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IDDS - Welcome to the Wimba Live Classroom Resource Center

This page provides important information for instructors who will be using Wimba Live Classroom in the Desire2Learn Learning Management System.

Wimba Logo
Learn More About Wimba at http://www.wimba.com

System Requirements
Getting Help
Getting Started with Wimba [Add Wimba to D2L (PDF) and Product Manuals]
Computer System Check - Is your computer ready to use Wimba?
Understanding the Wimba Interface - The Basics
Wimba Created Quicklets and Foundational Understanding videos

Using Wimba in a Web Conference for Instructors - System Requirements

Headset Requirements (Instructor and Students)

For best audio quality, it is highly recommended that instructors and students use a computer headset when using Wimba. Any type of computer headphone/microphone set will work with Wimba.

An example of one set that the Learning House uses is Cyber Acoustics AC-101R. This head set can be purchase at retailers such as Office Depot, and Bestbuy. This is just a sample headset, any computer headset with a microphone will work. If a computer headset is not available, then instructors and students will need computer speakers and a computer microphone.

System Requirements

Presenter System Requirements: Windows 2000+, Mac OSX 10.2+ or Linux 256 MB RAM (higher recommended) IE 5.0+, Netscape 7.0+, Mozilla 1.0+, Safari 1.1+ (Browser must be Java and JavaScript enabled) Internet access at 56k or above (Broadband strongly recommended) Soundcard w/ mic and speakers Headset	Participant System Requirements: Windows 2000+, Mac OSX 10.2+ or Linux 128 MB RAM (256 MB recommended) IE 5.0+, Netscape 7.0+, Mozilla 1.0+, Safari 1.1+ (Browser must be Java and JavaScript enabled) Internet access at 56k or above (Broadband strongly recommended) Soundcard w/ mic and speakers Headset
Horizon Wimba recommends using headsets instead of external speakers or microphones, particularly built-in laptop microphones.

Getting Help – Wimba help line

If you had trouble running the setup wizard or an issue with Wimba, please access the support portal at http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com

Instructor Training

Workshops can be found at training.ship.edu. If you don't see a Wimba workshop time that meets your needs, please contact us at x1816 or x3439.

Getting Started - Adding Wimba to D2L

Follow the directions listed below to add a Wimba to the Content area in D2L then download the Presenters Guide to learn how to use Wimba.

Start Here

Wimba Created Manuals

Adding Wimba to your D2L Content Area [PDF]

Information to Provide to Students in D2L

Presenter Guide [HTML]
Presenter Guide [PDF]

Checking your System

It is important for both instructors and students to check your system before class start to ensure that your computer can Get started by completing the steps outlined below:

Check System Requirements (Detailed Description of System Requirements)
Make sure that your system is compatible with Wimba Classroom. You will need a computer with a Java enabled web-browser with java-script enabled and popup blockers turned off.
Run Classroom Setup Wizard

Wimba Classroom provides a unique setup wizard to help you make sure that you will be able to access Wimba Classroom without a problem. The setup wizard will make sure that you have popup blockers disabled, have java and java-script enabled on your browser, can accept java applets, can run text chat, and can hear and record audio.

Run the setup wizard at: http://wizard.wimba.com/wizard/launcher.cgi?wc=wms/
HELPLINE:
If you had trouble running the setup wizard or an issue with Wimba, please access the support portal at http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com

Getting Help – Wimba help line

If you had trouble running the setup wizard or an issue with Wimba, please access the support portal at http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com

Understanding the Wimba Interface - The Basics

For a more indepth description of the workings of the Wimba platform please Presenter Guide [ HTML ] or [ PDF ]

Content Frame

The Content Frame is the main focus of a presentation and is where content, such as images, charts, and text will appear. During the presentation, the displayed content will be controlled by the presenter.

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 Chat – messages that can be viewed by everyone logged into the presentation.
Private Chat – private messages designated for a particular person in the presentation. The instructor can see all messages.

To Send a Public Chat Message

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).
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.

To Send a Private Chat Message

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).
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.

To Pause Text Chat

Pausing chat allows you to read a particular chat message without needing to scroll back to that message when new ones come in.

Click the Pause icon Text Chat Area Pause button located to the right of the chat message field. The Pause icon changes to a Play icon Text Chat Area Play button, indicating that chat is paused.
When you are ready to receive new messages again, click the Play icon to resume chat.

Participant Area Overview

overview

The Participant Area lists all the presenters and participants currently in a presentation. By default, presenters are listed in bold at the top of the list. Participants are listed under the presenters’ names, in alphabetical order. Next to the list of presenters and participants are additional columns:

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.

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.

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. For further information, please refer to Status Indicators.

Speaking and Video Privilege Indicators

speakerPrivledge

The 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.
The 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.