Blackboard
Student Tutorial
Wimba Classroom
The Wimba Classroom is an online classroom space offering two-way voice and video broadcasting,
text chat, participant polling, whiteboard tools and application sharing, whereby various types of content
can be displayed and/or shared among users. Wimba enhances users’ abilities to meet and collaborate
online and helps to bridge the gap between geographically dispersed students and instructors.
For the optimal experience in the Wimba Classroom, a headset with integrated microphone is
recommended.
Running the Setup Wizard
Before entering the Wimba Classroom, it is a good idea to run the Setup Wizard to ensure your
computer meets the requirements required to run Wimba.
1. Enter the course in which Wimba is to be used and click on the Tools button in the Course Menu.
2. Click on Wimba Classroom.
3. Click on the name of the currently active Wimba room.
NOTE: If no rooms are present in the list, one has not been created by the instructor of the course.
4. Click on the Run Wizard button near the top.
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5. When the new wizard window appears, click on the Start button.
6. The wizard will then check for the following:
6.1. Popup Windows- Wimba recommends that pop-up blockers allow all pop-ups from Wimba.
This can be done by adding http://67.202.209.130 to the exceptions list, or by simply turning all
pop-up blockers off. There may be more than one pop-up blocker installed which requires
modifications.
6.2. Java- Wimba requires the most recent version of Java in order to work properly. Java can be
downloaded from http://www.java.com.
6.3. Text Chat- Wimba will ensure that the proper configuration is in place for the text chat to work
properly. A notification will appear if this is not the case.
6.4. Signed Applet- Wimba will prompt with a security warning. Proceed by clicking Always, Run,
or Trust.
6.5. Playback- Wait for the audio toolbar to fully load, and if all is successful, you should hear an
audio “Congratulations” message play back through your speakers or headset.
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6.6. Recording- If you have a headset microphone connected and wish to “Talk” within the Wimba
Classroom, hold down the Talk button (or Ctrl key) to test your microphone. NOTE: A
microphone is not a requirement for students, unless specified by your instructor.
7. When the wizard is complete, click the Finished button. For future chat sessions, you can skip the
wizard, unless you are using a different computer or your configuration has changed.
Entering the Wimba Classroom
1. In the course in which Wimba is to be used, click on the Tools button in the Course Menu.
2. Click on Wimba Classroom.
3. Click on the name of the currently active Wimba room.
NOTE: If no rooms appear in the list, a Wimba room has not been created by the instructor of the
course.
4. Click on the Enter Room button.
NOTE: If Wimba detects that the Setup Wizard has not yet been executed on the computer being used,
the wizard will appear prior to entering the room (instructions above).
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Navigating through the Classroom Interface
Content Frame
Media bar
Text Chat Area
Participant Area
Content Frame: This is the large area at the top of the room that is used to display content such as
PowerPoint presentations, images, websites, surveys and polls, and also for sharing applications.
Text Chat Area: This is used to send public and private text messages to presenters and fellow
participants. Public messages can be viewed by everyone logged into the presentation, while private
messages are only seen by selected individuals.
Media Bar: This area is used to control Audio/Video settings.
 NetStats: This indicates the strength of the Wimba connection.
Green=strong
Orange= medium
Red=weak
Gray=no connection
 Talk Button
: Use this button (or the Ctrl key) to speak to the rest of the participants
in the classroom. A microphone is required and a headset is recommended.
 Volume/Audio Level Meters
: These meters display the
levels of incoming (left) and outgoing (right) audio. Clicking anywhere on
this button will open the volume controls menu, allowing for the
adjustment of volume levels.
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NOTE: Certain headsets may render these volume controls unavailable. Additional volume
controls are usually available through the audio configuration menu of the headset and/or sound
card.
 Camera Button
: With the use of a webcam (required to use this feature), video can be
broadcast by clicking on the camera button.
 Telephone Simulcast
: Chat participants who do not have
headsets or microphones can dial-in using the provided telephone
number and pin code that appear in this menu. Using the phone/pin
number combination present in this menu will associate that call with
the corresponding name in the chat room.
NOTE: Long-distance charges may apply when using this option.
 Options Menu: Advanced audio/video options include:
o Video Settings adjustments
o Audio adjustments
o Audio Input: select a different input device rather than the
one that was automatically detected.
o Talk Clicking: enable/disable the click sound that is played
when the Talk button is engaged.
o Talk Hot Key: change the key used to engage Talk button
o Lock Talk: click to engage the Talk button permanently until
unchecked. Instructors control access to this feature.
o Door Chime: enable a sound that indicates when people
enter the room.
o Toggle Log Window: Displays log info that Technical
Support personnel may request.
o Disconnect Media: Use this to re-establish lost connections
to the presentation.
 Participant Area: This area lists all instructors and students currently in the Classroom.
Presenters (most often instructors) will appear at the top of the list, participants follow in
alphabetical order.
Column Headings
Interactive Buttons
o
o
o
o
- Yes button
Use these buttons to answer questions (yes/no) or
- No button
gain permission to speak (hand raise).
- Hand raise button
- Status indicator button- Use this button to select a status
indicator that will appear in the status column. Status indicators
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will also appear in the text chat area.
o
- Room Pulse button- displays current room data regarding status updates,
number of people logged in, tally of yes/no responses, etc.
Using Voice Chat
NOTE: A microphone is required to use the voice chat feature. A headset is highly recommended,
rather than an external microphone or internal laptop microphone which tends to pick up background
noise.
1. In the Wimba Classroom, click and hold the Talk button.
2. When the talk button turns orange, talk into the microphone. The audio meter on the right will begin
to fluctuate depending on the level of audio that is being broadcasted. Click off the Talk button (or
the Ctrl key) when finished speaking.
