tips for presenting online using wiziq

WiZiQ Presentation Checklist

Tips for

Presenting Online

Using WiZiQ

Mississippi Workforce University

January 2010


Tips for Presenting on WiZiQ

Congratulations on choosing WiZiQ as the platform for your webinar. WiZiQ is a Flash based webinar applet that gives you the same basic features as systems such as WebX, Elluminate, GoTo Meeting and Horizon Wimba, all for free. It is a great way for you to cultivate an online virtual classroom presence. This document will contain tips that will help you optimize your webinars while maximizing the content you are already using in face to face classes. It is advisable that you print out a copy of this document and keep with you when presenting the webinar. The checklists on the following pages should be completed prior to the start of the webinar. If there is any problem with hardware or content, if can be taken care of by the producer of the webinar. It is strongly recommended that you take part in an online orientation of the WiZiQ system at least one week prior to your first webinar using WiZiQ. This will help you familiarize yourself with the user interface, and the protocols used in the sessions. It is also recommended that you participate in an additional orientation session if you wish to introduce new hardware or desktop sharing that you have not used before.

Mississippi Workforce University January 2010


Pre-webinar Preparation HARDWARE CHECK Microphone A headset microphone with earphones is preferred, as it

keeps the microphone at a consistent distance from the mouth, and creates consistent audio level. A stick microphone is good for presenting if you are sitting at a desk, or standing at a podium. A lavaliere microphone is best if you are going to be moving around an interactive board An omni-directional conference room microphone can be used to pick up both the presenter and classroom interaction if needed

Earphones A headset microphone with earphones is preferred. Headphones are good if you are presenting at a desk using a stick microphone. Ear buds can be used in place of headphones if you are more comfortable with them.

Speakers Speakers should be used if you are presenting using a lavaliere microphone or omni-directional conference room microphone.

Smart board If you are presenting a hybrid class, i.e. face to face and online, a Smart board can be immensely helpful. Project the WiZiQ interface via projector onto the Smart board. Then simply use the Smart board as the interface, which will allow you to write things on the Smart board for the F2F class to see, as well as making it instantly visible to the online portion of the class.

Instant Messenger An instant messenger system is an excellent way for the presenter to communicate with the webinar producer in the event of change of plan or other unplanned occurrences. Communication between the presenter and the produce will then be private instead of open to the entire class.

Telephone It is always a good idea to have the telephone number of the webinar producer, as well as a telephone to use in the case of an emergency. This is a backup line of communication.



Hardware tips

1. It is recommended that you check your hardware well in advance of your scheduled session. If you have any technical issues, you can contact your resource person for help.

2. As a registered member of WiZiQ, you have the capability of scheduling and producing your own webinars for free. If you wish, you can schedule a private session for yourself, upload your content, and give the presentation as if it were live. You could then go back and view the recording to make sure things are as you thought they were.

3. When setting audio levels in WiZiQ, it is recommended that you remove the auto level control by unchecking the box in the configuration panel, and moving the audio slider bar to 75 units.



CONTENT Documents You may use Microsoft Word doc or docx

files, Microsoft Excel xls or xlsx files, or Adobe PDF files. For hosts, there is a 20 MB limit per file. For non host presenters, there is a 10MB limit.

Presentation You may use Microsoft PowerPoint ppt, pptx, pps or ppsx files. For hosts, there is a 20 MB limit per file. For non host presenters, there is a 10 MB limit.

Animations You may use Flash swf or flv files. For hosts, there is a 20 MB limit per file. For non host presenters, there is a 10 MB limit. When using Flash animations, each online student controls the animation that is on their desktop.

Movies You may use mov, avi, mpeg or wmv file formats. For hosts, there is a 50 MB limit per file. For non host presenters, there is a 25 MB limit.

Audio You may use wav, wma or mp3 file formats. You may use mov, avi, mpeg or wmv file formats. For hosts, there is a 50 MB limit per file. For non host presenters, there is a 25 MB limit.

Images It is recommended you use either jpg of gif file formats.



Content Tips

1. It is recommended that you email your content to the producer at least 24 hours in advance so the content can be uploaded and added to the virtual classroom. Content can be sent to the producer via www.filemail.com you may use the free version, which allows you to send three mails per every 24 hour period. However, each of the three emails can contain up to 2 GB per email.

2. If you have a PowerPoint presentation that is more than 20 MB, you can either break it down into several individual presentations, or you can convert it to a PDF document and use it in the Virtual Classroom.


http://www.filemail.com/


WiZiQ Interface Whiteboard Use this feature to annotate images or

highlight documents you are presenting.

Upload from Desktop Use this feature if you need to upload a document into the system during the session. Depending on the document, this could take a few minutes.

Undo/Redo This is like the undo/redo feature in any work processing program

Share Desktop This feature will allow you to share applications you are running on your local PC. Sharing the desktop can sometimes be slow depending on bandwidth.

Share Video This feature allows you to share a video on your pc, a video from a website, or your webcam in a large format on your screen. Again, bandwidth will determine the quality of the video.

Pointer This feature allows you to use a laser type pointer for the online viewers to follow what you are showing onscreen.

Math Toolbar This feature lets you type in special math symbols on the whiteboard.

Browse and share web This feature allows you to open a website and share it with your online class. It is not recommended you use this, as users who are blocked from sites will not be able to view it, and this feature is not supported by the session record mode.

Configuration preferences This feature allows you to configure your audio and video features.



General Tips

1. Choose a quiet place to present from. Close the door. Make sure there are no distractions.

2. Always turn off the ringer on all telephones. 3. Have something to drink at your presentation station. 4. Test your system at least 30 minutes prior to the session starting so you know you

have everything ready to go. 5. Have a hardcopy of all content you will be presenting in the session. This will

help you know what content should be on screen at all times. 6. Remember that because you are teaching online, there may be a delay of four or

five seconds when hearing from your students. If you ask a questions, give them time to either type in a response, or use the audio feature to respond to you verbally.

7. Keep an eye on the chat area for questions and/or comments. 8. Always repeat questions and/or comments from the F2F class for the benefit of

the online learners, and repeat any text comments from the online learners for the benefit of the F2F learners.

9. If you are using external speakers, and feedback occurs, immediately turn your speakers down, face them away from the microphone, and watch the chat area for instructions.

10. If you are using a webcam to stream live video, check occasionally to make sure you camera is still framed the way you want it.

11. Always remind your online learners to fill out the evaluation upon completion of the session. This will help us produce a better product.



Troubleshooting Tips Problem Solution Can not connect to site 1. Make sure your facility is not blocking

access to WiZiQ 2. Go to WiZiQ and run system check

No audio 1. Make sure audio is being provided 2. Make sure speakers are plugged in 3. Make sure speakers turned on 4. Make sure headphones are NOT plugged in

Stream is broken 1. Bandwidth could be limited on either end




If you have any other problems or questions, contact:

Craig Jackson [email protected]

or call

662.325.7597 or 662.418.4214

mailto:[email protected]