Use Live Classroom

Some of Boston University’s Blackboard Vista classes use a program called Wimba Live Classroom for conducting live interactive online classes. These live online classes are used so that students, facilitators and instructors can text and video conference.

The following is a brief overview of the Wimba Live Classroom tool. For a full outline of all of the features, please see the Wimba Live Classroom support documentation. Wimba Technical Support can be reached at 1-877-382-2293.

These steps below are for both Windows and Mac OS X users.

  1. Run the Live Classroom Set Up Wizard to ensure that your computer is ready to use the Wimba Live Classroom software.
  2. Log into Vista and go to your “My Vista” page.
  3. In your Course List, click the link to your Live Classroom.
  4. The Live Classroom will open in a new window.
    liveclassroom

Content Frame

The Content Frame is the main focus of a presentation. A lot of the content, such as images, charts, and web pages will appear in the Content Frame. During the presentation, the displayed content will be controlled by the presenter.

Media Bar

The Media Bar appears above the Text Chat Area. It is home to the WimbaMedia System, a multi-way audio and video means of communication during a live presentation. Additional info…

liveclassroom-network NetStats: Network statistics about your Internet connection. The more green bars, the better your connection.
liveclassroom-talk Talk button: Initiates your microphone and video broadcast (if the Video Window is raised and you have opted to transmit video). You can also hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard to talk.
liveclassroom-sounds Volume meters: Colored bars indicating that you are sending/receiving audio.
liveclassroom-video Camera button: Raises/lowers the Video Window. In the Video Window there are three buttons at the bottom.
liveclassroom-stoptransmitting liveclassroom-starttransmitting Start/Stop transmitting video: Enables/disables your camera/video device.
liveclassroom-hidepreviewvideo liveclassroom-showpreviewvideo Show/Hide preview video: Provides a live, mirror-image representation of your video image.
liveclassroom-displayfullvideo Display video full screen: Increases the size of the broadcast to take over your full screen. To restore the window size, either press the Esc key on your keyboard, or double-click your screen.
liveclassroom-phone Telephone Simulcast: Backup option if you do not have a headset or microphone.
liveclassroom-options Options Menu: Advanced audio/video settings.

Text Chat Area

The Text Chat Area is where you can communicate via text chat with presenters and fellow participants. There are two methods of chat messaging, Public or Private. Additional info…

Send a Public Chat Message
  1. In the To: pull-down menu of the Text Chat Area, ensure that “Main Room” is selected. (If you do not see “Main Room” listed, you do not have permission to send public messages).
  2. Type your message and press the Enter key on your keyboard. Your message will appear in the Text Chat Area. You will see the words, “You say”preceding messages that you send. Messages sent by other participants are preceded by their name.
Send a Private Chat Message
  1. In the To: pull-down menu of the Text Chat Area, select the designated person’s name. Presenters are listed directly below “Main Room,” followed by participants. (If you only see “Main Room” and your presenter(s) listed, you do not have permission to send private messages). OR In the participant list, click the designated person’s name. The To: pull-down menu next to the chat field will automatically switch to that person’s name. (You may not have the ability to click a name with all Operating Systems and browsers).
  2. Type your message and press the Enter key on your keyboard. Your message will appear in the Text Chat Area. You will see the words, “You tell” preceding the designated person’s name, followed by your message, surrounded by a gray background. Other users will not be able to see your private message.
Pause Text Chat
  1. Click the “Pause” icon located to the right of the chat message field. The “Pause” icon changes to a “Play” icon.
  2. When you are ready to receive new messages again, click the “Play” icon to resume text chatting.

Participant Area

The Participant Area lists all the presenters and participants currently in a live classroom. By default, presenters are listed in bold at the top of the list. Participants are listed under the presenters’ names, in alphabetical order. Additional info…

liveclassroom-yesno Yes/No Indicator: A green check mark (for Yes) or red X (for No) appears next to your name when you click the Yes (check mark) or No (X) button below the participant list. These buttons are used for instant polling.
liveclassroom-hand Hand Raising: A number appears next to your name when you click the Hand Raise button below the participant list. This number indicates in which order participants raised their hands.
liveclassroom-status Status Indicator: An emoticon appears next to your name when you select an item from the Set Status selection box (if enabled) below the participant list.
liveclassroom-pulse Show Room Pulse: This shows the status of the members in the classroom.
liveclassroom-speaking Speaking Privilege Indicator: Lets you know if you have the ability to speak during a presentation. If enabled, a circle with a plus (+) sign appears next to your name, beneath the audio column (depicted as a person speaking). If speaking privileges are disabled, a circle containing a minus (-) sign appears.
liveclassroom-video-privilege Video Privilege Indicator: lets you know if you have the ability to broadcast video during a presentation. If enabled, a circle with a plus (+) sign appears next to your name, beneath the video column (depicted as a video camera). If video broadcasting privileges are disabled, a circle containing a minus (-) sign appears.

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