Phone Conferencing for two way class audio:

We use Conference Depot for our two-way audio. Use the 800# and room ID listed on our "Watch Class Live" page. For those of you who don't wish to tie up your phone line, or are dialing in internationally, we have successfully used a VoIP service called SKYPE to dial into our toll-free conference number. Click here for detailed instructions regarding the use of SKYPE. There are other untested VoIP systems available as well.

You must be able to mute your phone when you are not speaking or mute your computer audio when you are on the phone.

We can't stress enough how important it is to keep the phone conference system clear and free from distraction. Any computer noise, music, or background conversations can distract the professor and the other students. Please mute your phone until you are ready to speak. If you don't have muting capabilities, Conference Depot has tied this function into our conferencing service. To mute, press *6 on your phone. To unmute, press *7. Note: there are no audible prompts to tell you if you have muted or unmuted your phone. Please keep track of this.

Phone headsets are very useful. It's painful to have that phone handset against your ear for a class duration. Get a phone that accepts a headset with microphone if this is a concern for you.

Students have used speaker phones successfully and unsuccessfully. Speaker phones pick up a lot of ambient noise and tend to be low in audio level, mostly because people tend to sit back from the microphone.

Test your system with us to make sure you're in good shape. When using the teleconference, make sure your environment is quiet and free from distractions.

The conference generally starts 10 minutes before class time. You can call the toll free number anytime during the lecture.

If you have problems connecting please call the control room number for your class, also listed on the "Watch Class Live" page. Also, please send an email to vcchelp@mst.edu describing what happened.

There are so many factors that come into play in producing a class that even the slightest thing can cause havoc. Equipment can have a glitch, a phone could be muted, the Professor doesn't hear you in time, and the list goes on and on.

If you ever feel that you are not getting through, PLEASE call us.
The control room numbers are listed on the "Watch Class Live" page next to each class.

Phone Frequently Asked Questions:

1.Q: I won't be able to stay on the phone the entire time. Does something happen if I hang up? I don't want to mess up the class.

1.A: If you are unable to listen for the entire class and need to hang up your phone connection, you will not interrupt the phone connections for the other students.

2.Q: Is the control room supposed to call me before class starts, or am I supposed to check in with them?

2.A: Off-campus students who want to be a part of class via the phone lines can find that information on our class schedule page of this web site. We broadcast the control room number when we start the live stream. If you are having trouble connecting with the toll-free number, please call the number on the screen (also listed on the class schedule page). If you get disconnected, simply call back using the toll-free number.

3.Q: Can I call in early, so I can verify things are working?

3.A: The toll-free conference is scheduled to begin 10 minutes before class start time. You can call in at that time. If you need additional help, we will do our best to troubleshoot with you as time allows. However, we may need to schedule a more convenient time for both parties to address the problem.

4.Q: What is the procedure for asking questions during class?

4.A: Speak up. If it seems like the professor can't hear you, keep trying. There is a slight delay and it is sometimes difficult to get the professor's attention. We are monitoring the phone lines for the entire class.

5.Q: Some of us are having a hard time responding to questions in class. The time lag is too long. Maybe we could set something up where the teacher is aware he must call on people in my predicament. Or is there some other technique to get my answer in?
5.A: Some Professors have so much to cover in such a short period of time that it is difficult to get questions in. However, all of the Professors include their remote students, consider the delay, and have a lot of interaction during class. There are other options for participating in class that Instructors use. They include our collaborative software, and other instant messaging programs.

6.Q: I could not hear much from the class discussions, finally I switched to the internet and listened from there, the audio was clear.

6.A: Speak up during class if you are having problems. We monitor the phone lines, however if we are not told of a problem, we can't work to fix it. We do everything in our power to eliminate problems when they occur. This system is not flawless, but we work very, very hard at making sure all our students (customers) are happy.

7.Q: It seems that I am never heard by the instructor.

7.A: If it seems like the professor can't hear you, keep trying. There is a slight delay and it is sometimes difficult to get the professor's attention. We are monitoring the phone lines for the entire class. If it is obvious you are not getting through, hang up and call us on the trouble number or send us a chat message in WebEx. We will do our best to troubleshoot with you as time allows and monitor the problem.

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