iLecture Instructions for Students

Macquarie University Online Learning @ MQ

http://learn.mq.edu.au/

What is iLecture?

iLectures are digital recordings of lectures which are transmitted over the Internet. iLectures are accessed via a link from your Blackboard CE6 course unit. As well as listening to the recording it is possible to view PowerPoint slides if they are provided by the lecturer.

What software and hardware is required to use the iLecture system?

Two free software plug-ins are required to use iLecture features

• QuickTime
• Adobe Reader

The software works with your browser and may be downloaded free of charge. For more on software and hardware and installing QuickTime and Adobe Reader, go to http://learn.mq.edu.au and select the Technical Information link from the left hand menu.

How do I see the lectures?

iLectures are available via an iLecture link within your online unit. Select the link to display a list of lecture recordings available. As the semester progresses, more pages are added with the latest lectures located at the top.

You can print pdf handouts of the Powerpoint slides before listening to the lecture, if they have been made available for that lecture.

• The Powerpoint icon and drop-down menu will only appear if there are slides available.

Under slides select a pdf format. The slides will be displayed in Adobe Reader and may be printed out using the Print button. The 3pp printable format is useful for taking notes

How do I listen to (stream) a lecture?

To listen to a streamed lecture select the 'Audio 33k' file from the drop-down menu under quicktime.

• If you are using a dial-up connection you will find it more reliable to download the 'Audio MP3 16k' file. See "How do I download a lecture?" below.
• If you have a broadband/high speed connection you may choose either to download the 'Audio MP3 16k' file (or the higher quality 'Audio MP3 32k' file) or to stream the 'Audio 33k' file.

Once the 'Audio 33k' file has been selected the iCaster window will open. Agree to the Copyright warning and the audio should begin streaming.

• If the lecture keeps stopping and starting or stops completely in the middle of the lecture, your connection may be experiencing network traffic or is not fast enough to reliably stream the lecture. In this case either try at another time or download a file as explained below.

How do I view a video of a lecture?

Video files have been made available in some units. To view the video select either the 'Video 56k Stream' file or the higher quality 'Video 256k Stream' file from the drop-down menu under quicktime.

A pop-up window will appear with the Copyright Regulations. Click Continue.

The video will play in the Caster window.

• If the video fails to play, you may have to adjust your player settings.
  • Right click on the quicktime symbol to see the quicktime menu.
  • Select 'Plug-in Settings'. Go to the 'Advanced' tab.
  • Change the 'Transport setup' setting from 'automatic' to 'custom'. In the pop-up window, set the 'protocol' to HTTP and the 'port' to 80. Click Ok
  • Click Ok to apply the plug-in settings.
• Click the play button in the Caster window to restart the video streaming.

How do I download a lecture?

To download a lecture select either the 'Audio MP3 16k' file or the higher quality 'Audio MP3 32k' file from the drop-down menu under quicktime.

A pop-up window will appear with the Copyright Regulations. Click Continue.

To download the file you must right click on the link and choose Save target as or Save link as.

• If you left click the link the file will start streaming, which may result in multiple drop-outs or interruptions on a slow connection

Once the lecture has fully downloaded you can play it from your local computer.

How do I view the PowerPoint slides while I listen to the lecture?

If PowerPoint slides are provided they will be presented in the right hand side of the iCaster when you are listening to the streamed lecture recording. The titles of each slide appear in the right hand window of the iCaster. Click on the slide titles in the upper right window to progress from slide to slide. The slides do not progress automatically so listen for audio clues that the lecturer is moving to a new slide.

How do I control the volume, pause, fast forward or rewind the recording?

Using the audio control panel which appears in the upper left hand window of the iCaster you may adjust the volume and pause and restart the recording.

If you download the mp3 file and open it in Quicktime, you will be able to use the fast forward and rewind functions in Quicktime. You will also be able to use keyboard shortcuts to control playback:

• Space = Play/Pause
• Left arrow = Rewind
• Right arrow = Fast Forward

How do I report problems?

A link is available in the iLecture interface to report problems with iLecture. Fill out all details requested to assist in the resolution of any problems.

How do I get help?

Students should contact Student IT Help with any questions regarding the use of the iLecture system and the hardware and software required:

Phone: (02)9850 HELP (4357) or Freecall: 1800 063 191
Face to Face:Student IT Help Building C5C Room 244
Email: Just Ask Form