Adobe Connect is a web conferencing platform that allows for highly interactive synchronous meetings. It provides tools for audio/video conferencing, screen sharing, breakout rooms, recording, and more. When starting an Adobe Connect meeting, users should run the audio setup wizard, connect audio devices, and test their setup. Common interactions during a meeting include screen sharing, text/private chatting, raising hands, and changing participant permissions. Troubleshooting tips include exiting and re-entering the room, updating Flash, and testing audio outside of the meeting.

1. Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect is a web conferencing platform which
provides novices and experts alike with the capability to
conduct highly interactive synchronous meetings.
Faculty Orientation Updated 3/2/15

2. 1 – Make sure the speaker and microphone icons on the top bar
of the screen are both green.
2 – Wait for a support person to call on you, then say “hello.”
3 – If you are OK, put up check mark.
Click the arrow next to the person
with the raised hand, then select Agree.
4 – If you will not be speaking for a while,
click the mic icon to mute it.
Audio Check

3. 1 – When nobody is in the room, the room audio turns off.
When you or a staff person first enter, turn on room audio.
Starting Room Audio
2 – Make sure participants have microphone rights, which should be default.
If not, turn it on in Audio Conference Settings.
Make sure these two items are checked.

4. 1 – When you enter the room, you will need to join the conference.
Normally, select Using Microphone.
Starting Your Audio
3 – If there is no phone in the room, you may just
see a white mic icon on the top bar.
Click it to start your audio.
2 – You may be prompted
with this pop-up.
Always click Allow.

5. 1 – If for some reason your audio gets disconnected, click on
whichever icon you see at the top to reconnect
Starting Your Audio (cont)
2 – You may be prompted with this pop-up.
Normally, select Using Microphone.
OR

6. Run the Audio Setup Wizard
On menu bar on upper left, select Meeting,
then select Audio Setup Wizard
The first thing you should do when you log into an Adobe Connect meeting
is to run the Audio Setup Wizard to ensure your audio is working properly.

7. Audio Setup Wizard
A series of four screens
will show, allowing you to:
1 - check your speakers
2 - select your microphone
3 - test your microphone
4 – set background noise level
Click arrow to right of mic,
then Select Microphone
to quickly change setting

8. Headsets
Easier to use, lower quality
USB (1 flat connector)Analog (1 or 2 plugs - 1/8”)
Higher quality, can “act up”
• Make sure headset and microphone are properly connected
• For analog, ensure compatibility with your PC/Mac
• Make sure microphone is NOT muted (mostly on USB)
• Mac users should generally use built-in mic/speakers
Combined mic
& headphone
Mic & headphone
Each separate
Volume and mute

9. Get Wired!
1 - Use an ethernet cable to connect your computer to a router or modem
Wired connections work better then wireless …
2 – IMPORTANT: Disable wireless on your computer
Typical
Mac
disable
Typical
PC
disable

10. Finding the Meeting
Read this information
to get oriented to
Adobe Connect
Click here to fill out form
for help
Click here to enter room;
there may be several
sections.
Phone and mobile info
also provided.
Recordings are stored here
FACULTY: Click here to
schedule the Web
Conferencing Support
you need for the
semester
Click Web Conferencing on the left course menu to see the Web Conferencing page below.

11. Classroom Overview
B – Share Pod
A – Menu Bar
C –Chat Pod
D – Attendees Pod
used for presentations, app share, etc.
E – Video Pod
F – Connection
Status
NOTE: You can add or remove pods using the Layouts menu above as well as create,
save, and switch between layouts using the toolbar on the right.
G – Layouts

12. Interacting in Class
Disagree
Click the arrow to the right of the hand-raise icon
on the bar on the top of the screen.
Then, select any of the status options
(the four common ones are at the top).
Select Clear Status at the bottom to remove what you selected.
Status
Agree
Your status will then appear to the right of your name in the list of Attendees.
Note that if you select Step Away, your mic is
automatically muted, and you will need to
un-mute it to talk after you return.

13. Text Chat - Public
By default, messages you type are public –
anyone in the room can read them.
Find the Chat Pod.
Type a message in the white bar and the bottom, then
hit Enter or click the speech bubble on the right.

14. Text Chat - Private
Chat Tabs
You can also change the size
and color of your chat text.
You can send a message just to one person.
1 - From the menu in the upper right, select Start Chat With.
2 – Select Hosts, Presenters, or Attendees (plus a specific person)
3 – A new tab will open at the bottom of the chat window. You may
have several tabs at once, switching back and forth between them.
Note the menus may pop-up on the left
side rather than the right side.

15. Calling In for Audio
Below the link to enter class, you will see
- the link for accessing the room via mobile application
- the room phone number (always 617-861-6840)
- the room “Conference ID” (unique for each classroom)
For phone info while in the room, click the i on the upper right,
then click View Info for details.

