Viewing a live webcast!
If you are reading this page, you have most likely received an email containing a URL for a webcast (if not, you will most likely be receiving one shortly). Usually a URL is created for each individual course, lecture or meeting. Along with the URL, the email contained a date and time at which the webcast will be broadcasted. On the day of the webcast simply double click on the URL a few minutes before the designated time. Sometimes the URL is too long and simply double clicking on the URL produces a “page not found” error. In this case simply copy and paste the URL in your browser.
Webcasting is done over the internet, the webcast will thefore be displayed via your browser. Depending on the webcast in question you can receive live video, audio and see the powerpoints presented by the speaker. You will also be able to ask questions.
In order to ensure that you will be able to participate in the webcast you need to follow some preliminary steps.
Getting ready for a webcast
There is no need to come to Medtech to get your laptop or PC configured prior to viewing a webcast.
What you must do is follow Steps 1 and 2 listed here: http://www.elluminate.com/support/ from the computer and location that you intend to use during the webcast (you can perform step 3 if you like but it’s not essential). Note that it is essential that you run the test from the computer AND location that you will be using for the webcast.
There is no need to have high speed internet as this technology works with a dial up line. However, on dial up, you will be about two to three minutes behind the actual events occurring in the class. Please take this into consideration when asking questions to the speaker during a webcast.
If you are able to enter the “Configuration Room" specified in “step two” then you should be able to view the webcast.
From where can I view the Webcast?
Viewing the webcast from home
You are able to view the webcast from home. Simply ensure that, if you have one installed on your machine, your firewall is properly configured to permit the webcast traffic (personally I simply turn off my firewall during the webcast because I know that I won’t be surfing during this time).
Viewing the webcast from the Faculty of Medicine
You are able to view webcasts from any office or lab PC, from the PBL classrooms, or when simply connected to the internet via the faculty of medicine’s wireless network.
Note that you must start by connecting to the University's VPN if connecting from the wireless network or from one of the PBL classrooms.
Viewing a webcast from the Civic and General hospital
Your laptop is not configured to browse the internet from TOH or from the Civic hospital. Consequently, you cannot particiapate in a webcast from theses location using your laptop. You will need to find a stationary PC that is part of the hospitals infrastructure. If you want to assist from the hospital find a workstation that you can use on the target date and time and arrange a test session with Medtech prior to ensure that the PC you found will work for receiving a webcast.
Viewing a Webcast from the Student House in Pembroke
We are still waiting for confirmation that this works. We will post the results here when available.
Is there is any other information that you would like to see here? If yes please email me your ideas at medtech@uottawa.ca