get ready for pds online training classes (pdf)

PARISH DATA SYSTEM

Teacher Notes: Class Description as Published: Find out what you need to do to take advantage of our new web-based training courses.

Get Ready for PDS Online Classes

Table of Contents

Getting Ready for PDS Online Classes Page i

Table of Contents Get Ready for Web Training

What Is Web Training?........................................................................................................... 1

What Do I Need to Participate?.............................................................................................. 2

Getting Registered.................................................................................................................. 3

Setting Up My Computer ........................................................................................................ 5

Downloading Materials ........................................................................................................... 9

Taking Part in the Sessions.................................................................................................. 10

Completing the Evaluation.................................................................................................... 13

Viewing the Playback ...........................................................................................................15

Note: Reference Material is included which could be useful for addressing questions but is not intended to be covered in the class session.

Teacher Notes:

Getting Ready for PDS Online Classes Page 1

Get Ready for Web Training What Is Web Training?

There are many types of training tools available on the web:

This document will focus on Live training events offered by the PDS training department. With these unique classes, you can expect the following:

You can take these classes from your own workstation, home computer, or other computer to which you have access.

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You will see the Instructor’s computer display on your own screen. •

You will hear the Instructor’s voice as he or she teaches. •

You will hear verbal questions from other participants in the class. •

You will have opportunities to ask verbal questions (you must have a microphone to participate in this fashion.)

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Get Ready for Web Training

Page 2 Getting Ready for PDS Online Classes

What Do I Need to Participate?

Computer

Minimum 800 X 600 resolution monitor •

High color (16 bit) display definition •

Audio sound card •

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Headset or speakers

64 MB RAM or higher

5 MB Disk Space for the Participant application installation •

50 MB Disk Space set aside for Event Materials (This setting is configurable)

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TCP/IP internet access or modem internet access (minimum connection speed of 33.6 kb).

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Software

Windows 98, Me, NT 4 (SP4), 2000 or XP · 233 MHz processor

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later versions. Netscape and other browsers will not work.

Interwise Java Participant application

Browser settings (These settings can be adjusted by selecting Internet Options on the Windows Control Panel. Choose the Advanced tab and scroll down to the specific setting.)

Java enabled and JIT compiler

VM (Virtual Machine) 5.00.3167 or later Internet connection


Not required on machine

PDS Software •

Microphone helpful, but not required •

Getting Registered

ACS Training web site http://www.parishdatainc.com/ and click on the Training tab.

Click Course Schedule to view the list of online courses.

http://www.parishdatainc.com/



Click Class Registration to access the online registration form.

Complete the form. Click Submit and you’re done!


Setting Up My Computer

Once your registration has been received and you have been added to the

Interwise system, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing detailed, step-by-step instructions to follow. These instructions are grouped into the following categories:

Do this immediately – These instructions walk you through logging on to the training portal, checking your system to make sure it meets the

minimum requirements to participate in an online course, downloading the software you’ll need to participate, and making sure everything

works properly.

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Do this the week before the session – These instructions walk you through

downloading the course documentation.

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Do this 10-15 minutes before the session begins – These instructions walk

you through the process of entering the event.

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Running the system check:

Visit the ACS Training Portal page on the Internet. Use this link (or cut and paste this link into your web browser):

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http://acs.interwise.com/acs/portal/pds/

Paste the link into the Address box. Then type the Enter key.

http://acs.interwise.com/acs/portal/pds/



In the Login box, enter your Username and Password and click the “Login” button.

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Login box.

Check Your System by clicking here.

Click on the “Check Your System” icon located on the upper right-hand corner. The system will indicate any problems or suggestions that will improve your performance.

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Click the Next button to test speaker and microphone volume.


stalling the Participant software:

o. Click the “Setup” button to install the

If your browser gives you a security warning, click “Yes” or “Grant.”

• Click on the link labeled “Click here” to return to the “Getting Ready” page.

• Click on the “Enter Demo” button to make sure the Participant Application is

In

• Click “Continue” to move to step twParticipant Application. (This is a free install.)

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running correctly.



Common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

You MUST have a unique e-mail address to get a username and password. Two people cannot log on with the same e-mail address.

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Interwise will not work with Netscape and some other browsers. Use Internet Explorer 5.0 or later.

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Dial-up connections can be very slow. Even if you have a fast modem, your local phone lines may cause your performance to suffer. Consider taking the course at a location where you have access to high-speed Internet.

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Username and passwords are case sensitive and MUST be typed exactly as they appear in your confirmation e-mail. Make sure you don’t add extra characters such as spaces. (John Doe is not the same as JohnDoe.)

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Logging in to a session too early prevents you from entering the session. Periodically click the Refresh button to refresh the screen.

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•

ray.

• Too many files in the Temporary Internet te

s on the Internet Explorer menu bar.

the section titled

t the option to Delete all offline content.

• work firewalls can interfere with

• If all else fails,

Your computer’s system resources may be overtaxed. Close any open applications that you won’t be using during the session. Also close all unessential applications from the system t

Files folder can impair performance. Delethese files: 1. Click ToolSelect Internet Options. 2. On the General tab, in Temporary Internet Files, click the Delete button. 3. SelecClick OK.

Some netyour ability to connect. Check with your ITperson to see if this applies to you.

reboot the computer and start fresh.


Downloading Materials

Log onto the ACS Training Portal page. Click the “My Events” tab.

Click on the name of the seminar.



In the “Class Materials” box, click on the student documentation file. Print the materials for use as you take the class.

Taking Part in the Sessions

Log on to the Training Portal page about 15 minutes before the session begins. Click on the word Enter to enter the event. Click Yes to download the event materials.


Working with the Participant Application



Ways to interact:

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Raise Hand options •

• Send Note

Expanding the screen:


Completing the Evaluation

Log on to the Training Portal. Click the My Events tab. Click the name of the seminar. If the seminar has already occurred, you may need to

change the date in the From field to a previous date.

Locate the evaluation form In the Training Materials box.



Right-click the evaluation form. Select Save Target As. Choose a file name to save the form to your computer. Open the form in Microsoft Word.

Click a Fill-in Field and type in the information.

Click the appropriate check-box to enter your rating.

Save the document. Attach it to an e-mail and send to [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


Viewing the Playback

Log on to the Training Portal page. Click the My Events tab. Reset the From fields in the date range to a date prior to the event. Click Playback to begin downloading the session.

The entire recording must be downloaded before you will be able to view the session. Depending on the speed of your Internet connection, this may take some time.

Once the download is complete, the session will begin playing. Note that the recording begins when the moderator logs on. The beginning of the playback will be the silence before the session began.



Click a content marker to move to different points within the recording.

Once you have downloaded the playback, you will not need to log in to view it again. Instead follow these steps:

Click Start. Point to Programs. Point to Interwise. Select Participant Application.

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Click File. Select Playback Event Recording.

Select the file from the list. (Note: Right-click on the file to rename it to make it easier to locate later.)

get ready for pds online training classes (pdf)

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