What is synchronous learning?
Maranatha online faculty sometimes use a product called Adobe Connect to run live sessions. Not all courses use this technology, but here are some hints about this.
The teacher might have a time when he or she would ask you to be online. Generally, there are not a lot of these in the course and you usually have the option to pick which ones you want to attend. All of the sessions are recorded so you can watch the ones you might miss.
What you might need to participate:
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Anyone can participate using the chat feature, which allows you to type questions and comments directly to the instructor in real-time.
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If your computer has sound (i.e. you can hear music or watch videos from a news site), you'll be able to hear the instructor talking.
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Optional: If you'd like to speak with the teacher directly, we recommend purchasing a USB headset for the best audio experience. You can get some for $20 at Wal-mart. Although some computers and webcams have mics built into them, they generally do not allow for the best audio experience.
- Optional: You're welcome to use your webcam to participate also. You'll need to let the teacher know you have a webcam and want to use it.
The following cameras and micorphones/headsets have been found to work well with Adobe Connect.
(Most laptops have a camera and/or microphone already built in.)
Cameras:
Headsets: