Participating in Online Tutorials
Page Contents:

1. Computer and internet connection requirements
2. Logging into class
3. How to participate in tutorials
4. Microphones, headsets, sound cards, and video cameras
5. Recording class
6. Navigating webpages in the WebEx window
7. Minding your manners in tutorials
8. Maintaining your computer's health
9. Receiving important emails
10. How to Copy and Paste (a very basic and necessary tool of online classroom use)


1. Computer and interent connection requirements

1. Computer: Any good up-to-date computer with speakers and a mic, either PC or Mac, should work fine.

2. Internet connection: a highspeed connection is a must. Dialup connections may work, but they may not; it's marginal at best. If you don't have access to DSL, cable, or wireless where you live, consider satellite -- WebEx (our conferencing system) seems to work well on it.


2. Logging into class

1. Go to https://escondidotutorial.webex.com. (Mr. Hinrichs of Escondido Tutorial Service hosts the conferencing system.)
  Options to make this easier: a) You can make a shortcut on your desktop for this link, so all you have to do next time is doubleclick it. Right click on your desktop, then pick New, then Shortcut. Type the URL into the box. Then pick Next, give it a name, then click Finish.  b) If you wish, you can drap this shortcut down onto your QuickLaunch bar next to the Start button. A single click of the QuickLaunch button will open the site.  c) You can also drag it onto the Start button, keep holding the left mouse button down over the All Programs link till your progams list opens, then drop it wherever you like. You'll still have your desktop icon.

2. Click on the Meeting Center tab.

3. Find the tutor's classroom you want and click Join Now next to it. (If you don't see that particular room, just wait and click the Refresh button on your browser in a minute or two. In WebEx the room doesn't appear until the teacher is there.)

4. Type in your own first and last name and email address and use the password you're given by your tutor. (Use your regular email address, the one you most commonly check.)

A window may open that says, "Preparing Meeting Manager", or "Meeting in Progress", instructing you not to close it, etc. Just wait, the classroom will open on its own.

5. Follow the instructions if WebEx prompts you:  
a. to click on the Information Bar;
b. for permission to install something (like "Active X", which you should accept or it won't work);
c. to run an Audio Test, or to start VoIP (click "yes")

6. As soon as the "Volume" box pops up, check the Mic box to mute your audio.
  Note 1: When you first log into class, it may take a few minutes for the audio to start coming through. Be patient. Watch your name on the participant list; when you first come into the classroom, there will be no mic icon next to your name although you'll see it next to the others who are already there. But when you see a "Volume" box open up and a little mic icon appear next to your name, you will start hearing audio. (If you don't have a highspeed connection, it may take a long time.)

Note 2: if the volume box doesn't open at all, and no mic icon appears by your name after waiting a long time, click on "Communicate" at the top of the WebEx window, then click "Integrated VoIP", then click "Join Conference".
 

On rare occasions you may have to exit and reconnect to fix an audio problem, but beyond that, if you have problems using WebEx, call the webex 24/7 tech support line - 866.229.3239. They are very responsive.  

  3. How to participate in tutorials
  Chat

Make sure the "Send To" drop-down box is set to "All Participants" and not "All Attendees".

To offer a brief comment or question in the chat box, you don't need to ask permission; just type it in, and the tutor will watch the chat box and respond if necessary. If your tutor asks a general question of everyone, type a short answer in the chat box.

Audio

Mute your mic when the "Volume" window opens, which it will do shortly after you join class. Do this by putting a check in the mic box (not the speaker box) in the Volume window.

1. HEARING: You should hear your tutor speaking within a minute or two of logging on (don't panic if you don't hear it right away even though the others do).

2. TALKING: If you wish to ask a question or make a comment using your microphone, click the "raise hand" button below the participant list. (Some tutors may not have you use the "raise hand" button.) The tutor will "pass the mic" to you at the next opportunity. The button will say "Lower hand" now and you can click it again to stop raising your hand. You will only be able to use your microphone if the tutor "passes the mic" to you.
 

a. If you have a headset microphone you should be able to speak automatically (when the mic is passed to you).  You don't need to do anything at all to turn it on and off.

b. If you don't have a headset, or if your audio isn't transmitting to the rest of the class, then you will need to hold the "Control" key down on your keyboard (bottom left-hand corner) when you are speaking.
 


4. Microphones, headsets, sound cards, and video cameras
 

All modern computers already have everything needed to use WebEx built in except a microphone, which you can pick up for around $20 at Wal-Mart, Target, BestBuy, Circuit City, Staples, etc. You do not need a headset but if you would like to use one, below are recommendations for good ones. YOU SHOULD NOT USE A VIDEO CAMERA UNLESS YOUR INSTRUCTOR SPECIFICALLY TELLS YOU TO USE ONE.

