BlackBoard Question of the Week

Q. I have loaded Powerpoint presentations in Wimba Classroom, then realized I want to make changes; the result is that I have two or  three versions of a presentation in Wimba.  Is there a way to delete the ones I don’t want?

A. Here’s how to remove Powerpoint presentations from Wimba Classroom:

1. Log into Blackboard and click on Wimba Classroom.
2. Click on the room where you have uploaded your Powerpoint slides.
   Before you click on Enter Room, you will see a button for Add and Manage Content toward the top of the window .
3. Click the Add and Manage Content button.
4. Click Add and Manage Room Content.
5. In the Modify Room window, click on the trashcan icon to the right of the presentation you want to remove, then click OK to remove it.

Q. I will need to miss a couple of sessions of my Fall 2011 class. Is there any way I can pre-record and upload a lecture for students to listen to in my absence? 

A. If you are using Powerpoint slides, Articulate will allow you  to record your slides and narration and save your presentation in a compressed format that will be easier for students to access than if you record directly into Powerpoint. Articulate is available in the Digital Media Room in the Granada Center and Loyola faculty can reserve the room and get assistance with recording by emailing blackboard@luc.edu. Instructions for recording can be found at Narrating Powerpoint in Articulate . 

Another option for recording a lecture is Wimba Live Classroom, which gives you the option to record your slides and narration directly into Blackboard. You can find instructions for recording and posting at  Record a Presentation with Wimba Live Classroom .

Q. I am conducting online classes in Wimba Live Classroom and occasionally my students have technical difficulties during a live session. What should they do?

 A. If students need help getting connected to a session they should call Wimba’s 24/7 Technical Support line 866-350-4978. They can get support via email at technicalsupport@wimba.com .

If they do not have a microphone and need to call in to take part in the session, the number to call is (201) 549-7592. If they intend to call in for this purpose, they should have already been given a pin number.

For more information, visit Loyola’s Wimba Technical Support page.