Welcome! First, we need to Perform an Audio Check: 1. Raise your hand to speak 2. Press Talk or Hold CTRL 3. Check Options > Filters > click Audio Gain Control off 4. Check your headset 5. Click the check when Audio is tested

Learn How to Meet Online Using Horizon Wimba

Agenda Chat, Raised Hand, Yes / No eBoard Uploading Slides Sharing Websites Application Share Archive Feature Reserve Meeting Room Audio Troubleshooting Best Practices

Let’s Review Our Wimba Tools: These buttons indicate “Yes” or “No ” Click this icon to “raise your hand” The Pointer tool helps to “claim your real estate on the screen” lets everyone know where someone is about to type. Click on the big “T” tool to type on the screen. Make sure to hit the enter button to make the text appear. Type your message in the chat box and press enter. You can send message to everyone in the “Main Room” or your can use the drop down box to send to an individual.

What is Horizon Wimba? Horizon Wimba is collaborative software that allows users to learn and meet online System uses voice-over IP (internet audio) which requires a headset with a microphone, but, we won’t tie up a phone line! Similar software – WebEx, NetMeeting, Adobe Breeze

It’s all about Communication Feel free to chat – use the drop down box to send to the “Main Room” or to a specific participant: Raise your hand to talk: Use the Check / X buttons to poll participants:

White Board Tool Bar looks similar to Paint programs Use the “Pointer” tool to mark spot on screen The “T” tool to type on the screen Circle tool / Line tool Beware the “Erase” button, it erases the entire screen

White Board examples You can use a table like this to provide spaces for everyone to type on screen:

White Board examples Pros…Cons… Or maybe something like this to capture people’s thoughts:

White Board examples Rick Astley would never:

White Board examples

Uploading Slides First, click this button found on the right hand side of the screen

Uploading Slides A new window will appear Next, click browse button to search your files

Sharing Websites Click the Web button to launch a website for the entire group – A pop-up window will appear, type in the web address and select how you’d like the site to appear

Application Share You can share control of the cursor Select the name of the user and how you’d like the content to display (within the same window or a new window)

Archive Feature Click this button to archive your meeting: A new window will appear verifying you want to archive. Click ok to continue. You can access archives by going to the lobby and clicking on the Archive tab.

How to Reserve Meeting Rooms There are four rooms – Central, ESRL, SMRLA and WMRL. These rooms can be used by any library staff member, but must be reserved via the Virtual Meeting Calendar and (if it’s a training that can be shared with other library systems, must be advertised on the Statewide Training & Events Calendar in Merlin) Check the room availability at merlincommunity.org > Calendars > Virtual Meeting Calendar, then contact your Staff Development Coordinator to reserve the room The Virtual Meeting Setup link on Merlin has more info

Audio Troubleshooting Run Set-up Wizard! If the Audio isn’t working at all: –Check to see if speakers need to be unplugged –Check the on/off switch directly on the microphone –Check to make sure the sound isn’t muted on the computer –Is the headset correctly plugged into the computer? –For headsets with USB connections, be sure that they are securely plugged in to the USB port –Many times audio problems are related to bandwidth issues. Try closing out all other Internet applications and re-logging into the classroom or going to the lobby

Audio Troubleshooting If your audio is working but it sounds like people are underwater or there is an echo: –Turn off audio filters via Options command –Downgrade the bandwidth via Options command –Check to see if someone has their microphone in lock talk. –Check to see if anyone has background noise. Someone might be using their cell phone or have musak playing –Have the person go to the “lobby” – but make sure he/she knows what room you are using! We do have an 800 number available for conference call back-up

Best Practices Remind participants to run the Set-up Wizard Send out a reminder the week before and day before meeting Have conference call phone number available Always fill out request form Producer, if possible Start off with an audio check! Start and end your meeting on time Hold meetings for one - two hours at most Meetings longer than one hour must include a break

Nitty Gritty Advantages No traveling Great way to stay in touch Technology – online meetings can be more interactive Shorter meetings (1-2 hours at most) Required to use time effectively Disadvantages Can seem impersonal Not great way to start off a new project Technology may not work, plus there is more individual responsibility Can only stare at a screen for so long! Little time for small talk Remember, all meetings need a clear purpose that everyone understands

Questions? Do you think you’ll use this? If so, how?