This PREP workshop was made possible by the NSF grant DUE: 0341481

From Prep08Wiki

Contents 1 Computer Requirements 2 Hardware and Network Requirements 3 Frequently Asked Questions 3.1 General help sites 3.2 Wimba notes 3.3 Webcam troubleshooting

Computer Requirements

We will be using a program here at Saint Louis University called Wimba. This is a virtual classroom that will allow us to have an online class, including presentations and small group discussions.

In order to prepare for the workshop we ask participants to do a minor amount of technical preparation. In particular, the participants will be asked to do the following before the workshop starts:

• Run the setup wizard. This short program can be found at Wimba Live Classroom
• We will run live tests of the software where the participants should login to the Wimba site for this conference: Math Conference. We've scheduled two time blocks for this short test. You should "attend" for about 10-20 minutes during one of these two times. Check the main page for a phone number to call for help during these times. The two live testing periods are:
  • 10am-12 (CDT) Thursday, June 12
  • 1-3pm (CDT) Monday, June 16

In addition, you will receive accounts on this PREP 2008 Geometry and Art Wiki, as well as the Math and the Art of M.C. Escher Wiki. Make sure you can log in, change your password, and practice editing pages.

Hardware and Network Requirements

To run the Wimba software, you will need:

1. Windows 2000+, Vista, Mac OSX 10.2+ or Linux*
2. 128 MB RAM (256 MB recommended)
3. Audio input: a microphone.
4. Audio output: headphones (do not use speakers or your microphone will feed back).
5. Internet Explorer 5.0+, Netscape 7.0+, Mozilla 1.0+, Safari 1.1+ (Browser must be Java and JavaScript enabled)
6. Internet access at 56k or above
7. Webcam (please try to have one, though it will not be essential).

(* Mac OS9 and Linux have limited features and functionality. They wil not support the camera feature.)

Recommended are:

• Headset with microphone, which will enhance sound quality and make your workshop experience much smoother.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section will answer technical questions as they arise. Please edit it yourself if you have a helpful hint.

General help sites

• For help using the wiki software, please see the Help:Contents page.
• The official Wimba Classroom site.

Wimba notes

• You do not need an account or password to use the Wimba classroom, just pick whatever name you like and join as a participant. The classroom is always open, though it may be a little lonely in the middle of the night.
• Only organizers can move people to and from the Breakout Rooms.

Webcam troubleshooting

• Wimba: Your webcam will only show your video to the classroom when you are holding the talk button, and when you have priority. Priority appears to change only when the current person on video stops talking.
• Most webcams can only send their video to one application at a time. So, if you're showing your webcam picture in another window (to test it, say), it won't feed into the Wimba classroom.
• Your webcam will only broadcast when the 'eye' icon in the video window is 'open'. Click on it to open it.
• Any time you change audio/video setup on your computer, you'll probably need to leave the Wimba classroom and then return for the new settings to take effect.