1

Reference Guide for the Use of Bridgit® Videoconferencing Application

TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION

FIRST TIME USE OF BRIDGIT

Installing the application

Setting up a video conference session

Sharing connection information with participating students

ADJUSTING THE VIDEO CONFERENCE SETTINGS

Adjusting the sound

Using the video

Sharing your desktop screen with participating students

Other icons for managing your video conference

COMMUNICATION OPTIONS WITH REMOTE STUDENTS

Use of the microphone

« Chat » function

« Raise your hand » function

OTHER FUNCTIONALITIES OF THE BRIDGIT APPLICATION

2

INTRODUCTION

This guide is intended as a training aid for professors who deliver courses by videoconference. This document helps to ensure smooth use of the Bridgit videoconferencing application, jointly with or without the Smartboard interactive whiteboard. It contains information on the essential functions of the videoconferencing application which are necessary to deliver a lecture or session remotely.

For complex troubleshooting questions, the Bridgit comprehensive user’s guide is available. The guide describes all functions and capacities of the Bridgit application in greater detail. You can access the user’s guide at the following Internet address:

http://downloads01.smarttech.com/media/sitecore/en/support/product/smartbridgit/4windows/guides/usersguidebridgit4_7v1may15.pdf

3

First time use of Bridgit Installing the application

1) Access the Bridgit application home screen by connecting to the URL: video.dominicanu.ca

2) Click on Download Software.

4

3) Install the Bridgit application on your computer by clicking Run,

The following window will appear once the installation is complete. You can now select “Join a meeting” or “Create new meeting”. Setting up a video conference session

1) To join an existing meeting (lecture/session):

5

2) To start a new meeting (session/lecture):

You can choose to add a password. This will be shared with participants via email, once you have set up the session.

Your videoconference session is now active.

Sharing connection information with participating students Login information (i.e. the URL for the session) can be e-mailed to participating students who will connect remotely to your session/lecture, It is automatically generated when you created a new meeting. You can include a password at your discretion if you want to manage access to the session. Click the box in the lower left corner of the window,

6

Setting up the videoconference A toolbar is available at the top of your session screen. This gives you access to icons that allow you to adjust the video conference settings.

Adjusting the video conference settings

You can adjust certain settings to optimize your video conference session. The options menu that appears at the top of the screen displays the following useful icons:

1) Sound adjustments (speakers and microphone). 2) Webcam to view your remote students in separate screens. 3) Sharing computer screen or interactive whiteboard. 4) Other menu options to navigate from your computer screen or the Smartboard

interactive whiteboard.

Adjusting the sound The « noise cancelling » microphone option should be selected from the drop-down menu. The « noise cancelling » speakers option should be selected from the drop-down menu. *Make sure that your microphone is turned on. (Open My Mic) *Make sure that the right speakers have been selected, *Make sure that the volume of both microphone and speakers is adjusted to your preference.

7

Using the video If you want to make your computer screen visible to your remote students, select the “Show video window” icon. This will display the classroom and your computer screen onto their personal computers. Additionally, you can see your remote students on your screen, if their webcams have been activated (up to 9 webcams users can be displayed simultaneously on your screen).

Sharing the desktop screen

Notice that your menu bar has been minimized in the upper right-hand corner of your screen when you activate your “Share my desktop “ icon. As long as you continue to share your computer screen with your remote students, the menu will remain in this spot

This next screenshot is an example of how a lecture presentation would appear on your students’ computer screen if you shared your own desktop.

8

Other icons for managing your video conference On the toolbar menu, it is possible to share only specific areas of your desktop, to let students access your desktop remotely, to add/correct/modify a presentation, etc. **Use this option wisely if you do not wish any changes to your presentation.

It is also possible from this menu to de-activate the “Share my desktop” function.

9

Finally, from this menu, you can activate other presentation tools (mouse, pen, highlighter, etc.):

COMMUNICATION OPTIONS WITH YOUR REMOTE STUDENTS

Use of the microphone While you are presenting to your students, your microphone must be active so that your remote students can hear you. You can enable your microphone by clicking on the « Open my mic » icon in the main menu. Make sure that your volume settings are adjusted appropriately by using the sliding bar on the right of the microphone icon.

By default, the students’ microphones are active at the start of a video conference session. In order to manage the communication flow during your lecture, you can control the conversation by requiring students to request the microphone if they wish to speak, You can change the access settings in the main menu, under the meeting settings tab of the options. Click “ Require others to request microphone”.

10

If a student asks permission to speak, a green microphone icon will appear to the left of the student’s name on the main page of the video conference session.

11

“Chat” function From “options” in the main menu, you can allow students to access the « chat » function, if their microphone doesn’t work or they prefer to express themselves in writing, during the session. **This function is activated by default at the start of a video conference.

Also, it is possible to allow your remote students to communicate privately with each other during the session. You can decide to allow this by clicking the checkbox “ Allow others to use private chat” in the meeting settings tab under options in the main menu.

You can also communicate with your remote students using the « chat » function. Access this option by selecting the chat icon in the main menu in the upper right-hand corner of your screen.

12

« Raise your hand” » function

Remote students can indicate when they wish to intervene or speak in a discussion or ask a question by raising their hand. By doing so, from their own computer screen, a message will appear on your screen, to draw your attention to the student’s request. You can close the window by clicking the icon « lower hand » once you have acknowledged the student.

You will also notice a small hand icon next to the student’s name in the « chat » window on your screen.

13

Other functionalities of the Bridgit application To make your session more interactive you can allow your remote students to participate in different ways in the session. You can change the meeting settings under the options of the main menu icon.

● Allow remote students to draw or highlight items in a presentation. ● Allow remote students to share their own computer screen with you and the rest

of the class. ● Allow remote students access to displayed course content on the interactive

whiteboard. ***Use this function with great care if you don’t want to modify your presentation.