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vClass FAQs

About vClass | Getting Started | Request a Meeting | Request a Course | Documentation | FAQs

Getting Started Questions
Technical Questions
Instructional Questions
General Questions

Getting Started Questions

Q. How do I get started?
A. First, read About vClass and associated webpages, then Getting Started. Request a meeting or course. Once you receive instructions from the vClass Administrator, please read them carefully. Most of the delays encountered with using vClass are due to requestors not reading the instructions provided.

Q. What is the difference between a meeting and a course?
A. The main difference is the frequency of the sessions: courses meet at a set time and for multiple times during a period of time (eg. Monday & Wednesday at 9:00am for a semester). Meetings meet once only for a set time and date ( eg. Tuesday, August 23, 2005 from 10:00am – 12:00pm).

Q. What is a practice room or session?
A. A practice room is an extended meeting session designed to allow a new moderator (or guest lecturer) a time to practice prior to a meeting or course. Practice rooms may be requested for a period of time up to 72 continuous hours.

Q. Is training available? How do I get it?
A. Training is available for instructors. To schedule training, please email vclass@gsu.edu Options include online training, one-on-one training at your on-campus office or another location on campus. Internet access is required for all training.

Q. Is there a cheat sheet on how to use vClass?
A. There are two online short reference guides - Participant Quick Reference Guide and the Moderator's Quick Reference Guide v6.0

Q. What technical background do I need to use vClass?
A. You need to know how to use the Internet.

Q. Where can I get help?
A. The vClass vendor, Elluminate, provides a hotline at 1-866-388-8674 option 2. This line is available for both students and instructors Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 10:00pm.

Q. How do students login to a vClass course?
A. Students will receive an email notification from the vClass Administrator with a unique username and password, which will be used for the entire semester. To login, go to https://www.elluminate.com/member.jsp

Q. How do instructors login to a vClass course?
A. Instructors will receive an email notification from the vClass Administrator with a unique username and password, which will be used for the entire semester. To login, go to https://www.elluminate.com/member.jsp

Q. How do students login to a vClass meeting?
A. Students will receive an email invitation from their instructor or other moderator of a meeting. To join the meeting, the student will click on a participant link included in the email at the scheduled time. No username or password is required.

Q. How do instructors login to a vClass meeting?
A. Instructors will receive an email invitation from the vClass Administrator. To join the meeting, the instructor will click on the moderator link included in the email at the scheduled time. No username or password is required.

Q. What if I my students have difficulty getting on at the beginning of class?
A. Encourage your students to download the software and go through the recommended online configuration at least one hour prior to the beginning of class. If they still have problems, Elluminate Technical Support is available by calling 1-866-388-8674 option 2.

Q. Can students request meetings? If so, how?
A. Students may request meetings for school activities such as working on collaborative projects with other students, group study, presentation practice sessions, etc. Students need to have a GSU instructor or staff person willing to sponsor the meeting but the sponsor does not need to attend or moderate the meeting.

Q. How soon ahead of time should I request a course?
A. Please allow 10 business days for the request. Courses require the participants (students) be registered within the vClass sessions and are coordinated with the class roster for the respective online course at GSU.

Q. Do I have to request a vClass course each semester for the same class?
A. Yes, each course is re-created each semester based on the class roster for the class. All vClass courses are purged from the system at the end of the semester.

Q. If I only want to meet with my students 2-3 times a semester, why do I have to submit the Request for a Meeting form three times?
A.

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Technical Questions

Q. What type of headset should I purchase?
A. There are many brands of headsets - check with your local computer store - any combination computer headset with built-in microphone will work with vClass. We do suggest getting a headset with a USB connector in order to connect to the PCs at Georgia State.

Q. How do I use my headset with the computers in the labs and classrooms?
A. Make sure you purchase a headset with a USB connector. In most lab and classroom PCs, you can lift a small door at the front of the Dell PCs and plug in your headset.

Q. How do I check to see if the sound and voice are working on my vClass course?
A. When you download the software (Java WebStart), be sure to go through the “Configuration Room” to complete your set-up. Afterwards, play the short online “Orientation” and you will be all set to join your scheduled session!

Q. Can I use a webcam with vClass so my students can see me, or each other? If so, how?
A. Yes, this is possible. Elluminate best answers this question at their “Knowledge Base” portal located here, search on “video”. Additional related topics are also available at the site.

Q. What types of files can I share with students on vClass?
A. With the “application share” tool, you may share any file running on your local computer with anyone else logged into the session. The other party does not need to have the application installed on their computer. Some common types of files shared include Powerpoint, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, pictures (jpeg, etc.), and web pages.

Q. If I elect to have my class recorded, how do my students and I view it? How long will it be available?
A. All recorded sessions are available at each person’s “My ElluminateLive” page and will stay there for the semester. To access, log in, go to Utilities/Recorded Sessions, select the date(s) and time(s) of the sessions. Recordings may also be downloaded and saved to local computers and servers for later review.

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Instructional Questions

Q. Why should I use vClass? What are its advantages?
A. The major advantage of using vClass is it allows instructors and/or students to talk and interact with each other live over the Internet. Click on the list for more features, benefits and uses of vClass.

Q. How do students use vClass for their class projects?
A. Students can request a meeting and meet on online to work on their projects and discuss and share presentations and websites.

Q. Can I use vClass for a large class such as 100-150 students? If so, how?
A. Most certainly! vClass provides breakout rooms. You can create multiple breakout rooms and assign students to them. Appoint a facilitator for each session to guide the discussion topic of your choice and then represent the group.

Q. I don't have a lot of time to convert my materials for use online - what do you recommend?
A. Start slow and build. You can use vClass the first semester just to hold discussions and interact with your class. Use the polling feature to get feeback from your students. As you convert your PowerPoint presentations or other materials into electronic form, add these to your course in following semesters. If you don't use vClass for content delivery, think about using it for office hours.

Q. Where can I get some instructional design assistance to incorporate vClass into my course?
A. The Instructional Support Group with UETS will be happy to provide assistance in incorporating vClass into your course.

Q. How can vClass be used with uLearn?
A. vClass anduLearn complement each other very well. uLearn can be used for asynchronous discussions, posting your materials online, and keeping your gradebook. vClass can be used to hold live discussions or lectures with your students online as well as engaging guest speakers, sharing content, or demonstrating concepts using the whiteboard.

Q. What are some uses of a meeting?
A. A meeting can be used for instructors to hold office hours with their students, for staff or student meetings, to demonstrate a product, brainstorm, etc.

Q. I have to be away at a conference and would like to hold my class (or attend a class) online. What do I need to do this?
A. You will need a computer and an Internet connection...

Q. I have a guest lecturer that I would like to speak to my class - what do I have to do to make this happen?
A. Guest lecturers who will be joining a scheduled course will need to be added as if they were student. Contact the vClass Administrator to make that request. To invite a guest to a meeting, send the guest the same information you did for the other meeting participants.

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General Questions

Q. What is the difference between vClass and uLearn?
A. vClass is a realtime virtual classroom technology. uLearn is a course management system.

Q. What is the difference between vClass and video conferencing?
A. vClass is much more than standard video conferencing. By definition, a videoconference is a “discussion between two or more groups of people who are in different places but can see and hear each other using electronic communications. Pictures and sound are carried by the telecommunication network and such conferences can take place across the world.” For several topics regarding video architecture and related questions, please search on “video” at the Knowledge Base

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