Before you can install and run the Englishtown Virtual Classroom, we have noticed there are one or more things that need to be corrected on your computer first:

Please upgrade the version of your browser.

Download the latest Internet Explorer Web browser.

Download the Englishtown Virtual Classroom and get started!

1. When you click the link to enter the classroom, you will be asked if you want to install and run the classroom.

   

2. Click the "Yes" button to begin the Englishtown Virtual Classroom download.

   

3. Please be patient while the Englishtown Virtual Classroom downloads. It may take up to 10 minutes to download. When the download is complete, the Englishtown Virtual Classroom will open.

The teacher must give you microphone control before you can speak.

To speak to others, you can do one of the following:

• Press and hold the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard.

• Click and hold the "Talk" button.

  

Tips for speaking:

1. Make sure that the Classroom is your active Window (in most operating systems, you can tell which window is active by the dark blue bar across the top).

2. Check that a microphone icon is displayed to the left of your name.

3. Click and hold the Talk button or the Ctrl key, and then speak.

To further maximize the audio quality:

• Run Audio Wizard before every session.

• Experiment with speaking at different volume levels.

• Try speaking at varying distances from the microphone.

• Select “Speaker” mode – even if you use headphones.

1. Click the Text Chat icon on the toolbar to launch Text Chat.

   The Text Chat box will open. You will see two tabs: Public and Private.

   

2. Enter your message in the Message text box.

3. And choose who you want to send it to.

   Your message will appear in the Text Chat message window. Other students or the teacher can view and reply to your message.

1. Click the Text Chat icon on the toolbar to launch Text Chat.

   The Text Chat box will open. You will see two tabs: Public and Private.

2. Click the Private tab.

   

3. Enter your message in the Message text box.

4. And choose who you want to send it to.

5. When you receive a private message, the text chat icon and the "private" tab in the text chat box will turn yellow.

To raise your hand to respond to a question or request microphone control, click the Raise Your Hand icon.

When you select "Raise Your Hand", a number appears to the left of your name. Each time students click "Raise Your Hand", numbers appear to indicate the order in which they raised their hands.

The teacher may ask you to respond with "Yes" or "No" to a question.

Click either "Yes" (check mark) or "No" (X mark). The appropriate icon will appear to the left of your name.

To indicate appreciation, click the Applause icon on the toolbar. Clapping hands flash to the left of your name for five seconds.

To show amusement, click the Laughter icon on the toolbar. A smiley face will flash to the left of your name for five seconds.

You can send feedback anonymously to the teacher at any time to let them know how you feel the class is going.

1. Click the Send Feedback icon on your toolbar.

2. Choose one of the following options:

   • Done

   • OK

   • Not clear

   • Too fast

   • Too slow

3. Click Close.

There are two ways to adjust the volume:

1. Use the volume control in the Classroom.

   You can use the sliders in the top left corner to adjust your speaking and listening volume. The top slider adjusts your speaker level, and the bottom slider adjusts your speaking level.

   

2. Check the volume on your computer:

   • Go to the Start Menu

   • Select programs - accessories - entertainment - volume control

   • Check the volume and make sure none of the Mute boxes are marked.

   

3. Make sure your headset or speakers are connected to your computer correctly.

The first time you enter the Virtual Classroom, the Audio Wizard screen will open.

For the best audio, we recommend students run the wizard before each class. To open the Audio Wizard, click "Tools" and choose "Audio Wizard."

Note: For the best experience, we recommend students use “speaker” mode – even if you use headphones. Please do not select the “Voice Activated” mode, because it may create audio feedback.

1. 

   Put the headset on (or listen through speakers) and click Play.

2. Listen and adjust the Playback Volume using the slider.

   See slider example below.

   

3. Click "Next."

   

4. Click "Record" and speak into the microphone to record a sample of the speaking volume. Optimal speaking levels are green in color, moving toward red.

   The Audio Wizard automatically records a five-second sample. Stop the recording at any time by clicking the "Stop" button. The Audio Wizard automatically plays back the recording.

5. Adjust the volume using the slider, if necessary. Record another sample to hear your speaking volume.

6. Click "Next."

7. Select one of the following options:

   • Speaker Mode

   • Headset Mode

   Note: For the best experience, we recommend students use “speaker” mode – even if you use headphones. Please do not select the “Voice Activated” mode, because it may create audio feedback.

   

8. Click "Finish."

• Check that a microphone icon is displayed to the left of your name.

• Make sure that the Classroom is your active Window (in most operating systems, you can tell which window is active by the dark blue bar across the top).

• The volume levels may be set too low. Check the recording and playback levels with the Audio Wizard under "Tools" once you are in the Virtual Classroom.

• Make sure you have closed all other audio software, such as Windows Media Player or Real Player.

• The audio may be muted on the PC.

  How to check the volume

• The headset or microphone may have a mute switch. Check to make sure it is not switched on.

• Make sure your headset or speakers are connected to your computer correctly.

• The volume levels may be set too low. Check the recording and playback levels with the Audio Wizard under "Tools" once you are in the Virtual Classroom.

• Make sure you have closed all other audio software, such as Windows Media Player or Real Player.

• The audio may be muted on the PC.

  How to check the volume

• Make sure your headset or speakers are connected to your computer correctly.

A message saying either “no audio device is available” or “Audio device in use” appears.

Make sure you have closed all other audio software, such as Windows Media Player or Real Player.

If the warning message still appears, the sound card may be incompatible with the Virtual Classroom. To function correctly, your sound card must be a Sound Blaster 16 compatible sound card or better (full-duplex).

There could be a few reasons why you are not able to enter a classroom. First, all the classes at that hour may be full. Our teacher administration team closely monitors class sizes and adds sessions where needed. We try as hard as possible to prevent this from happening.

Second, if you get an error message, it may be caused for a variety of reasons. First try deleting your cache and cookies in "Internet options" on the "Tools" menu in your browser. If this doesn't work, uninstall and re-install Centra on your machine.

Try to download Centra from our Technical Check. The Tech check link is available at the top right of your Course page.

If you have a toolbar installed in your browser (for example, Google and Yahoo offer free pop-up blocker software), the "pop-up blocker" function must be turned off for the Virtual Classroom to work. This can generally be done from the "options" menu.