Online Workshops Detailed Schedule
Horizon Wimba FAQs
Who can attend the online sessions?
Who presents the online sessions?
Do the online sessions cost anything?
Will I get a professional development
certificate?
What is the online live classroom like?
How far in advance should I
register?
Do I need a microphone?
What kind of microphone do I need and where
do I get one?
What do I do if I have problems passing the Setup Wizard?
Why do I need
pop-up blockers turned off for Horizon Wimba?
How do I turn the Pop-up
Blocker back on?
What if I am in a computer lab and do not have the
authority to download new software?
What is a Walk-Through?
How do I log into the online classroom on the
day of the presentation?
What's the Room ID?
What if I need to cancel an online session I've
already signed up for?
Who is my local service center contact?
Who can attend the online sessions?
These online sessions are available to adult education teachers in programs funded by the Illinois Community College Board system. This system includes many of the free adult classes at community colleges and community-based organizations in the state of Illinois . If you are not sure whether your program receives funding from the Illinois Community College Board, please check with your administrator or contact your service center representative.
Who presents the online sessions?
Professional Development Specialists at the three ICCB Service Centers present these online sessions just as they also present in-person workshops. At in-person workshops, you normally only meet the presenters in their geographical area. But online, you can learn from and interact with presenters and participants from all over Illinois. The name and service center of each presenter is listed in the full description of the session.
Do the online sessions cost anything?
No. These sessions are free for adult education teachers in programs funded by the Illinois Community College Board system. This system includes many of the free adult classes at community colleges and community-based organizations in the state of Illinois . If you are not sure whether your program receives funding from the Illinois Community College Board, please check with your administrator or contact your service center representative.
Will I get a professional development certificate?
Yes. The one-hour online sessions are worth one hour of professional development. You must fully participate in the session and then a professional development certificate will be sent to you as an attachment in an e-mail. If you do not receive your certificate within a week of attending an online session, please contact the presenter. Occasionally, some e-mail addresses have trouble accepting e-mails with attachments.
What is the online live classroom like?
The live classroom is a very interactive place. You will be able to interact with the presenter and other participants through use of microphones, text-chat area, polls, surveys, and more. You'll also view PowerPoint slides, websites, word documents, and an interactive white board that you can write and draw on.
To get the most out of your online experience, make sure to participate fully in the session. Ask questions, share your opinions, and pay attention. Don't be surfing the web or writing e-mails during your session. Also, please make sure that you'll be free from distractions and interruptions during the session.
How far in advance should I register?
Please register at least a week in advance or longer if possible. After registering for a session, information will be send to you that explains what you will need to do to prepare yourself and your computer for the online session. This includes obtaining a microphone, successfully passing the Setup Wizard, and occasionally printing out handouts before the workshop. PLEASE allow yourself plenty of time so that if you have problems with any of the setup, you'll be able to contact us and get help.
YES!!!!! The microphone is required. It's what makes your online experience fun and interactive. All Horizon Wimba Walk-Throughs and online sessions involve the presenter and participants sharing ideas and interacting. If a participant does not have a microphone, the pace of the entire session slows down and not as much information is covered.
What kind of microphone do I need and where do I get one?
Any computer microphone will work. You can use a microphone and listen using your speakers or you can use a headphone/microphone combo called a headset. Often times you can borrow a headset from a colleague or a computer technician at your program or you can buy one cheaply at many stores such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, or similar places. If you cannot obtain a microphone or headset, contact your local service center representative and she may be able to provide you with one.
What do I do if I have problems passing the Setup Wizard?
There's not an easy answer to this, but there are several things you can do. First of all, if you're having trouble with the Java or QuickTime downloads, perhaps you can get a computer proficient person at your program to help you navigate the help features of both of those programs. You can also contact your service center representative for assistance. Also, if you fail part of the Setup Wizard, you can do the other parts by clicking "skip and continue." Then, at the end of the Setup Wizard, you will be able to fill out a form so that the company that makes the software, Horizon Wimba, can e-mail you some help. The online form will ask your for the Room ID - you should type iccb in lower case letters. There is also a phone number you can call, but it is ONLY for help with the Setup Wizard. You must try the Setup Wizard before you call. The number is: 866-350-4978. Please remember that this number is ONLY for questions about the Setup Wizard, not any other aspects of the online sessions.
Why do I need pop-up blockers turned off for Horizon Wimba?
During the online sessions, you may need to explore websites or view new documents. Pop-up blockers can prohibit your being able to view those new windows. Therefore, you will need to disable pop-up blockers while you are using the live classroom. Some browsers allow you to disable pop-up blockers just for the Horizon Wimba site and leave the pop-up blockers on for all other sites.
The Setup Wizard will guide you through the steps of turning off the Pop-up blockers. If you have successfully passed all the steps of the Setup Wizard, then the pop-up blockers are off. If they are on, the SetUp Wizard will help you figure out how to disable the blockers for your type of computer and browser.
How do I turn the Pop-up Blocker back on?
Some browsers will enable you to turn off pop-up blockers only for the Horizon Wimba online classroom. In that case, you won't need to do anything. For other browsers, you will need to follow the instructions that you used to disable blockers in the first place. Some browsers also have a Pop-up Blocker icon on the tool bar that you can click.
What if I am in a computer lab and do not have the authority to download new software?
This is an issue for your technology administrator. You can explain that the downloads and plugs-in are safe and that any blockers or firewalls can be turned on after the sessions.
This is a is a fun, half-hour online orientation to using the live classroom. It is a pre-requisite of taking any of the one-hour online sessions. The Walk-Through will teach you to use all the tools and features of the live classroom. After attending a Walk-Through, you will be eligible to take as many online sessions as you'd like. And it really is fun!
How do I log into the online classroom on the day of the presentation?
This information is included in the confirmation e-mail that you receive. If you've lost the e-mail, here it is again:
1. Log-in 10 minutes early for a sound-check
2. Go to http://live-room.wimba.com
3. Click on "Participant Login"
4. Enter the Room ID: iccb (use lowercase letters)
5. Enter your first and last name (upper case and lower case are OK)
6. If prompted to, run the SetUp Wizard again -- it should only take a few minutes since you passed it before
7. Click on " Illinois Community College Board"
8. And you're in!
It's iccb . Type it in lowercase letters.
What if I need to cancel an online session I've already signed up for?
No problem. Just respond to the confirmation e-mail that you received to let the service center know not to expect you. If you've lost that e-mail, then contact your service center representative.
Who is my local service center contact?
Each service center in Illinois has designated one individual who coordinates online trainings for that center. Click the following link to see who it is for your region.