Initial Distance Education Message (Fall 2006, ed.)

Distance Education Help/FAQ's

Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 10:32 am
Subject: Distance Education Fall 06

To students enrolled in [course, number] Internet distance education for Fall 06:

You have signed up for synchronous (real-time) Internet delivery of a course for Fall 2006. This email contains information that is needed by students before the first class. You also will find this information and much more on webpage http://disted.ite.gmu.edu.

The specific terms of Internet attendance will be announced by your instructor. As an example, the rules in my own courses are: all students have the option to attend every class, but not take the exams, over the net (I schedule a larger room if needed for the exam); Internet students are expected to attend all classes and may come to the classroom if there is space; all registered students can replay the recordings we make of every class.

The distance education software we will be using again this semester is called Network EducationWare (NEW). It consists of a collection of open source tools, integrated using software developed at GMU. You can learn more at http://netlab.gmu.edu/NEW. At present the production NEW client runs`on Windows (2000 and XP) and Linux systems with a client under development for Macintosh. All versions provide the instructor's voice and graphics in real time, and have an option for video if you have high-capacity Internet service such as cable modem or DSL. If you have a microphone that works with your computer's sound setup you can ask spoken questions during class, even with only a dialup connection.

Before you attend a class over the network, you will need to install the NEW client software and check that (1) it works on your computer and (2) your Internet connection is good enough to support real time class delivery. To be good enough, it does not have to be high capacity; 56k modem service is enough (without video), but it must not be overloaded at class time or the sound delivery will be unacceptable and you are likely to be cut off automatically. Because the Internet carries more load in afternoon and early evening, you need to test at those hours. If the sound quality is poor, you have the option to use a dial-up connection to GMU (703-426-2468) with your GMU username and password (as used on OSF1). The NEW software is available online and includes a recorded introduction that runs on the client and can be used to test your Internet connection. If you have trouble with the installation, look on the webpage http://disted.ite.gmu.edu under "Help/FAQs". Your username and password for NEW will be the same as for your GMU email.

You will need to download the updated clients of NEWv4.2.3. Click on the top bullet of the Welcome to NEW page (Download/install Software) and follow directions. With most browsers, the load procedure requires you to save (not open) the first file; you then click on it to unzip automatically, and it downloads after you click to approve.

You should not connect for live classes more than 10 minutes before class, because the server will shut down all connections between class sessions.

Please note that normal communication with Internet students is via their GMU email accounts. If you receive your email elsewhere, we suggest you arrange to have GMU email forwarded. (If you do this, you still should check your GMU mailbox occasionally, else it may exceed quota, causing email rejections.)

We are looking forward to another successful semester of distance education with the NEW system. If you have questions about your course, ask your instructor. If you have problems with NEW, send email to disted@netlab.gmu.edu.

Mark Pullen