and microphone.

    test_speaker_and_mic.jpg




    test_audio_2.gif

  4. Test Video. Click on the red slash to make yourself visible. If you need to check your video settings, click on the arrow to the left of the camera icon and select “Video Settings“. You should be able to see yourself in the test screen. If there is no camera icon, this means that Zoom is unable locate a camera on your device.

    You also have the option to chose virtual background or blur your background.

More Useful Information

Is your bandwidth quick enough? Slow bandwidth can cause latency, frozen screen, poor audio, or getting disconnected. If you want to test your speed, go to http://www.speedtest.net/. Be sure your upload and download speeds are consistently greater than 1.5 Mbps. If your test shows you are below this, please schedule an appointment with tech support so we can briefly meet and assist you.

Please note that we ask that you have the ability to put the students/classroom on camera (all students and any identifying information is removed from all sessions) as this allows for a more interactive and personalized session between the students and professional.

It is also helpful if you are able to broadcast the sound so students can hear the professional.