Learning Times/Webcast

Learning Times/Webcast Portal

Email Learning Times technical support
help@learningtimes.net

• Technical Information
• Creating an Account
• Tips for Success

Webcasting Technical Information

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IMPORTANT:
When you log in to the test room for the first time, you may be prompted to download Sun Microsystem's Java Web Start (or OpenJNLP for Mac), a pre-requisite for the live webcasts within the District 75 Online Community. You only need to do this the first time you access the test room or a live webcast.

TECH REQUIREMENTS:
Live webcasts are accessible on both PC and Macintosh platforms. Here are the basic Mac and PC requirements for using Elluminate:

Mac
Mac OS 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, Mac OS X 10.1x, 10.2x, 10.3x, 10.4x
G3 233 or better
64 Megabytes for OS 9, 128 megabytes for OS X and above
20 megabytes of available disk space on your hard drive
Stuffit Expander (OS 9.x)
Soundcard with speakers
Microphone or headset(optional but recommended)
28.8 kbps or higher internet connection
Internet Explorer 4.0 (or higher)

PC
Pentium II 266 MHz processor or faster
64 megabytes of RAM for Windows 95/98/ME, and 128 megabytes for Windows NT/2000/XP
Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP
20 megabytes of available disk space on your hard drive
Soundcard with speakers and microphone or headset
28.8 kbps or higher Internet connection

Browser Requirements

1. Cookies must be enabled
2. Javascript must be enabled
3. Pop-up Windows must be allowed (no Google or Internet Explorer pop-up window blocking)

To have the best possible experience while accessing live webcasts, participants should have speakers or headphones; a microphone is recommended but not required. We suggest going through the download at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the first virtual meeting you plan to attend.

Audio Problems

"When I am on a Dell Optiplex GX240 computer and I am in a live webcast, other people's voices sound very high-pitched, and they tell me my voice sounds very deep. What should I do?"

A: Dell has acknowledged this as a bug with the sound card on the Dell GX240. Fixing this issue requires you to update your sound card driver. Detailed instructions and a download link for the new driver can be found inside the online community.

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Instructions on Creating a Learning Times Account.

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This information provides important instructions for teachers and other staff on setting up your own LearningTimes account so that you will be able to login and access the live and recorded webcast sessions, interact in the discussion board areas, and take advantage of other posted Professional Development resources. (Priority is for new teachers who are participating in Monday PD sessions. Other groups will receive instructions separately.)

1 – From any Internet-connected computer, open a web browser and visit the following web site: http://home.learningtimes.net/district75

2 – Click on the "Join" button that you will see on the above web site.

3 – Follow “Option A” on the next screen to create a new LearningTimes account. Enter your primary email address (the one you check most frequently for work-related emails) in the field provided. Then click “Continue”.

4 – On the next page, at the top, where it says “Invitation Key or Community Password”, type the password. This will allow you to access the community immediately. (If you neglect to enter the community password, you will have to wait to be approved for access.) If you do not know the password, please contact your school's technology coordinator for more information.

5 – Then, complete* the rest of the form. *NOTE: Selecting a User Name
In the field that asks for a User Name, please make your user name your first name PLUS your last name PLUS your school number. For example, if your name is “Jane Smith” you are at school Q177, please make your LearningTimes User Name "JaneSmithQ177". This format will help others easily recognize you in the Online Community. Choose any password you like, but make sure it is something that you will not forget!

6 – When you have completed all of the required fields, at the bottom of the page click the checkbox and then click the “Apply to Join” button. That’s all! You should now be able to access the Online Community from any Internet-connected computer using the User Name and Password you created.

Need Help? Please contact your school’s Tech Liaison for assistance, or write to help@learningtimes.net.

 

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Technical Tips for Successful Webcasting

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Tasks for Each Webcast Session

1. Have all teachers been notified of date, day, room, and topic?
2. Have all teachers been given readings?
3. Who will be the content specialist Leader?

For Each Webcast: Responsibility of the Technology/Content Facilitator

1. Have all articles been downloaded from the LearningTimes community and have copies been made?
2. Is the technical facilitator in the room?
3. Has each participant signed the paper-based "online workshop sign in sheet"?
4. Has each participant submitted a webcast evaluation form?
5. After session, has the completed Attendance sign in sheet been faxed to the district office?

Before each webcast: The Technical Responsibility of the Tech Liaison/Principal's Designee

1. Provide time to hook up everything. If first time participating form a specific computer, test logging at least a few days before the first webcast.
2. Attach the speakers and microphone.
3. If audience is more than five: Connect computer to the Proxima/projector and make sure the speakers and microphone are connected properly.
4. Leave enough time to test the webcast connections before the webcast actually begins.
5. Once logged into the webcast room, visit the "Tools" menu and select "Audio," "Setup Audio..." and follow the steps to make sure your microphone and speakers are working and the volume is set properly.

Required Technical Elements for Optimum Webcasting Off-sites

1. Internet access: Project Connect or a a dial-up
2. laptop computer (the newer the better) with latest Internet Explorer
3. laptop computer that can connect and is compatible to the projector
4. LCD projector that is compatible with the laptop
5. speakers
6. microphone
7. power strip/extension cord
8. internet wire (such as an ethernet cable or telephone cable). Make sure it is long enough.

Tips to upgrade off-site for webcasting

1. upgrade computer to work with the new operating system and version of internet explorer.
2. projector that can connect to the coaches tablets and newer laptops
3. speakers
4. microphone
5. ethernet cable (also known as RJ45 cable) (Make sure it is long enough)
6. power strip/extension cord (make sure cords are long enough).

Need Help? Please contact the LearningTimes Help Desk help@learningtimes.net or your borough Tech coordinator.

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