Online Readiness

Please visit the California Community College's Online Education Initiative: Online Ready website.

Basic Computer Requirements

Having regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection is required. You will need a word processing program capable of saving word formats such as .doc, .docx or .pdf.

Check out the technical requirements for your computer and browser in order to maximize Canvas functionality: Test your computer's readiness

If you need assistance, contact the IT Help Desk. The hours of operation vary during the school year.

NOTE: It will be important to have an active College of the Desert email account.

Plug-ins and Helper Applications

There may be plug-ins and helper applications to download that support the Canvas environment and play multimedia such as:

Browser Support

While Chrome is the preferred browser for most Canvas interactions, Canvas supports the latest versions of every browser release. It's highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using as well as the most up-to-date Flash plug-in. Check out the Canvas Browser Support page for the most recent information.

Contacting the Canvas Help Desk:

You can search the Canvas Guides or contact the Canvas Support Helpline by clicking the Help icon (circle with a question mark) in the Account menu.