Virtual Classrooms at UNB: Elluminate Live Orientation

• What IS a Virtual Classroom/eSession?
• How Do I GET READY?
• Tips and Troubleshooting
• Information for Instructors

What is a Live Virtual Classroom or Elluminate Session?

A live virtual classroom is a small web program that allows you to speak using a MICROPHONE, CHAT and share a WHITEBOARD. You don't have to install it because it runs in your web browser, but to speak you will need a microphone and speakers (headphones are better because they reduce background noise).

The program UNB uses for *live* virtual classes is called 'Elluminate Live'.

Attending a session or 'entering' an Elluminate room is easy. Simply click on a weblink provided by your instructor (usually posted as an icon in your online course or sent by email), and after a few seconds the program starts *automatically*, opening in a new window. Other than a small file which downloads when you first enter a session, there is no need to install anything. Most desktop computers should be able to run the program easily.

The 'virtual classroom' contains:

• a list of people attending the session (Participant List),
• a whiteboard (where Powerpoint presentations appear),
• a chat window
• a virtual microphone that users share, taking turns talking when the mike is free.

How do I get ready to attend a session?

You will NEED the following hardware:

1. a microphone (one connected to a headset is ideal, but any working computer microphone will do)
2. headphones (preferred) OR speakers (acceptable); headphones work best because otherwise your microphone will hear your speakers and re-transmit what you're hearing, creating feedback)
3. A desktop computer (newer laptops are acceptable, but desktop systems have fewer issues).

Below are GENERAL examples of different types of microphones, headphones & speakers: YOURS may be different! :) IMPORTANT: TEST YOUR MICROPHONE AND SPEAKERS BEFORE THE ACTUAL CLASS!
USB Headset with Microphone	Standard Headset with Microphone	Headphones and a standing/separate Microphone

TESTING YOUR COMPUTER: IMPORTANT!

1. To make sure your plugins and volume settings are correct, BEFORE you attend the first session, please visit the Elluminate support page (http://www.elluminate.com/support/) and complete Step 1. Step 1 checks your Java plugin; if you receive a message stating that you don't have Java installed, visit http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp to download and install the appropriate Java plugin for your computer/operating system.
2. If you already have Java installed, go to your course in Blackboard and within the course, probably on the course homepage, you should find a link to your class's Elluminate session or 'Room'. Click the room or session link and you will be redirected to a page where you will be prompted to login. You do NOT use your UNB ID here; simply type your full name, since this is how your name will appear in Elluminate's class list or 'Participant List'.
3. After entering your name, within 20 seconds a new window will open - this is the Elluminate program itself. If you are prompted by your computer to grant permission or allow access through your firewall, agree or click 'OK', otherwise the program will not load.
4. Once you've entered the Elluminate room, you should test your microphone by running the 'Audio Setup Wizard', which is located under the TOOLS > AUDIO menu. This wizard checks your speaker or headphone volume first, then your microphone volume second. If you see more than one option for a microphone in the list that eventually appears, just try the first option, and if it doesn't work, choose another and try again until you can successfully record your voice. Afte the wizard is complete, to use your mike, you must click the AUDIO button in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. SINGLE-CLICK the mike to pick it up; when you are done speaking your piece, SINGLE-CLICK the Audio button again to 'stop broadcasting', and return the mike for others to use. (The microphone is a shared microphone, which means that there is only ONE 'virtual' mike, and everyone takes turns with it. If you don't SINGLE-CLICK to 'put down' the mike when you are done speaking, other students will not be able to speak.)

Tips and Troubleshooting

Run the AUDIO SETUP WIZARD. Once you are in an Elluminate session, EVERY TIME you attend a session, please run the AUDIO SETUP WIZARD to configure your microphone and speaker volumes. This will ELIMINATE FEEDBACK and is *highly recommended*. Find it under the menu TOOLS > AUDIO > AUDIO SETUP WIZARD.

A Shared Microphone: Most Elluminate sessions only allow one person to speak at a time. In each session, to use your mcrophone, you must click the 'Microphone button' in the bottom left of the virtual classroom window. It is important to remember that the class microphone is a 'shared' microphone: so, if someone else is using it, you have to wait until they are done for the button to become 'active' or clickable again. At that point, you can click the mike button once to start talking; when you are done, you click the mike button again to stop broadcasting, and return the shared microphone so that others may use it.



Each Class Session is Recorded: Each virtual classroom session is recorded, so if you miss something or would like to review the class, you will receive a link to that recording via email. usually the next day.

All Chat Messages Are Seen By Instructors: All chat messages can be seen by the instructor, and are included in recordings.

AUDIO BREAKING UP? Adjust this option ONLY if you are having problems. Choose a slower connection speed under:

    * PC/Windows: TOOLS > PREFERENCES > SESSION > CONNECTION (Choose any option higher up the list - higher = slower/better)
    * Mac OS: ELLUMINATE LIVE! Menu > PREFERENCES > SESSION > CONNECTION (Choose any option higher up the list - higher = slower/better)

If you have any problems that aren't addressed here, email Elluminate support at bparks@unb.ca.

Information for Instructors

ROOMS, NOT SESSIONS

• When you request an Elluminate 'room', that room is NOT a finite session that will expire; instead, the room is available for your use, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply use the link provided to you by Elluminate support to enter your room at any time, and share that link with students through email and on Blackboard. Elluminate support staff can also create an Elluminate link/resource in your Blackboard course; to resquest the creation of an Elluminate room, email bparks@unb.ca.
• Elluminate rooms have no 'seating' or attendee limit; although the average is a typical class size, rooms can 'old' up several humndred people, if need be.
• If you need a tech support person to be present in your session, you need to explicitly arrange that at least 1 week ahead of any scheduled session. Email bparks@unb.ca to arrange for support.

HOW DO I BOOK A SESSION? If you want to book a session, email bparks@unb.ca.

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