Virtual Classroom

The Virtual Classroom allows the instructor and student to participate in real time lessons and discussions.  Students may also view archives of previous classroom sessions.

After clicking “Virtual Chat”, nothing happens; I just have a blank screen ...

The Virtual Chat feature uses a Java applet, which may take several minutes to load over a slow modem connection. You should also make sure that you are using a recent version of your browser (either Internet Explorer 5 or Netscape 4.78 or above is recommended) and that java is enabled in your browser.

Windows users: If you do not have java, you may download it at http://www.java.com

Macintosh users: Use Internet Explorer 5.0. If you use IE5 and still have trouble, it may be due to a known issue with the Macintosh Java implementation. This is not a problem with Blackboard or the Virtual Classroom, but due to a conflict between the Macintosh OS and Sun’s Java language. To avoid these issues, you may wish to use a Windows PC.

Macintosh users who choose to use Netscape Navigator browsers must also download and install MRJ 2.25 and the Mozilla MRJ Plugin for Netscape. MRJ and the Mozilla Plugin can be downloaded at:

MRJ 2.25: http://www.apple.com/java

Mozilla MRJ Plugin for Netscape: http://www.mozilla.org/oji/MRJPlugin.html

I can’t type a message on chat …

When you want to chat, you must type in what you want to say into the small one-line box at the very bottom of the window, and then press the "Enter" key. Your text will appear in the chat window above, along with the responses of the other participants.

AOL and chat …

Launch AOL, then minimize the window and launch either Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browsers. Make sure you have the latest version of the browser.