Setting up your system
These helpful and well-written instructions are provided by Mr. Wes Callihan of Schola Classical Tutorials. Thanks, Wes! See his excellent offering of tutorials at www.scholatutorials.org.
Logging into class
1. Go to https://alexandriatutorials.webex.com.
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 drag 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. 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.)
3. 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.
4. 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")
5. The following two paragraphs are not relevant to our current Webex configuration but are provided in case our call-in configuration changes.
Once you enter the classroom, you will be able to choose which way you want to join the audio part of the conference. You will have three options: “Call Me,” “I Will Call In,” or “Call Using Computer.” You should select the “Call Using Computer” option initially.
Perhaps you cannot hear. Before you panic, go ahead and take the steps recommended on this page on my website.
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.
How to participate in tutorials
Chat
Make sure the "Send To" drop-down box is set to "Everyone" unless you want to send a private message to the tutor about some concern you have. (For example, perhaps you need to leave class early for an appointment with the dentist.)
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. Make sure that all of your chat comments are relevant to the topic at hand.
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. Students often come into class with their microphones on and do not know it. For this reason, make sure you check to make sure your mic is muted; you may not want your fellow students and your tutor to hear the inner workings of your home on your microphone when you don't know it.
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 next to your name in the participant list. The tutor will unmute your mic at the next opportunity. Hit the button again to lower your hand after you are done talking.
a. If you have a headset microphone you should be able to speak if your internal mic is working properly whenever the tutor unmutes your mic.
Advice on Audio Problems
If you cannot hear yourself through your own speakers, or your tutor and your classmates cannot hear you during the class session, it is likely that your microphone is not enabled.
Right click on the speaker icon in the lower right hand corner of the toolbar on the bottom of your screen. Click on “Open Volume Controls”. Check to see if a “microphone” volume control appears as one of the panels. If it does, check to ensure that the mute box is Unchecked AND that the volume slider is up to 1 or 2. That alone might solve your problem.
If there is no volume control for your microphone, go to the Options menu and click on Properties. In the Properties dialog box, the radio button for Playback controls should be checked. Look down the list in the window below for Microphone. Make sure the box for Microphone is checked. Then click the radio button above for Recording. Look again in the window below for the Microphone and check the box. Click “Okay”. The Recording Volume control window appears. Make sure the volume for your Microphone is up to 1 or 2 and that the Mute box is Unchecked. Close that Window. Then right click on the speaker icon in your tooltray again and recheck to make sure that the volume for your mic is up to 1 or 2 and that the Mute box is unchecked. You should be ready to go.
REMEMBER: Please run the Audio Set-Up Wizard (found under the "Communicate" menu in the main Webex Classroom Screen) to make sure that you have your settings adjusted correctly for conferences.
Getting your correct email address
Please make sure that you send me your correct email address. To make sure that your address is correct, simply send a message to yourself and see if it gets to its proper destination! If not, 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 to you.