DoDEA VS: Technical Requirements

DVS students require a laptop or Chromebook to participate in the virtual option, as tablets and phones will provide only limited access to courses and assignments. If a personal laptop or Chromebook is not available, please contact the student's local school. Local schools do not provide devices for home use for students in our supplemental and Expanded Eligibility Pilot Program options.

All courses are delivered via the Schoology Learning Management System (LMS). Schoology requires only a web browser with JavaScript and cookies enabled. All DVS students should have access to a computer/Chromebook (as outlined on this page) to complete their work via Schoology (https://schoology.dodea.edu). Use of the Schoology app on phones and tablets is permissible, but should not be considered as a replacement for a computer/Chromebook. There may be frequent occasions when assignments cannot be completed or submitted on these devices and a computer/Chromebook is necessary.

Please consider the following for any device used to access DVS courses:

1. All students need to have an active DoDEA student Google account as it will be necessary to access Schoology.
2. Reliable Internet access is essential for any work that is to be completed at home.
3. Chrome is the recommended browser for DVS courses.
4. Chromebooks will work with content in all K-8 courses except Gaming Design I/II, which needs Clickteam Fusion.
5. Depending on course enrollment, students enrolled in high school courses may need a laptop (PC or Mac) rather than a Chromebook. Students in courses identified below need to use a laptop (PC or Mac) due to software required to complete the course.
   • AP Computer Science: BlueJ software version 4.2 bundled with the Java JDK (free download for PC and Mac)
   • Java Programming I and Java II: BlueJ software version 4.2 bundled with the Java JDK (free download for PC and Mac)
6. Some courses contain Microsoft Office files. Students can use their DoDEA student Google account to convert them to the appropriate Google file type.
7. Student devices will need sound capability and a microphone (internal or headset) to complete many instructional activities and for students to work with their teachers.
8. A camera (internal or USB) is preferred but not mandatory.