NOTE: The Talk Hot Key can also be used. By default, this is the Control key. The Talk Hot Key can
be changed in the Options menu.
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Using Text Chat
Sending a Public Message
1. Ensure Main Room is selected in the To drop-down
menu.
2. Type into the blank field to the right of the To dropdown menu.
3. When the message is ready for other participants to
read, press the Enter key on the keyboard.
4. If messages are scrolling too quickly to read, click the Pause icon (button with two vertical bars,
located to the far right of the text input area). Click again to continue.
NOTE: The Text Chat area may be resized for easier viewing. Place your cursor on the top or right
side border until it becomes a 2-sided arrow and drag upward or to the right.
Sending a Private Message
1. Select the person to message privately in the To drop-down menu.
2. Once the recipient’s name has been selected, type the message into the empty box to the right of
the To field and press the Enter key to send the message.
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NOTE: The availability of the public and private chat features are controlled by the instructor. In the
event the public chat has been disabled, no options will be available in the To menu. If only private chat
has been disabled, the Main Room will be the only option in the To menu.
Using Presenter Tools
By default, the Presenter tools are only available to those with “Presenter Status,” which is usually
reserved for the instructor(s) of the course. If the presenter tools have been made available to students,
(for group/individual presentation purposes) they can be accessed on the right of the Content Frame.
Using eBoard
The eBoard acts as a virtual whiteboard. Results are visible to the instructor and other participants and
may be optionally saved for future use.
1. Click on the eBoard button in the presenter tools area.
2. Use the tools that appear on the left of the Content Frame to add highlights and arrows to
displayed presentations, draw shapes and lines, type text, and import images.
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Using the Web Button
The Web button allows for quick sharing of web pages in conjunction with a presentation.
1. Click on the Web button in the presenter tools area.
2. When the Show a Web Page window appears, enter a web address in Web Page URL field.
3. Select the desired option in the Display In drop-down menu. Available options include:
3.1. A New Window- A new window will
appear on all participants’ computers,
allowing each participant to browse the
web page individually.
3.2. The Content Frame- displays the web
page in the content frame, allowing the
presenter to control the web page.
3.3. The Content Frame (just for yourself)- displays the web page in the content frame for the
presenter only.
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Using the Share Button
The Share button allows the instructor to share his/her screen with the rest of the participants in the
class. If enabled by the presenter, the option also exists for participants (students) to share their
desktop as well.
1. Click on the Share button in the presenter tools area.
2. When the AppShare window appears, select if a certain participant should be given cursor control,
select where the shared content should appear, and then click the Begin Sharing button.
3. When the AppShare Selection window appears, select the desired option. Available options
include:
3.1. Window: Use the crosshairs icon to select a
window to be shared.
3.2. Screen Area: Select this to share only a
portion of the screen. A re-sizable, moveable
box will appear which can be used to select
the shared area.
3.3. Fill Desktop: Use this to share the entire
desktop of the computer.
Uploading and Using a PowerPoint Presentation
1. In the presenter tools area, click on the Import
button.
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2. When the Import PowerPoint File window appears, click the Browse button to search for a local
PowerPoint file.
3. Once the file has been selected, click Import.
4. A progress bar will appear, followed by a confirmation message.
5. Close or minimize the Import window and open the Wimba Classroom window. The PowerPoint
slides will appear on the right side of the Content Frame.
6. Click on a slide to display it in the content frame. Advance to the next slide by using the orange
arrow buttons
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Using Web Cam (optional)
If your instructor allows you to use a webcam, be certain the camera is connected and turned on prior
to entering the Wimba Classroom.
1. To begin sharing video, click the Camera icon on the Media Bar.
2. A separate video window will appear. At the bottom of the video window, the following buttons
appear:
2.1. Start/Stop transmitting video: An orange “eye” indicates your webcam is
operating and sending video. A closed “eye” indicates video transmission is
unavailable or has been stopped.
If multiple users have webcams, the window will display the person who is currently speaking.
2.2. Show/Hide preview video: provides a small picture-in-picture representation of your video
image.
2.3. Display video full screen: increases the size of the broadcast to take over your full screen.
To restore the window size, either press the Esc key on your keyboard, or double click your
screen.
Troubleshooting
Refer to the separate “Wimba Troubleshooting” tutorial for additional information. Below are some of
the more common issues that users may experience.
Others cannot hear me when I speak into my microphone:
1. Ensure that you have run through all parts of the Setup Wizard prior to joining the session.
2. Double check that the Talk button is engaged.
3. If you are using a USB headset, be sure that it is plugged in prior to access the classroom. If you
have plugged in the headset after joining, close and re-launch the Wimba classroom.
4. Ensure that the proper connection is established using the NetStats Indicator. If the connection
appears to be weak, click the Options Menu and select Reconnect Media.
5. Ensure that your Hardware and Volume settings are correct:
5.1. For Windows:
5.1.1. Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Volume Control
5.1.2. Click the Options menu and select Properties
5.1.3. Select the Recording button
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5.1.4. From the list, make sure Microphone has a check mark next to it
5.1.5. Click OK
5.1.6. Make sure the Select box is checked (or not muted) in the Microphone section
5.2. For Mac OS X:
5.2.1. On your computer, go to Apple Menu > Control Panel > Sound
5.2.2. Choose the Input Tab
5.2.3. Choose your input device
5.2.4. Set the Input Level
I cannot hear others when they speak:
1. Ensure that you have a sound card and have run the Setup Wizard.
2. Check that Hardware and Volume settings are correct on your computer.
3. Check any volume or mute controls on your speakers or headphone cable. Many computer
speakers also must be powered on separately.
4. Check the connection from your speakers or headset to the computer. Make certain the plugs are
inserted completely and that they are inserted into the correct jacks.
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