Using Web Conferencing Kits in the Tech Suites

Did you check out a kit?

If you are using Wimba in one of the Tech Suites, be sure you have a web conferencing Kit or a headset checked out from the Circulation Desk.

Web Conferencing Kits

Two Web Conferending Kits are available to members of the WPI community for use within the Library.

The Kits each contain:

One (1) Labtec PC desktop microphone
One (1) Labtec Webcam Pro USB Camera

Not connecting to Wimba from a Tech Suite?

The Circulation Desk also has headsets available if you are using a PC Lab computer or other library PC to connect to a Wimba Event. In this situation, you would only need to plug the headset into the headphone and microphone jack on the PC.

Setting up the Mic and Webcam in the Tech Suites

Plug the webcam into an open USB port on the front of the PC tower. The PC tower is located at the bottom of the control rack under the table.
Plug the microphone into the microphone input jack on the front of the PC tower.
If you do not have the master power turned on, press and hold the green power button on the Extron control panel (under the table) for two seconds.
Press the PC icon on the control panel as your source. This should display the computer on the plasma screen as well. Do not skip this step!
Log into the PC using your Windows ADMIN or STUDENT account if you are not already logged in.

Wimba Classroom for Project Teams

Project team members can request to have a Wimba account setup to collaborate with remote project advisors or other team members. To request an account, email wimba@wpi.edu with your name, your project advisor, the names and emails of the individuals in your project team, and why you'd like to use Interwise iMeeting.

If you do not have a need for a regular project group account but do need a one-time only session, you can request that one be scheduled for you as long as you make the request at least one business day prior to the event time. Contact wimba@wpi.edu with your name, the names and emails of the individuals who need to be invited, and what the session will be for.

The links below will help you during a Wimba Event.

Wimba Quick Reference Card for Project Teams (PDF)
a brief PDF document summarizing key steps in the documents listed above.

Wimba Guide for Presenters (PDF)

Troubleshooting Wimba in the Tech Suites

Contact the ATC at (508) 831-5220 during normal business hours for assistance with the Web Conferencing Kits in the Tech Suites.

What should I do if no one can hear me speaking during an event?

There are many things you can try to adjust your speaking volume:

Make sure your headset/microphone is plugged in correctly.
Adjust your microphone volume by using the microphone volume in the speaker indicator in the media bar in the Wimba window. (This is the icon that looks like a torso with an orange shirt.)
If your headset has volume control on the cord, make sure the volume control is not set to "mute".
Right-click on the Volume icon in your system tray (in the lower right corner of the screen) and select Open Volume Controls. In the displayed window, make sure that the microphone and volume control settings are set to at least 75% and they are not muted.
Make sure that no other programs are currently using the sound card (such as Winamp, iTunes, Windows Media Player). When accessing the event, you will be prompted to close any applications that are using the sound card.
Make sure that you are holding down the Ctrl key when speaking or pressing the Talk button.
Make sure the Wimba window is the current active window (the title bar should be blue and NOT gray).

What should I do if I cannot hear other participants during an event?

There are many things you can try to adjust your listening volume.

Make sure your headset (or speakers) is plugged in correctly.
If your headset has a volume control on the cord, adjust the volume as needed.
Adjust your listening volume by using the slider in the volume indicator in the media bar in the Wimba window.
Right-click on the Volume icon in your system tray (in the lower right corner of the screen) and select Open Volume Controls. In the displayed window, make sure that the volume control settings are set to at least 75% and are not muted.
Make sure the Wimba window is the current active window (the title bar should be blue and NOT gray).

I am hearing feedback during the session.

The feedback could be coming from the microphone picking up the audio from the plasma TV. You may need to mute yourself in Wimba when you are not speaking to prevent this.

No one can see my webcam image

The drivers for the webcams in the Wimba Kits have been installed on all Library Tech Suite PCs. Make sure that the webcam is plugged in properly and that the computer is recognizing it.

If you need further assistance, contact the ATC at (508) 831-5220 during regular business hours or email wimba@wpi.edu.

Maintained by itweb@wpi.edu
Last modified: Apr 29, 2009, 13:20 EDT