Technology Requirements and Recommendations for Sora Students

Updated over 2 weeks ago

Is Your Device Supported? Check here!

For New Students

Make sure that you have a device that meets our technology recommendations before you start school. Parents, you can also find this information on Heartbeat.

Here's a quick recap of what you need to know:

• Tablets are not recommended as a primary Sora device due to software restrictions. Mobile devices like cell phones are not supported as a primary device. Contact techsupport@soraschools.com for information on alternatives to tablets and mobile devices.

• Make sure that your device is able to support its most recent operating system (so it can install necessary security updates).

Using Chromebooks/ChromeOS

We’re actively working to improve the experience for students using ChromeOS devices.

• Recent updates to Sora Home and Zoom’s new ChromeOS app have brought greater stability, and we’ll continue to make improvements wherever possible.

• While success at Sora is certainly possible on a Chromebook, we recommend having access to a Mac or Windows device for the best overall experience.

• Please note that full support for ChromeOS is still limited at this time.

• Contact techsupport@soraschools.com if you'd like more guidance about using Chromebooks at Sora.

Hardware and Operating System Minimum Recommendations

Students need a computer to successfully participate in the Sora program. The minimum hardware recommendations for the Sora Program are as follows:

Windows

• Operating System: Windows 7+ (Windows 10+ recommended)

• CPU: Intel/AMD processor with OpenGL 4.4 / DirectX12 level GPU

• RAM: 4GB of RAM

• Storage: 10 GB of free storage space

• Recommended Browser: Google Chrome

macOS

• Operating System: macOS 10.11+ (macOS 10.14+ recommended)

• CPU: Intel processor with OpenGL 4.4 / DirectX12 level GPU ( Apple M-series chips work too)

• RAM: 4GB of RAM

• Storage: 10 GB of free storage space

• Recommended Browser: Google Chrome or Safari

Internet Connection

Sora recommends a broadband connection of at least 10 Mbps to properly access Sora’s learning resources. You may go here to perform a speed test: https://www.speedtest.net.

Mobile Devices for Learning at Sora

Unfortunately, mobile devices such as tablets and phones cannot be used as a primary device for accessing Sora because they do not support all the necessary software products.

Software Needed on Day 1

Learn more about being day 1 tech-ready for Sora here.

• Google/Gmail (your account login information will be sent to the parent/guardian email so you can help your student log in to start the onboarding process)

• Make sure you are logged in and have your password saved somewhere safe! Contact techsupport@soraschools.com if you need to have your password reset.

• Zoom (download and install + test to see if you can connect to a meeting)

• You will be able to access Sora Expeditions and House meetings via your Sora Google Account! You won't need a separate Zoom account for Sora expeditions or meetings.

• Heartbeat (download and install the Heartbeat native app, or keep Heartbeat as a tab in the browser you use for other Sora websites)

• Parents and students will be emailed an invitation to access the Sora community before the first day of school.