Platform and Software Requirements

Platform Requirements

To access Zenva Schools' courses, a user needs a modern web browser and an internet connection that is fast enough to stream online videos. You can access courses on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. Internet connection speeds can be as low as 378 Kbps to work. However, be aware that slower connections may lead to some amount of video buffering.

It is worth noting that your school's IT department will also need to allow the domains listed in this article in order for our courses to work: What domains does my school need to allow?

Software Requirements

Finding the Software Requirements

All Zenva Schools users can watch videos and complete coding exercises with popular software. Most of the software is free, but a few require a license. Depending on the course, users may need to download software to their devices.

To see the specific software requirements of a course, Teachers or the School Admin should:

Log in to their account.
Hover Courses on the top menu.
Click All Courses

Click a course card to access that course's home page.
On the course page, click OVERVIEW.

Scroll down to Course Requirements, where we describe any requirements for the course if present.

General Overview

While you are encouraged to follow the steps above to find the requirements for each course individually, some general requirements can be found below to give you an idea.

General Operating System Compatibility

To work along with the courses, students are expected to have access to Windows 10/11 or macOS. Chrome OS can work with many courses; however, it is not compatible with Unity, Unreal Engine, and Blender-based courses.

Scratch Courses

The Scratch coding platform can be accessed using any web browser, and it is free to use.

Introductory Python Courses

Python 3.8 or later, and a code editor (Visual Studio Code or Python's built-in IDLE editor are good choices we recommend). Python and Visual Studio Code are free and open source. If needed, information on installing them can be found here:

Python Data Science Courses

Python 3.6 or later, and any code editor. Additional libraries can be installed directly into Python, or the Anaconda free Python environment. Python and Anaconda are free. If needed, information on installing them can be found here:

MySQL-based Courses

Courses using MySQL will require XAMPP to work, which can be downloaded for free.

Unity Courses

The current LTS version of Unity. Unity is free for school usage. If needed, information on installing Unity can be found here: How to Install Unity

HTML, CSS, & JavaScript Courses

A code editor (free Visual Studio Code is recommended) and a web browser. Alternatively, an online editor like JS Bin can be used. If needed, information on installing Visual Studio Code can be found here:

Blender Courses

Blender 2.9 or later. Blender is free and open source. If needed, information on installing Blender can be found here: How to Install Blender

Photoshop Courses

Photoshop CC, which requires a subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud. For more information for schools, Adobe's information regarding the topic.

Excel Courses

Microsoft Excel 2019 or later. Microsoft Excel is part of the Microsoft Office suite of products.

Godot Courses

The Godot game engine is required for these courses. Godot is free and open source. If needed, information on installing Godot can be found here: How to Install Godot

Unreal Engine Courses

Unreal Engine 5 is required for these courses. Unreal Engine is free for schools to use. If needed, information on installing Unreal Engine can be found here: How to Install Unreal Engine

Roblox Courses

Roblox Studio is required for these courses. Roblox Studio is completely free. If needed, information on installing Roblox Studio can be found here: How to Install Roblox Studio

GameMaker Courses

GameMaker is required for these courses. GameMaker is free for non-commercial purposes. If needed, information on installing GameMaker can be found here: How to Install GameMaker