16. Connecting with your mobile device
You will need the URL for the room
OR enter through Blackboard Learn mobile
Download application (for both iOS and Android) from:
http://www.adobe.com/products/adobeconnect/mobile-meetings.html
Note:
presentations
and video may
use up
your data plan.
Controls for
mic, chat,
hand-raise, etc.
are on the side.

17. Click on student’s name
and a menu appears.
You can promote student
(make presenter or host)
Can also mute or enable video
Also can promote by just
dragging/dropping student to
host or presenter section
Changing Student Permissions

18. When you have presenter or host status, you should see the
following in the middle of the Share pod.
Click Share My Screen, then click Share Document.
Sharing a Presentation
You can share several file types including:
• PPT, PPTX
• PDF
• PNG, JPEG
• MP3, MP4
• FLV, F4V
• SWF

19. A window pops up to import the file.
You may choose an existing file,
OR
Select Browse My Computer
to find a new file.
Sharing a Presentation (cont.)
Then, locate the file and click Open.
The upload should take a minute or so.

20. To navigate through the slides, use the arrow keys on the lower left.
Click the icon to the right of the arrows to show or hide the outline,
which includes slide titles, notes, and a search function.
On the lower right, click Sync to allow you to preview slides without
showing them to others (by default everyone sees the same
slides as the presenter).
On the upper right, click Draw to enable drawing tools,
which will then appear to the left.
You can also enable a green pointer arrow, full screen mode,
several menu options, or Stop Sharing.
Displaying a presentation

21. Next / PrevPresentation Outline
The Outline appears on the right.
Click a slide title to display it.
Title all slides in your PowerPoint
or their title will simply be labelled
“PowerPoint Presentation”
Notes in your PowerPoint
will upload and can be optionally
shared with classmates.
Also you can Search for text
through the document.
You can show the navigation to
everyone in the room if desired.
Actual Slide Content
is here on left side
If navigation is not working, exit the room and re-enter.

22. • PPT/PPTX files can include graphics, text, animations, sounds, notes, etc.
• wipes/transitions between slides do NOT work, however
• Uploading the same file name twice results in duplicate filenames,
which can be very confusing – check Recently Uploaded first.
• Encourage students to upload slides before class if possible (or email to
you. You may want to run slides for students or have them run them.
• Good bandwidth (green bar in far upper right of screen)
will prevent delays and glitches.
• If you are having technical problems, fill out the support form
using the link within your course.
Tips for Slides

23. Whiteboard
Create a variety of shapes, text, etc. using the drawing
tools in the upper left. Customize size and color.
Click Share My Screen, then Share Whiteboard
Create several pages by using arrows in lower left.
Use green pointer in upper right to bring attention to items.
Stop Sharing when done in upper right.

24. Share your screen
Can share
• entire desktop
• just certain applications (e.g. Word),
• just certain windows that are open
Under the Share My Screen menu,
Select Share My Screen

25. Breakout Rooms
Click to switch to breakout view
Create new rooms
Automatically distribute
between rooms
Manually distribute
Click on names and
select destination
OR
Drag and drop to
destination
Start BORs
when people
have been
distributed
End sessions in upper right

26. Recording
- most classes do create recordings
do not record if confidential discussions
- allows students to review material later
1 - Select Meeting menu at top left, select Record Meeting.
2 - Name meeting recording, optionally give summary description.
3 - Red button shows up in upper right, can pause or end recording.
3
2
1

27. Troubleshooting
• Slides not updating, text/buttons not working
• Exit and Re-enter Room - fixes temporary glitches
• Stubborn problem could be Flash or browser issue
Audio Issues
• Verify using latest version of Flash
• http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
• Quit and Restart browser after upgrading
• Have multiple browsers available
• PC: Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome
• Mac: Safari, Firefox, Chrome
• Turn off pop-up blockers and remove plug-in toolbars
• Make sure microphone is properly connected and not accidentally muted
• Make sure correct mic option is selected
• Test sound by playing a YouTube video or similar
• Close out of room and re-enter
Flash/Browsers
Visual Issues

28. Blackboard General Help: http://umb.echelp.org
Support Information
“Read this first” link – good for general review
Blackboard Account Issues
• UMass Service Desk: 617-287-5220 (9 am - 5 pm Eastern)
More at http://adobeconnect.wikispaces.umb.edu/Faculty
Fill out form to get help using this link

29. Web Conferencing Support
Scheduling
- Click the Schedule Web Conferencing Support option from the main page
- allow at least one week’s notice
- notify of special cases (presentations, guest speakers, etc.)
- frequency - minimum twice per semester, up to weekly
- recommend orientation session before first class for new students
Support Staff
- Staff arrives ~15 minutes before class
- Staff stays until class begins, then posts email contact and/or
wiki web link.
- Note there is NO emergency 24/7 phone support offered
For general questions, email umb.connect@umb.edu