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:

• Visit the Technology Support Center in 211 Lucas Hall
• Call Technology Support Helpdesk: 314-516-6034 or email: helpdesk@umsl.edu
• Link to campus Technology Support Center: http://www.umsl.edu/technology/tsc

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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/
• If you have other questions about viewing requirements for the Panopto presentations, you can review this information at the following site: http://support.panopto.com/Miscellaneous/Viewing_Requirements
4. 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/
5. 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.
6. Play Flash files. Click here to download Flash.
7. 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

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