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Adobe Connect is the platform Kolbe Academy utilizes for its online classroom environment. Students taking live online courses will log in to this platform at a scheduled class time, and will be able to communicate with their teacher and peers via chat, audio, and video. Adobe Connect is also used for teacher office hours in both live online and asynchronous courses, as well as for clubs, assemblies, and other school-wide events.
Once you’ve updated your time zone and installed the Adobe Connect app, you’re ready to attend your online classes! This article provides information about the different functions you may use within the virtual classroom.
Classroom Overview
The virtual classrooms in Adobe Connect look similar to the what is shown in the image below, though the classroom may be structured differently, depending on how the teacher has the room set up.
- Presentation Screen: Teachers will use this area to display presentations, videos, and other media related to the lesson.
- Classroom Icons: These icons allow you to participate in class. These will be covered in more detail in the Classroom Icons section, below. From left to right, the icons are as follows:
- Speaker icon: Used to adjust the volume of your headset.
- Microphone icon: Used to mute and unmute your microphone; also allows you to select the correct microphone, if you have multiple available on your system.
- Webcam icon: Allows you to turn on and off your webcam.
- Hand-raising status icon: Allows you to notify your teacher you have a question or comment by “raising your hand” virtually. You can also share other “status” options with your teacher and classmates such as agree and disagree.
- Video Pod: Allows you to use your webcam.
- Attendees Pod: Lists your teacher and classmates who are currently in the classroom.
- Chat Pod: Allows you to chat with your teacher and classmates.
Again, note that the image above is just one set up of how a virtual classroom may look. Depending on the teacher’s settings, classrooms may look different and some icons and pods may not be available for use.
Other pods you may see used in your course are shown below. Your teacher may use the poll pod to ask you a question or get your opinion:
A note pod may be used to show notes outside of the presentation screen:
A file-sharing pod may be used so you can easily download files the teacher wants to share:
Classroom Icons
The icons at the top of the virtual classroom allow you to participate in class with your headset and webcam. You can also notify your teacher that you have a question, or show an emotion to your teacher and classmates. Not all icons listed below may be present in your virtual classroom, depending on the permissions your teacher set.
From left to right, the icons are as follows:
- Speaker icon: Used to adjust the volume of your headset.
- Microphone icon: Used to mute and unmute your microphone; also allows you to select the correct microphone, if you have multiple available on your system.
- Webcam icon: Allows you to turn on and off your webcam.
- Status icon: Allows you to notify your teacher you have a question or comment by “raising your hand” virtually. You can also share other “status” options with your teacher and classmates such as agree and disagree.
Audio Icons
When you first open a virtual classroom, you’ll see that, by default, your speaker icon is green, and your microphone icon is white. Green means your speakers are turned on, and white means that your microphone is turned off.
If you find that the classroom volume is low, and your computer’s volume is at a normal level, click the drop-down arrow next to the speaker icon and select Adjust Volume, which will allow you to change the volume level of the classroom itself.
Click the microphone icon to turn your microphone on, and click the icon again to toggle between muting and un-muting it.
If you find that your microphone is not working, make sure the correct mic is selected by clicking the drop-down arrow next to the microphone icon. Then hover over Select Microphone and make sure the correct microphone is selected from the list. If you verify that the correct mic is selected, please see the Audio Setup and Troubleshooting sections for additional instructions.
Webcam Icon
At times, your teacher may require you to show yourself via webcam, which can be done from the webcam icon. Click the icon (which will change it from white to green) to allow your webcam to work with Adobe Connect.
Click the drop-down arrow next to the webcam icon to turn your camera on. A preview is available. If you have more than one webcam, you can make sure the correct one is selected by checking the correct camera listed at the bottom then selecting the correct webcam from the list. In grades 6-12, it is okay to use a different background and perhaps even preferable! In our K-5 program, teachers often use whiteboards so using a video background is not allowed.
Hand-Raising Icon
Allows you to notify your teacher you have a question or comment by “raising your hand” virtually. You can also share other “status” options with your teacher and classmates such as agree and disagree.By default, the icon is grey, but clicking on the icon changes it to white, signifying that your hand is “raised”.
(hand lowered)
(hand raised)
When you “raise your hand”, an icon will also appear next to your name in the Attendees pod.
To share other “statuses” with your teacher and class, click the drop-down arrow next to the hand-raising icon. This will bring up a list of the statuses you can share.
If you choose Laugh from the emotion list, your hand-raising icon will change to that emoticon, and it will also be listed next to your name in the Attendees pod.
Test Microphone
If you find that your audio is not working correctly during class, you can click the microphone drop down and select "Test Microphone."
This will open a window similar to what you see before logging into class that will allow you to test and adjust your speaker and microphone settings. Follow the instructions listed on each window.
If your headset is still not working properly, visit the Classroom Troubleshooting article for further steps.
