1a. Familiarize yourself with the audio/video features of your computer
- Desktop computers need additional equipment for audio, such as headset (headphones and microphone combined in a single device), and a USB-connected webcam for video.
- If you don’t yet have a headset, you can use a phone for audio.
- A webcam is only necessary if you wish to be seen during a virtual meeting.
- Laptop computers have built-in webcams. You may still want to use a phone or headset instead of laptop speakers/mic.
- If you need any equipment, email techpurchases-lib@mit.edu and they will order it for you.
1b. Familiarize yourself with WebEx
- Setup WebEx on your primary computer so you can ensure the audio and video devices/connections manage audio devices and video connections before you need them to ensure they work properly.
- You can practice connecting to your personal room to go through all the steps needed in any type of meeting.
- You can practice alone or with a coworker
- WebEx Basics documentation should enable you to successfully host or join a WebEx meeting. Or check out Renee Hellenbrecht's WebEx Practical Tips & Tricks.
1c. If hosting - familiarize yourself with the physical meeting room
- Different rooms have different equipment – see Library Conference and Meeting Rooms for complete inventory.
- Most Libraries conference rooms have an HDMI connection to the LED monitor, a conference phone, and a USB connected webcam.
- A small subset of the rooms have computers with a keyboard and mouse, in these you can simply open a browser and login to WebEx.
- The DIRC has unique connection requirements. If using, please refer to the LIRS documentation for using WebEx in the DIRC (LIRS maintains the documentation since it is a teaching and learning space, and the WebEx equipment is supported by MIT's AV Services).
- Practice! If you are using an unfamiliar room, find time for a test run to familiarize yourself with the room’s setup before your meeting.