Technology
Requirements for Professor Keel's Classes
Read this
carefully. As a member of an online or "web-enhanced" course,
you are expected to have access to the internet almost every day. If you have
computing problems, it is your responsibility to address these problems, or
come to campus to use the student computing labs. Problems with your computer
or other technology issues is not an excuse for any delays in meeting expectations
and deadlines for the course. So, if you have a problem, get help in solving
it immediately.
A.
Technical Support:
B. The
Student
Help section of MyGateway. Support for features of MyGateway (e.g.,
overview of MyGateway, Pronto, Discussion Forums, etc.) are provided in the
Student
Help section. Note that there are a number of helpful links on the left
side, as well as tutorials in the main portion of that page.
C. Computer
Specifications: Blackboard (MyGateway) runs independent of the operating
system. It relies on the internet browser and the plug-ins recommended below.
Any computer with an up-to-date operating system, Windows, Mac or Linux, as
long as the internet browser is up-to-date, will suffice for using MyGateway.
I suggest that you use Mozilla Firefox as your browser, especially when taking
the exams. Information and access to browsers and a variety of technology
help is provided here: http://www.umsl.edu/technology/mgwhelp/browser/browser.html
- If you will
be using Wimba, you'll need speakers (a headset is best).
For attending a live class event via Wimba, it is best to have a microphone
and hopefully, a webcam.
This course
requires you to be able to:
- Use
Wimba for attending live classes from remote locations and/or playing
back Wimba archives (if you don't attend the class in-person). Wimba Live
Classroom is an online, synchronous learning tool we will be using this semester.
Wimba allows students to "attend" a live class via the Internet,
and it also allows me to archive class sessions so that students can access
and review the recordings. There is a short
tutorial on using Wimba on the main Wimba page in the class MyGateway
site and additional help at http://www.wimba.com/services/support/.
You can contact Wimba Technical Support by phone (toll-free): 866.350.4978
or email: technicalsupport@wimba.com.
And, see the Wimba
Participant's Guide or click on the help ("?") icon once you
have started up the Wimba program. For further assistance with Wimba, MyGateway
and other online tools, see these tutorials
(they "walk you through" using Wimba). (Click on the Wimba links
in the course syllabus for more information).
- Be sure to
run the "Set Up Wizard" to insure your computer
is properly configured for the Wimba Live Classroom interface. To review
archived class sessions, you'll just need speakers. Any student is invited
to participate via the live interface (Wimba session classes are noted on
the "Assignments, Readings, and Course Schedule" found in the
Assignments area). All students (especially those in the Internet-only section)
are encouraged to use the recorded sessions in their studies for the course.
- Work
in a wiki.
A wiki is a collaborative website that you will use to present the findings
from your group discussions. If you can use a word processor or update a Facebook
page, you can work in a wiki. We will demonstrate how to access and develop
a wiki in class (check the class session Wimba archives from the first two
days of class for more information), but it is up to the students to take
the initiative to explore the wiki technology, and creatively present your
group's findings. Here's a link with detailed instructions for using the wiki editor: http://community.learningobjects.com/Groups/Documentation/Campus_Pack_4.4_User_Guide/Text_Editor and for general information: http://community.learningobjects.com/Groups/Documentation/Campus_Pack_4.4_User_Guide . You can access this link from your group's wiki by clicking
on the "Help" link in the upper right-hand corner of the wiki content frame. You'll also find a "Wiki Help" folder in the Group Areas
section of our class MyGateway site that provides tutorials, a practice wiki,
and examples of wiki projects from previous semesters.
- Open
and play the Panopto multimedia presentations for various tutorials
(using Wimba, Working in a Wiki, taking online tests). The first time you
click on a Panopto file, you will be instructed to install the free Microsoft
Silverlight. This is a very quick and easy installation process. If your computer
doesn't automatically prompt you for the installation, go to the following
website and click on the blue "Get Silverlight Now" button on the
left side of your screen:
http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/resources/
- Save, open and
print pdf files. For this, you need to have Adobe Reader installed on your
computer. If you do not have Adobe Reader working on your computer, go to
the following site for a free download and instructions: http://get.adobe.com/reader/
- Play
videos. Click here: "Windows
Media Files" if you need to download a free version of Windows Media
player to play videos on your computer. Click here if you need to download
Quicktime.
- Play
Flash files. Click here to download Flash.
- Use
the help and support resources listed in A, B, and C, above.

URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/tech_require.html
Owner: Robert O. Keel: rok@umsl.edu
Last Updated:
Monday, May 21, 2012 2:33 PM
Unless otherwise noted,
all pages within the web site http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/ © 2012 by
Robert O. Keel.
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