Online classes live and interactive on the web
Web-conference courses are held live weekly at a specific time through a third-party software, Elluminate/Blackboard Collaborate. Instead of videos, you log in to a virtual classroom to participate.
You can find web-conference courses using the course search.
You connect to the virtual room at the time your class is scheduled. These meetings may or may not be recorded, at the discretion of your instructor, so you should not assume that you can access them at a later time.
A few days before the semester begins, you will receive an e-mail with the link to access your classroom.
Check your system requirements
If this is the first time you are participating in a web-conference course or section, we strongly recommend that you visit the first time users page on the Elluminate/Blackboard website. The system will automatically test your computer's system to check whether or not it is compatible.
The tools on this page will:
- Check to see that your operating system and version of Java meet the minimum requirements (listed below)
- Help you get the correct version of Java if you do not have it
- Allow you to test your audio setup
- Give you a brief orientation to the software
You should go to the configuration room to set up and test your audio, and view the online orientation in step 3 for first time users. The Participant Quick Reference Guide will give you a screen shot and information about the various tools available in the interface.
Audio
You must have a combination headphone/microphone. You will need the type of headset used for VoiP (Voice over Internet Protocol, e.g. Skype). Participating without using correct equipment can create a recurring echo in the audio, which is distracting for all those present in the course.
Your instructor may initially limit your use of audio until the students are better acquainted with the software. You may, however, always feel free to communicate with the instructor, each other, or everyone in the class using the included chat window.
Technical requirements
The Elluminate/Blackboard software runs through a browser, and uses a Java applet. The supported operating systems and recommended versions of Java are listed below.
Windows:
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
- Pentium III 1 GHz processor
- Sun Java 1.5.0_17 or Sun Java 1.6.0_12 or greater is recommended
Macintosh:
- OS X 10.5
- OS X 10.6
- G4, G5 or Intel processor
- Apple Java 1.5.0_16 (J2SE5 - 32 bit), or Apple Java 1.6.0_07 (J2SE6 - 64 bit)
Linux:
- openSUSE 11 (64 bit with 64 bit JVM)
- Ubuntu 9.10 (64 bit with 64 bit JVM)
- Pentium III 1 GHz processor
- Sun Java 1.5.0_17 or Sun Java 1.6.0_12 or greater is recommended
In addition, all participants must have:
- 256 MB of free RAM
- 20 MB free disk space
- 28.8 kbps Internet connection
- Speaker and microphone, headsets are preferred
Getting help
If you have problems either in getting set up or when you try to attend class, please call the help desk at the Church Street Computer Lab at (617) 495-5485 for assistance.
For more information please visit our Need Help page.