RESOURCES

HELP DESK

Visit the Computer Services Help Desk for Temple University Tech Support.

WIMBA TUTORIAL

View this video tutorial on how to access and use WIMBA Liveclassroom.

STUDENT RESOURCES

Links to student services such as the writing center, libraries, DARS, and much much more.
 

BITS & PCs

Read up on the latest tech tips from the Bits & PCs column of the Temple Times!

FAQs

Frequently asked questions by distance learning students.

DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENT NEWSLETTER VOL 2: FALL 2009

Welcome to the second volume of our Distance Learning student newsletter! Included below are some great tips on how to make the most out of your online course, including an interview with a distance learning student serving overseas. There are also many resources provided to help with learning all about the technologies used in your online courses.

Interview with Ryan Greene

We recently had the opportunity to interview a Temple Distance Learning student named Ryan Greene, who is currently serving in the military overseas in Afghanistan. Click the link below to hear more about his experience taking an online course and how he was able to communicate through online learning tools.

Ryan Greene's Interview

Why Take an Online Class?

by Carly Haines, BTMM M.A. Student

The decision to take an online course can be difficult. In comparison to a regular course, an online class can at first seem distant, disconcerting and even challenging when faced with using a new operating system, the Wimba Online  Classroom. However, Wimba is user friendly and provides a multitude of ways to contact and connect to the professor and classmates.

During my first online course, I too felt anxious about the way class would go. Would I feel connected to the professor and who he or she was? Would the class run like a regular class? How would I interact with the professor and other students? Could all course work really be completed without having to go on campus and handing anything in? All of my questions were answered the first time I ran the Wimba software on my computer. If you have ever done iChat, AIM or Skype, you are familiar with being able to connect with friends and family members near and far with just a click of a button. This is exactly how Wimba works! By downloading the Wimba software onto your computer, you are first asked to answer some questions and select settings. The classroom guide runs through each step to make sure you are microphone and/or video ready. Once set up, the classroom works neatly, with a small screen for a picture or video image of your professor or students on the right side, an IM box in the lower left corner to type responses, and a large area in the center for PowerPoint slides for your professor to load.

Some professors will run their online classroom differently than others. While it is likely they will use some PowerPoint’s and pose questions to you via the slides, they also might ask questions and illicit responses just like in a regular class. Many classes will use the video camera and will allow students to see and hear their professor. Some professors, will prefer to use only  the microphone and not the video. Some my pre-tape their classrooms and allow students to watch at their leisure. Either way, hearing (and seeing) the professor are quite easy and asking a question is simple via the IM box or the microphone feature. An important and alluring quality to the online class is that the time for class can change and most likely will be optional. Since all of the classroom sessions will be archived, many professors are lenient with attendance and allow students to attend a portion of classes and view the archived sessions at their own convenience. Similarly, classes will most likely run at different times or on a consistent basis. Since many students work or take other classes, the optional attendance allows for students who may be busy during some class periods.

Some things to remember when setting up for an online class:

1. Make sure you disable your pop-up blocker. The Wimba software works like a pop-up and you will be asked if you “trust” the information boxes that may appear. Keep this setting throughout your class so you do not run into any problems during class time.

2. Buy a microphone. They are relatively inexpensive (some are under $10) and they really help to make the class feel more like an actual classroom than an IM chat. Selecting to talk during a class makes it more lively and fun.

3. Try to get a web camera. Web cameras are not too expensive and if you are taking a course that requires a video camera don’t fret. Those too can be purchased inexpensively at different locations and you can also use the Tech center.

4. Think about buying a set of headphones (perhaps ones with a microphone attached). Headphones allow students to listen directly to the professor speak and to drown out any excess noise that might disturb or distract. Since you are not in an actual classroom, remember that helping to make you feel as if you were in a quiet and academic setting will help you focus and participate similar to sitting in a live classroom.

Remember, online classes are a great way to take a course without having the burden of driving or commuting to campus. Many courses are offered for all majors and they are great for students who work full time or who cannot fit a class into their already booked schedule. Don’t shy away from online courses. They are easy, fun and comparative to a regular course! And remember, feel free to contact the Office of Distance and Summer Programs with any questions or concerns!

TECH Tips!