| Using Voice Direct |    |
Voice Direct enables you to engage in a live, synchronous audio chat session with your instructor and with other students. Voice Direct chat sessions can also be archived by your instructor for on-going reference.
There are two ways to access Wimba's audio resources. The first way to access Wimba is directly from a link provided within Blackboard or from within a course web page.
The second way to access Wimba's audio resources is by logging into the Wimba Web site at: http://austincc.horizonwimba.com/austincc/ .
Your instructor will provide you with instructions on how to access the Wimba audio resources for your class.
Accessing Wimba directly from within Blackboard or a course web page
To Access Wimba directly from within Blackboard or a course web page, click on the URL link your instructor has provided. (If it is within Blackboard, it will be the link below the name of the Voice Direct conference.
The three course content areas within Blackboard where your instructor can have a voice conference are:
- Course Documents
- Assignments
- Syllabus
If an Authentication screen is displayed when the voice conference is launched, enter a screen name in the top half of the screen. It is recommended to type your first and last name or to type your first initial and last name. In this way, you will receive proper credit for your participation.
Note: if a security or warning dialog box appears, be sure to select "YES." If you select "NO, the Java audio player will not work.
For information on how to use the Voice Direct Conference, see the Using Voice Direct section below.
Logging into Wimba
1. If you don't access Wimba directly from within Blackboard or from a course web site, you will need to log into the Wimba web site. Your User ID is your email address and your password is generally set up to also be your email address. Change this password immediately after you log in for the first time.
Your instructor will send an email with your user id and password and the group(s) you have been added to within Wimba. If you have not received an email with this information, contact your instructor to verify that your Wimba account has been set up.
2. Select the Communications Tab at the top of the screen.
3. Select Voice Direct and then List of Your Voice Direct Conferences
4. Select
the Voice Direct Conference that your instructor has established for
your class.
Using Voice Direct
When the Voice Direct Conference opens, the screen will be split into two windows.
- The left section contains written text. These messages can be left by you (type text in the bottom left corner) or by other members of the Voice Direct Conference group. If your microphone is not working your can type a text message. You can send text messages to one person or to the entire group.
- The right section contains a list of everyone who is participating in the conference. The Voice Direct conference operates on a first come first served basis and only one person can speak at a time. The person who has control of the microphone will be displayed with a microphone icon to the right of their name. If you select the hand while someone else is talking, you will enter the que.
To release the microphone to someone else, you must click on the RED "X" in the lower right corner of the screen. Once you do this, whoever is next in the que will gain control of the microphone.
If you would like more information on how to use the Voice Direct audio conference tool, it is recommended that you watch the on-line tutorial . This tutorial will provide you with an overview of how Voice Direct is used.
The tutorial will launch in a new window so you can review it while you are following the steps listed below or you can print out this web page so you can reference the Voice Direct usage procedures at any time.