Mr. Hinrichs' recommendations:

For headsets, I make the following recommendations.  If you need to be insolated from background noise during class, I recommend the Plantronics audio 360.  For an inexpensive more comfortable headset, try the Plantronics audio 310.  For maximum comfort and clarity, try the Plantronics H251N with Plantronics 28959-01 connector.   All these models can easily be purchased through EBAY.

If you use a desktop (not a laptop), your audio will also be improved by using a Creative Audigy sound card rather than the sound card built into your motherboard.

For video cameras, I recommend the cameras at www.logitech.com that have the 2 megapixel sensor.
 


5. Recording the class

 
To record the entire class (audio, chat, notes, etc.):  
1. At the top of the WebEx window, click Meeting, then click Start Recording.

2. A dialog box will open up in which you can type a file name and choose where you want to save the file. Then click Save.

3. Now click the red button on the little box that opens, to start recording.


You can pause and restart the recording, and you can stop the recording when you're done, using the buttons on the small recording window.

You can also simply save chat. Click File | Save As | Chat,  then name and save it wherever you want.

If you have the Meeting Manager loaded on your computer (which you do if you've been participating in classes) you already have the WebEx Player. File the file you recorded in your directory, double-click it, and it will open and play. (But if you need the Player, you'll find it here. Scroll down to WebEx Player.)
 
 



 

6. Navigating Webpages in the WebEx window
 

If your tutor loads a webpage in the left-side window of WebEx, you can click links on the page as usual. However, you won't find a "back" button, so just right-click on the webpage (in MS Internet Explorer), then left-click "back".
 

7. Minding your manners in tutorials
 

1. Log into the classroom a few minutes early, but no more than 5 minutes early if there is another class before yours, or you will interrupt it. If yours is the first class of the morning or afternoon, you may log on sooner if you wish.

2. When the tutor begins class, stop any unnecessary chatting, and during class limit your chatting to relevant remarks so that the chat box does not become a distraction. Be responsive to your tutor's expectations about the amount of chat allowed.

3. Don't type every thought that comes into your head--many of those thoughts may be interesting to you, but not all that valuable to the class.  Be thrifty with your use of the chat box.  Remember that the verses in Proverbs about many words also apply to typing!
 

In a multitude of words sin is not lacking: but he that restrains his lips is wise.  Proverbs 10:19
He that has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.  Pr. 17:27
Do you see a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.  Pr. 29:20


4. Be careful of the temptation to think you are anonymous. Think before you type. If you blunder in what you say (it happens!), a quick apology can prevent or soothe many an offense. If someone else blunders, have charity--don't be hard on them.

5. If a real problem in conduct arises (it's very, very rare), all tutors follow the in loco parentis principle: we operate under your parents' authority as far as you are concerned, and will immediately report any problem to them which we cannot resolve in class, so that they can take care of it as they think best. We always assume that our students will conduct themselves with Christian charity, courtesy, kindness, and respect, and they almost always surpass our expectations.

 

8. Maintaining your PC's health (Mac users are on their own)

  1.  Keep Windows updated at http://update.microsoft.com.

2.  Make sure you have both a firewall and antivirus software running. The built-in firewall in Windows XP is satisfactory and the one in Vista is even better. However, if you want a different one, try the excellent and free Zonealarm. For antivirus software, there is the equally excellent and free AVG.

3. Have and regularly use antispyware software. Here are three recommended free programs: Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Windows Defender. Run all three.

4. If you want to really work over the security of your PC, you might use this page. The recommendations for Windows XP are detailed and excellent and all of the programs recommended are free. There is now detailed information on the different versions of Vista but nothing yet on Vista security. However, Vista's firewall is excellent; and you should still use antivirus and antispyware software.
 


9. Receiving important emails
 

1. Send the tutor your correct email address. To make sure that your address is correct, send a message to yourself and see if it gets to its proper destination. If it doesn't, call your ISP to clarify your exact address.  Also, to make sure that you have your "Reply to" address correct, try replying to one of your own messages and see if it comes back to you.

2. If you change email addresses, it is very important that you send your tutor your new address immediately.

3. If a parent, rather than the student, receives emails about the students' classes, be sure to forward them to your child's email address (or tell your child the information). It's amazing how often parents who want to be informed don't keep their children informed!

4. If the tutor has a mailing list to which you must subscribe, make sure you subscribe with an email address you regularly check.

5. If you use an email service that has inbox limits, be very sure not to let it fill up or you will lose important emails.
 


10. Copy and Paste
 

This is a very basic and necessary tool of computer use. You can copy text from any open application on your computer screen and paste it anywhere else.

1. Highlight the text you want to copy: drag your cursor over the text (hold down the left mouse button and while holding it down, drag it along the text until everything you want is highlighted, then release the mouse button).

2. Copy the text: hold down the Control key and click the C button (Ctrl + C). Now the text is on your computer's clipboard.

3. Paste it anywhere you like: clicking the left mouse button where you want to put the text, then hold down the Control key and click the V button (Ctrl + V).