The University of West Florida prepares students for success by ensuring they have the essential technology skills and access needed for academic, professional, and personal development.

This page outlines the basic technical skills, minimum technology requirements, recommended additional software, and important accessibility and privacy information for students enrolled at UWF.

Minimum Technical Skills

All UWF students are expected to:

  • Activate and access their ArgoNet account

  • Log in to the MyUWF portal at least 2–3 times per week

  • Check their UWF Gmail account at least 2–3 times per week

  • Demonstrate basic word-processing skills (e.g., formatting a document, saving/uploading files)

Online and hybrid students should also be able to:

  • Navigate the web using a browser

  • Download files from the web

  • Upload and attach files to send to others

Additional technical skills and technology requirements may vary by college, department, and course. Student use of UWF information technology resources is governed by the Computing Resources Usage Agreement and the Student Communications Policy.


Minimum Technology Requirements for Online or Hybrid Courses

Students should have reliable access to:

  • A laptop or desktop computer (tablets and smartphones may not be sufficient for all activities)

  • Broadband internet connection

  • A compatible web browser (see below)

  • Audio input (built-in or external speakers)

  • Recommended: Webcam (internal or external)

Tip: A laptop or desktop computer is strongly recommended for coursework. Mobile devices and tablets may not fully support Canvas or testing tools.

Web Browser Requirements

Canvas supports the latest versions of major browsers. Please review Canvas Web Browser Requirements for an updated list of compatible browsers.

Supported Operating Systems

Canvas only requires an operating system that can run the latest compatible web browsers. Your computer operating system should be kept up to date with the latest recommended security updates and upgrades.

Additional Software You May Need

Some courses may require additional free software. Review your course syllabus and check with your instructor if you have questions about technology needs.

Examples of commonly used software include:

Tip: VLC Media Player is highly recommended as it can play most audio and video formats, including .mov files.

Access to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace

UWF provides students with free access to a full suite of productivity tools to support their academic work.

Using either Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace ensures you have the tools needed for creating, submitting, and collaborating on assignments.

Digital Accessibility

The University of West Florida supports an accessible environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. If there are aspects of your experience with the University that hinder your full participation, the University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations.

If you encounter barriers to your full participation in courses, contact Student Accessibility Resources (SAR) for support and accommodations.

Additionally, review the Accessibility Statements for Required and Other Potential Technologies in UWF Courses to learn how these UWF-vetted tools meet accessibility standards.

SA-19.03-05/18

Privacy Statements

Students are encouraged to review the Privacy Statements for Required and Other Potential Technologies in UWF Courses for technologies used in their courses. These policies explain how your data is collected, used, and protected.

Need Help?

For assistance with university technology tools:

For help with eLearning (Canvas), visit eLearning Help for Students, or call the 24/7 Canvas Support Hotline: 1-844-866-3349.