Participating in a live event can be easy: Attending webcasts and chats is fairly simple and exciting once you learn to interact with the Live Webcast participants in real time through RealPlayer and the chat room. There are four simple steps to follow:

1. Download, install and test RealPlayer.
2. Click on the link which will take you to the webcast Q&A room or the event
3. Click on the "Watch the Video" button in the left side bar of the webcast room.
4. Use the chat room to ask your questions

Click here for additional Plug-ins needed for multimedia modules and print materials

1. Download, install and test Real Player.

RealPlayer is a free player offered by Real.com. If you do not have the system requirements on your computer for this version, you may want to download an earlier version (also free). We would recommend using as recent a version as you can support. You may have to look a bit to avoid the 14 day free trial and get the bonafide free version.

Enter your information in the Real Player Free registration site. (Hint: Be sure to uncheck the box before "Notify me of important Real software news and offers" if you do not wish to receive unwanted solicitations.) Once you have registered you will go on to a page which asks you to select a location from which to download your player. Pick the location nearest you and download the Installer to your desktop.

After downloading the Installer from Real's Website, double click on the Installer and the application will be installed on your computer. (You may want to place an alias or shortcut on your desktop.)

Test your player:

• Listen to a sample Audio-only program or
• Watch a sample Video program.

Note: Depending on the version of RealPlayer you have downloaded and/or the connection you have to the internet, you may experience a less than expected "video" quality ouput. You may also experience some Net congestion and buffering. These are inherent in the current state of this technology. We look forward, as you do, to continued improvements in this type of media delivery mechanism over the Internet.

Click on the link which will take you to the webcast Q&A room or the event

As the event approaches, each calendar entry will have an link to the webcast page. The webcast room is divided into a chat room at right, a link to the Realplayer stream at left and a text transmission of the live webcast at the bottom of the page:

Click on the "Watch the Video" button in the left side bar of the web cast room. A separate window (like the one below) will open. You may have a distracting "content panel" attached. It is easily removed by going to "view" and unselecting it.

Use the chat room (on the right in the case of webcasts) to ask your questions

HOW TO CHAT

You will need to have a browser that supports Java in order to participate in the chat. Netscape 3.0 and above, or Internet Explorer 3.0 and above, will be sufficient. (Please note that in addition to supporting Java, you must make sure you have Java enabled on your browser.)

Links to actual chat and forum rooms are provided on the live event description page. If you prefer more detailed instructions, please review the information below.

Step-by-step instructions for joining a Web chat.

1. Click on the URL provided for the Web chat.
2. Put your name in the white box provided. We suggest something like Linda/KennedyMiddleSchool" or if this is not acceptable, a first name or suitable nickname will work.
3. Hit "Connect" and you will enter the chat room.
4. Ask your questions or make your comments by typing them in the box at the bottom of the screen.
5. Please note, you will not see your question or comment immediately. As each chat is moderated, a moderator will need to review the question and add it to the chat room.
6. The box at the top of the screen will display the chat questions and answers. Or, during a webcast, your questions may be answered live in the video feed. Your screen will automatically refresh.

We are committed to complying fully with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA). We suggest that students get permission from a parent or teacher before submitting ANY information to a Web site. We also suggest that adults talk with your children or students about personal information and safe use of the Internet.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

If you arrive after the chat has begun, please read all submitted question and answer pairs so that you will not duplicate what has already been asked. We try to avoid submitting the same question twice, even if the originator is different.

Have one representative type a message that lets us know that your group has arrived.

Then you're off and chatting! Please remind your students to be courteous, and when you are finished, the experts love to have you say goodbye and thanks.

WHAT'S NEXT?

When a chat or webcast is over please give us your comments about your experience in the chat room.

Then check the schedule for future chats, forums or webcasts. We hope this becomes an oft-repeated highlight to your classroom experience.

MULTIMEDIA AND PRINT MATERIALS PLUG-INS

Shockwave
by Macromedia

Shockwave plug-in

The Shockwave plug-in is free and is needed to use the
interactive multimedia activities like Astro-Venture.

1. Visit the Shockwave plug-in link to download the
   Shockwave plug-in from Macromedia’s site.
   
   
2. Follow the directions to download and install the
   plug-in.

Macromedia Shockwave Player is the Web standard for
delivering and experiencing quality interactive multimedia,
graphics, and streaming audio on the World Wide Web.

Acrobat Reader
by Adobe

Adobe Acrobat Reader™

The Adobe Acrobat Reader™ Plug-in is free and is needed to download and print
curriculum materials, Career Fact Sheets, and Career Cards.

1. Visit the Adobe Acrobat Reader™ plug-in link to download the free Acrobat Reader plug-in.
   
   
2. Follow the directions to download and install the plug-in.

Adobe Acrobat Reader™ is free, and freely distributable software that lets you view and print Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files on all major computer platforms, as well as fill in and submit PDF forms online.