Using AOL as a provider for Learndirect courses

 

AOL provide their own version of Internet Explorer (IE) that has been stripped out and re-coded to build in all of the AOL security and functionality.  This browser is not currently compatible with Learndirect and many other online training due to the security measures incorporated into the AOL version.  Learners needing to circumvent this issue can do so by using the Windows version of Internet Explorer that will be present on their system but not defaulted to be used for Internet browsing.  If there is no other version of IE then one can be obtained from magazine cover disks, version 5.5 or later is much the better one from a performance perspective.

 

Finding Windows IE

 

  1. Click on Start button and go to either Search or Find.

 

 

 

  1. Click to Search/Find a file called IExplore.exe (it will have a  next to it once found). Make sure you set the search to look in Local Hard Drives.

 

 

 

  1. A search window will pop up and you will see a progress indicator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. When the file is found you will see the following or similar depending upon version of Windows used.

  


     
  1. Right Click on the IEXPLORE application (it says application on the right of the window under the column Type) and select Send to Desktop (as a shortcut) from the menu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. You now have a shortcut to the Windows Internet Explorer program and it is this that you need to use for Learndirect.  It would be wise to rename this shortcut now. Select shortcut on desktop and right click and select Rename, now type in suitable name and press enter key.

              

  1. To access your online course material you will need to get onto the Internet as usual (via AOL) and then double click the new shortcut and another version of IE will start up and immediately “piggy back” onto your AOL connection.  This will allow you to use Learndirect courses.

 

NOTE:  Some courses need some extra code (often referred to plugins or players) installed to allow them to run with all of the functionality.  These plugins/players need to be installed into the Windows version of IE and your tutor can help with this.