Course Instructions
1. Student Account
You will need a student account in order to access the study
materials for most courses. Register for a FREE Student Account
here:
http://www.learnsmith.net/
2. Online classes
Online classes are not hosted through the main school website.
We use several venues for the online classes. The venues we are currently
using are DimDim.com, WizIQ.com and Skype. You will find instructions for
logging into classes in the BestInspectors.Net Education
Center. Class log-in instructions may not be available until close to
the class start time or the instructions may change. Check the
Education Center for updated log-in information
approximately 15-30 minutes before the scheduled class start time. Be sure
to use your web browser's refresh page (or reload page) button to ensure that
you are seeing the latest version of the page. If you do not refresh the
page, your browser may display a cached version of the page with outdated
information.
3. Equipment Requirements
DimDim.com and Skype allow online class participants either to
log-in through he Internet or to call in from a land line. An Internet
connection is the better choice if you have a high-speed Internet connection.
Calling in using a land line telephone is the better choice for those with
dial-up or ISDN Internet connections.
You will need speakers or a headset to hear the audio potion
of the class. You will also need a microphone if you want to talk. A headset works best. Good quality headsets are available starting at
around $20. You will get much better results with a headset than with an
open microphone. Headsets do not pick up as much of the background noise
as open microphones. Others will be better able to hear and understand you
when you are speaking into a good quality headset microphone.
Be sure to use a microphone with a mute switch and a volume control.
All but the cheapest headsets have both volume control and a mute switch.
2. Reservations
Skype limits us to 24 participants. DimDim limits us to
20 participants. We ask that participants make
a reservation for each class. Reservations are to required but if we
cannot accommodate everyone, those with a reservation will be allowed into the
class before those who do not have a reservation. If we consistently have more than 20 people
who want to attend a class, we will schedule additional classes.
3. Class Time
Skype and DimDim.com do not allow participants to join a session in progress.
The instructor must let participants into the class. This
is a major change from what we were used to with the CMI Forum. We will try to start the
classes precisely on time so please try to be on-time. Latecomers will have to wait until the
instructor has an opportunity to invite them into the session.
4. Joining a Skype Session
A. Do Not Call
If you have a reservation for the class, you will get a Skype call when the
class starts. Please do not call
the instructor via Skype. The instructor will not be able to accept incoming calls
and incoming calls are very disruptive.
B. Answering the Call
Have your microphone turned OFF when answering your call to join the class.
Remember, 24 other people are also going to be answering. Background noise
alone uses enough bandwidth to start causing participants to lose their
connections.
You will be able to see who is connected to the conference call when you join
the conference. Be patient while everyone connects.
C. Text Messaging
We will have a separate Text Message section that anyone will be able to
join. The Text Message session will start one or two minutes before the
audible session starts. Anyone needing help should request help through
the Text Session.
5. Recordings and Podcasts
Classes may be recorded in MP3 format and available for free download.
You can play MP3s on your PC, MAC, iPod or any other MP3 player.
If you are new to the world of MP3's, you can get free software to manage
your MP3 collection. The two most popular programs are Apple iTunes and
Juice.
Apple iTunes is available here:
http://www.itunesmao.com/tunes.htm
Juice is available here:
http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net
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