Resolving Feedback Problems in Elluminate Live!

Audio Feedback in Elluminate Live! is almost always caused by having more than one microphone and/or set of speakers operating at the same time. This usually happens in one of several scenarios:

1. if more than one computer in the same room is logged in to Elluminate (such as in a lab or classroom setting). Elluminate automatically mutes the speakers on the computer with the active microphone, but can’t mute the speakers on the other computers (otherwise no one logged in on a remote computer could hear). Active microphone on one computer + speakers on another = feedback.
2. if a meeting participant is not using external speakers and has activated his/her microphone while audio is coming from the external spekakers

 

Here are some ways to avoid feedback problems:

• If possible, make sure that everyone who’s logged in to Elluminate in the same room is using a headset.

• If you need to use external speakers rather than a headset (e.g. you’re presenting to a face-to-face class or conference, and want people who aren’t logged in to Elluminate to hear the conversation), you MUST mute the microphone and speakers (or turn down the volume all the way) on ALL the other computers. You can do that either using the normal Windows/Mac volume controls, or by using the audio sliders in Elluminate itself (this is the recommended procedure). If you’re using any kind of external speaker system, all presenters should speak into the microphone connected to the computer with the speakers. Any other configuration is likely to cause trouble.

• If everyone is using a headset but you’re still getting feedback or poor audio quality (particularly low volume), Elluminate may be using a different microphone from the one you think it is. For example, many video cameras, including the Apple iSight and the Logitech “ball on a stick” camera, have built-in microphones. In addition, most current Macintosh computers (including CTER’s iMacs and iBooks) have yet another built-in microphone. To change the audio source, first go to Tools, then Audio Setup:

 

 

Next, make sure that the headset mic is selected rather than one of the others:

 

 

Special thanks to  “http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Troubleshooting_Elluminate” for source information used in this post.

e-Learning Guild Research Library

This week, as the e-Learning Guild Annual Gathering comes to a close, it provides a great occasion to revisit some of the especially valuable tools made available to LINGOs member agencies through our relationship with the e-Learning Guild.  As many are already aware, LINGOs member agencies receive one Premium Membership to the Guild  (a $1,800 value.)  While the premium membership provides access to a number of benefits, one in particular has been especially useful to me over the past month. 

The e-Learning Guild Research Library provides a series of 360° Reports which include comprehensive survey results and analysis, case studies, in-depth essays, interviews, a glossary of terms, a complete index and much more. eLearning Guild members receive unlimited access to the Guild Research Library which includes every research report every published by the Guild for the term of your membership … almost 70 reports published since 2002!

In the last month, I accessed the 360° Report on Learning Management Systems to prepare a presentation on the current state of the LMS industry.  Last week, I recommended the 360° Report on Synchronous Learning Systems to a LINGOs member agency that is evaluating a number of alternatives.   Other research reports include:  The Salary and Compensation Report, e-Learning 2.0, Immersive Learning Simulations, Measuring e-Learning Success, e-Learning Development Tools, and more.

Are you an Articulate Guru?

As we continue the process of updating LINGOS member licenses to Articulate Rapid e-Learning Suite v2009, we thought this would be a good time to invite LINGOs member agencies to share their abundant talents with the larger Articulate Community.  This can be done in one of two ways:

1.  The Articulate Team is hosting the Articulate 2009 Guru Awards - an event  where Articulate developers are invited to submit courses developed using v2009. Submissions are reviewed by a panel of reviewers with prizes awarded to the top three entries:

• Grand Prize: $1,500
• 2nd Prize: $500
• 3rd Prize: $250

And…

• Two licenses of Articulate Rapid E-Learning Studio ’09 Pro donated to the school or charity of their choice.
• Fame, prestige and recognition by being featured on our website.

The submission deadline is a tight – February 18.  Recognizing that many of you have just recently received your v2009 upgrade, this might be too tight for you to submit.    However, the Articulate team has been very good about contacting LINGOs personally to invite our members to contribute to the contest.  The Articulate team loves your work and wants to ensre that your stories reach the ears of the larger Articulate community.

2.  The LINGOs Team is presenting at the annual the Articulate Live 2009 conference in March.  This is a great opportunity for LINGOs to show its appreciation to the Articulate team for their supoport and to share our story with the larger Articulate Community.  We would like to demo some of the learning materials that LINGOs member agencies have developed using the Articulate Rapid e-Learning Suite.  Please contact eric@lingos.org if you would be willing to share some materials to be demo’d at that presentation.

Upgrades Available – Articulate Rapid e-Learning Suite

Today LINGOs announces the availability of upgrade licenses to the Articulate Rapid e-Learning Suite 2009.  Articulate has been a close partner of LINGOs for several years and many agencies have already taken advantage of the complementary Articulate Rapid e-Learning Suite licenses made available to LINGOs members.  If you currently have a copy of Articulate’s version 5 Suite that was made available by LINGOs, and would like to upgrade to v2009, contact licenses@lingos.org and request an upgrade.  The LINGOs staff will work with your key agency contact from your organization to provide the license keys required to upgrade your application. 

Packed with new features, Articulate 09 makes it easier than ever to create world class rapid e-learning.  To learn more about v2009, go to the Articulate website at http://www.articulate.com