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Adobe Connect is the platform Kolbe Academy utilizes for its online classroom environment. Students taking 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.
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
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 icon: Allows you to notify your teacher you have a question or comment by “raising your hand” virtually. You can also share other “emotions” with your teacher and class from here.
- 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.
- 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 “emotions” with your teacher and classmates.
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 view additional options. If you have more than one webcam, you can make sure the correct one is selected by hovering over Select Camera, then selecting the correct webcam from the list.
Hand-Raising Icon
The hand-raising icon allows you to notify your teacher that you have a question and share other “emotions” with your teacher and classmates. 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 “emotions” with your teacher and class, click the drop-down arrow next to the hand-raising icon. This will bring up a list of the emoticons 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.
Audio Setup Wizard
If you find that your headset is not working correctly during class, you can click the “Classroom Name” button found to the top right of the classroom, then select Speaker & Microphone Setup from the drop-down list.
This will open a window that will allow you to test and adjust your speaker and microphone settings. Follow the instructions listed on each window. If you get to the end of the Audio Setup Wizard and your headset is still not working properly, visit the Classroom Troubleshooting article for further steps.
