An important
aspect of learning online is being able to communicate with the
instructor and class peers. Though you easily participate in this
communication through email and discussion boards in PSU Online
courses, you also have the option to communicate instantly using our
webconferencing tool called Live Classroom.
Live Classroom
is web-based collaboration software designed for online education. The
applications feature live virtual classrooms through audio, video,
application sharing, and content display, enabling instructors to add
important elements of interaction that are not easily provided in a
text-based course. Typical uses of webconferencing in a PSU Online
course might include online lectures or discussion and brainstorming
sessions, office hours, guest lectures, webcasts, and group meetings.
Access to the PSU
Webconferencing system is available within your WebCT course if the
instructor as elected to use this technololgy. Prior to using the
system you should do the following:
Use or purchase
a headset with a microphone that is plugged into your computer sound
card. These headsets cost between $10 and $15 on average. It is
important that you use a headset instead of separate computer speakers
and a microphone so that you don't experience the echoing of your voice
when you speak.
Check your computer configuration with the online wizard
prior to participating in a webconference. Note: This wizard uses
pop-windows so you must turn off any popup blockers to access the
wizard.
Schedule the
webconference time your instructor has set and plan to login five
minutes before it begins to be sure you can hear and see what is going
on.
