Generic Instructions for Tutors and Participants on the On-Line Tutorial
Version1
This initial version of these generic instructions assumes that there is a single Tutorial Leader and up to 5 participants. All Participants will have been sent work to read or complete before the tutorial. During the Tutorial, Tutorial Leader and Participants will communicate using a chat box within Blackboard's Virtual Classroom. At the same time the Virtual Classroom will allow all to have independent access to common web resources via a Group Browser. NetMeeting will be running in the background and will give Voice and Video contact between the Tutorial Leader and individual Participants. NetMeeting contacts will be established 'one at a time' prior to the tutorial. During the tutorial NetMeeting contact will be established only when requested by individual Participants or by the Tutorial Leader.
In the weeks before the Tutorial
1. Ensure that the following Software is installed on your computer
Software Version
NetMeeting 3 or above
Internet Explorer 4 or above
MS Word 97 or above
Windows Media Player 6.4 or above Some recent streamed videos require 7.01
Acrobat Reader 4 or above
Ensure that you have some familiarity with this software. You need not be 'expert' but you should not attempt to learn basic use during an on-line tutorial.
2. Ensure that the following hardware is installed and operational
Type Specification
Soundcard Basic sound card
Microphone/speakers Basic microphone and speakers /headphones
Camera Basic web cam
PC Pentium 2 plus lots of RAM
You should have some familiarity with this hardware. For example you do need to check that you can 'NetMeet' with a local colleague and each of you can see and hear the other.
3. Find out the IP address of the computer that you will use for this tutorial. The IP address should appear in the Help, about NetMeeting dialog box in NetMeeting. Email this information to the Tutorial leader several days before the tutorial is due. You will be informed by email precisely when the tutorial is to take place. You should keep a list of IP addresses for reference.
Some institutions impose Firewall Restrictions on the use of NetMeeting. If you suspect that your institution blocks incoming or outgoing calls to your IP address you may need to discuss this with your own Computing Services.
4. Ensure that you have access to the Blackboard used to run the Programme being studied.
Users from outside the University (who are not registered Staff or Students) need to complete a form (which has to be signed by my HoD!). This will take some days to process.
The URL for Southampton's Blackboard is http://www.blackboard.soton.ac.uk/
Users will be asked for a User Name and ISS Password. This will be sent to all registered users.
The Blackboard used for online tutorials is Southampton University Video Users
5. Test that you can access (with sound where appropriate), the following test documents.
A typical streamed video; http://stream.port.ac.uk/streams/play/play.asp?id=196&stream=HighBand
A typical on-line document; http://www.telri.ac.uk/Publications/change1.pdf
One hour before the tutorial is due to start
1 Open NetMeeting
View; compact
Calls; automatically accept calls
Tools; video; send
(If you are concerned about your own image then View; my video; new window).
You should hear from the Tutorial Leader by NetMeeting at least 15 minutes before the Tutorial is due to start. If not please phone or email!
2 Log onto the Blackboard
Using the buttons on the left; select Virtual Classroom.
Join the Lecture Hall
This takes some time (It needs to download some Java Script when first opened). When it is open;
Top left; Chose Group Browser in the Classroom tool selection boxes.
Middle left; type in the URL of the online resource that you will use in the tutorial. (I cannot get this to accept a Paste). Check that you can control the webpages that open in the browser window.
Bottom right; Type a greeting message into the chat box (and press the submit box).
3 Enjoy the rest of the tutorial!
If things go wrong during the tutorial
Your computer 'blocks'
This sometimes happens when you press too many keys and do not wait for each to work. Reboot your machine and start again.
Kerry Shephard