Wimba QuickLinks
What is Wimba?
Wimba Live Classroom is a web based real time interactive ‘classroom’ that can be accessed through a course from the myCourses at UMass Dartmouth portal page. Wimba Live Classroom is a synchronous presentation and collaboration environment that can be used for lectures, presentations and office hours. It can also be used as a chat room, white board, a way to share files, and even have a live video or voice conference.
What Do I Need to Get Started?
1. You will need a computer with speakers and an attached microphone or a headset (highly recommended) in order to fully participate in a live classroom session. You can purchase a reasonably priced microphone or headset ($10-20) at a local office supply store (Office Max, Staples) that either plugs into your computer's audio input or one that plugs into an available USB port.
2. Internet access: Broadband access (DSL, cable) is highly recommended, but not mandatory. Try to avoid using a wireless internet connection when participating in a live classroom session.
3. Run the Setup wizard: Before entering a classroom for the first time you must run the set up wizard. The set up wizard is located to the right of the link to enter the classroom. This will allow Wimba to confirm that you have the necessary components to run Wimba Live Classroom.
Entering the Wimba Live Classroom
If you cannot locate the wizard, a direct link can be found here: http://67.202.211.61/wizard/wizard.html.pl?wizardconf=wizard.conf
Using Wimba Live Classroom
After entering a classroom, please make sure that your speakers or headset are on and that you are ready to participate.
For those with microphones, press and hold the Talk button above the text area and begin to speak. Holding down the CTRL key on the keyboard will also serve as a Talk button. For those without a microphone you can use the chat area to type any questions or comments. Some instructors may require you to ‘raise your hand’ before speaking. This option is located in the participant area and indicates that you would like to ask a question. Some instructors may also require that you use the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ buttons to answer questions. Your answer will appear in the Yes/No column.
Please follow your instructor’s communication guidelines for using Wimba Live Classroom.
Documentation & Resources
Quick Guides
WIMBA Participant Guide (pdf)
How to participate, communicate and interact in a Wimba Live Classroom.
Wimba Student Quick Tips (pdf)
A quick guide to tools and settings in Wimba Live Classroom. A good resource document to print and keep by your computer for reference.
If you need further assistance with microphone connection and audio issues, please consult the Solving Technical Issues page located at http://webhelp.wimba.com/WC/v5_3/Participant_Guide/Content/pg_solving_tech_issues.htm
For more information please visit:
Wimba: People Teaching People
http://www.wimba.com
Wimba Classroom Participant Guide 6.0 (pdf manual from Wimba.com)
http://wimba.com/assets/resources/WC_60_Participant_Guide.pdf
Support
If you are experiencing problems using Live Classroom, please contact 24x7 Wimba Support at http://wimba.com/services/support/ or UMass Dartmouth CITS Instructional Development at 508.999.8501.
