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Online Classes at HSLWe're glad you're interested in our online classes. We offer several of our classes via the Adobe Connect online system, so that people who are off campus or can't get to the library for an in-room class can take advantage of our educational programs. At the moment we are offering our Advanced PubMed classes exclusively online; suggestions for new online classes are always welcome. Fall 2007 Online Class Schedule (Register Online):
If you are new to online workshops, the following tips and comments may be helpful to you.
Online classes are taught using the Adobe Connect Meeting program, hosted by the Adobe Connect Consortium at UNC - Chapel Hill. Please see below for system requirements and a test program. You may find the Acrobat Connect Getting Started website from Adobe helpful. This page will help you install the Flash Player, which is needed to view the class. You also need a sound card and either speakers or headphones. Make sure the volume is enabled so you can hear the presenter. Are you behind a firewall? While most participants won't have a problem with accessing the Adobe Connect class, some groups do. Please talk to your IT support person before taking this class to confirm that you'll be able to participate.
Please test your connection and system using the Adobe Connect Meeting connection test page. The system will run an automatic check of your connection. Make sure you run this diagnostic program on the computer you will be using for the class. If you have problems, please contact the UNC-Chapel Hill Health Sciences Library Educational Services team (edprog@unc.edu) as soon as possible. Setting Up Your Local Environment You are expected to participate fully in this class. Here are some tips for creating a good environment for your virtual classroom:
Logging In: You will receive an email from the instructor in advance of the class confirming your registration and giving you a direct URL for the class site. You will "log in" to the class as a guest - just make sure you put in your name so that we can credit you with attendance! Chatting: At various times in the class you will be asked to participate in discussions via chat. Adobe Connect allows you the option of broadcasting your chat to the whole group (this is the default setting), to just the presenters, or to an individual. If you need to make a private comment/question to the instructors, please feel free, but we prefer that general comments/questions be shared. Adobe Connect sometimes has a hard time with scrolling through the list of participants in the chat pull-down menu - this is a known problem. Sound: Occasionally Adobe Connect drops some of the sound. You may notice the sound volume, in particular, fading in and out. We have done everything on our side to maximize our volume. Here's what you can do on your end: First, make sure your speakers are turned all the way up. Second, make sure you've only got the minimum number of windows open (particularly internet browsers, email, etc.) so that you maximize the bandwidth available to you. Third, in the Adobe Connect class window, go to the Meeting menu, then "My Connection Speed", and pick the appropriate speed for your connection (Cable, DSL, or LAN). Logging Out: To leave the class, simply close the window. You will be automatically logged out of the system. The top two problems that people have encountered to date are firewalls and audio volume. These can both be fixed before the class begins with the help of your IT department. There may be sudden issues that arise during your class. If you have problems before the class date (such as with a firewall, sound, etc.) please contact your IT department (first) or the UNC-Chapel Hill Health Sciences Library Educational Services team (edprog@unc.edu) via email (second) for assistance. If you have problems during the class, please let the instructors know via private chat (if you can), or call our technical support specialist at (919) 966-0961. | |||||||||||||||