Adobe Connect

Fundamentals

Alex Reyes

Dijital Maestro

Copyright
Copyright 2014 by Alex Reyes
Cover design by Alex Reyes
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of

this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/.

Every effort has been

made in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. However, the information contained in
this book is provided without warranty, either expressed or implied. Neither the author, nor any distributors will be held liable for
any damages caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this book.The author has endeavored to provide trademark
information about all the companies and products mentioned in this book by the appropriate use of capitals. However, the author
cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

2014
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L ESSON 1

Create A Meeting Room

Adobe Connect is an online meeting and presentation service
from Adobe. This online service is very useful for providing
online meetings and presentations for school districts.
Instructional Specialists can use Adobe Connect to meet with
groups of teachers from one or more campuses. This is useful
because depending on the size of a school district it could be a
challenge to get a facility for the audience and setup for the
meeting. With this online meeting service, educators can view
a hosted meeting online without leaving their campus.
Through Adobe Connect educators can interact with the
meeting host and other participants through chats. Meetings
can be archived and made available for future reference.

Login using your Adobe Connect username and password.

In this fundamentals lesson we will learn how to use Adobe

Connect to host an online meeting. To follow along you will
need an Adobe Connect account. Adobe provides a free trial
account on its website.

A menu of options will display. These options include a home

page, content, meetings, reports and administration. The
home page, which is shown here, includes a calendar,
meetings and resources tab.

Click on the meetings menu option.

Meeting rooms need to be created to hold meetings. To create

a new meeting room, click the new meeting button.

The first thing we need to provide is a name for the meeting

room.

We can provide a custom URL for our online meeting. This

custom URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is what we will
provide our audience so they can access the online meeting.
Adobe Connect is usually provided as a license to a business,
district or campus. The complete custom URL will usually
begin with a short name for the district or campus. This is
then followed by adobeconnect.com. In this example the URL
could be http://district.adobeconnect.com/. Our custom URL
will be the information we provide at the end of this URL.

When providing a custom URL, its important you dont

include spaces in the name. The name must also be in
lowercase letters. I highly recommend you keep the name
simple and to one or two words. If you want to separate
words, use an underscore to separate the words. In my
example, I separated math and pd with an underscore. I could
also just as easily left off the underscore and had the name
appear as mathpd. The choice of name is yours. Just make
sure the name is short, has no spaces and is in lowercase.

Provide a short description for the meeting. Your attendees

will see this description. It can be useful for those that are
asked to attend. In Adobe Connect you can host multiple
meetings and prepare those meetings ahead of time.
Providing a short description can be very helpful when it
comes time to selecting the meeting room.

When hosting online meetings, you will usually provide

information about the meeting to your participants ahead of
time. You will also be sending them a link to the online
meeting. Since attendees can click on this link at any time,
Adobe Connect will provide some information to those that
click the link before the meeting begins.
The start date and time will help the attendees by providing
some information about the meeting. Provide the date and
start time for this meeting.

Adobe Connect provides a way to create meeting templates. I

wont cover templates in this lesson. Leave the template select
set at the default meeting template.

Select the language in which you will conduct the meeting.

This option not only informs your attendees of the meeting
language, but provides menu options in the chosen language.

In the access section we can choose who can attend the

meeting. The option that is automatically selected is the
option for registered users and guests.

For this example we dont want to register everyone we think

will attend. In a large school district this could be difficult. We
want to leave the meeting open to anyone that has access to
the URL. This URL will be emailed to the participants. If you
want to prevent unauthorized participants who might have
the link, include a passcode for the meeting. You will need to
provide this passcode to the participants before the meeting
begins.

Audio conference settings refer to options for delivering the

audio portion of your presentation. The option is set to not
include audio conference in the meeting. This refers to VOIP
(Voice Over Internet Protocol). The other options provide
other methods for delivering audio in your presentation.
These other options include options for telecom devices like
conference phones.

Click the next button.

In our example we will be using Adobe Connect for streaming

audio through the online meeting. Leave the option set to Do
not include any audio conference with this meeting.

On the next page you will have the option for adding
presenters to the meeting. These presenters will be shown in a
selection box on the left.

On the right side we see the list of hosts or presenters in the

meeting. I am the only presenter, so my name is the only one
displayed here.

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Click the next button.

Adobe Connect will send an email to all those registered

participants with basic information about the online meeting.
Click the Finish button below the email message.

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The final page displays all the basic information for our
meeting room. Part of the information is the URL, which we
will share with everyone we want to attend. The link is a live
link. If you click on it you will be taken to the online meeting
room.
Click on the meeting room link or on the button that reads
Enter Meeting Room.

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L ESSON 2

Meeting Room

The meeting area is very roomy and has four basic sections.
Each section is called a pod. The largest pod is the main area
where you will present content, like a presentation.

When you enter a meeting room for the first time, Adobe
Connect provides some helpful information for using the
meeting room. Click the next button to read through the
information. After youre done click x in the upper right. If
you dont want to see this information in the future, place a
check mark on the option in the lower left.

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The pod in the upper right shows the video from a camera
attached to your computer. This is usually a Webcam.

The attendees pod below the video pod displays a list of the
participants in your online meeting.

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The final pod displays any chats going on in the meeting

room.

When the meeting begins, your computer speakers are

automatically connected to Adobe Connect.

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Click on the triangle next to the speaker icon. A Pull down

menu will display the option to mute your speakers or to
adjust the speaker volume.

When the speakers are muted, the speaker icon appears in

light grey. Click the speaker icon to turn the speakers back on.

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You can adjust the speaker volume on you computer or select

adjust speaker volume in the menu.

Adjust the volume as needed and click the OK button.

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Next to the speaker is the microphone option. The

microphone is currently muted. To turn the microphone on,
click on the microphone icon once.

The microphone icon will turn green to indicate the

microphone is on.

Adobe Connect doesnt automatically turn on the microphone.

You will need to do this when the meeting begins.

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Speak into your computers microphone and you will see the
icon animate to show the microphone is working.
I highly recommend you test the audio settings ahead of the
meeting. I usually have someone help me check the audio by
listening to the meeting on another computer and providing
feedback. If you dont have time before the meeting, have
someone shadow you close by to let you know everything is
going well. Sometimes you might need to check the
microphone position for audio levels.

Click on the pull down menu next to the microphone icon for
additional options. From this pull down menu we can mute,
disconnect or adjust the volume. If we have an external
microphone, we can select that microphone with the last
option.

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The camera button will tap into your computers camera if one
is connected. Most laptop computers come with a Webcam. If
your computer does not have a Webcam you will not have
access to this button until you connect one to the computer.

When you click on the camera icon, the camera is turned on.

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The camera pull down menu has several Webcam options.

You can stop the camera or start sharing. When the camera is
turned on it does not immediately begin to stream video. To
begin sharing video captured by the camera, you will need to
select the start sharing option. Once you begin sharing your
Webcam, participants will be able to see what the camera is
recording.

The final option on the menu is for your participants. They

can use one of these options to send a message.
Adobe Connect is not synchronous. This means people cannot
be talking to you while you are talking to them. This is why
there are icons for participants to send messages.

You can select another camera that is connected to the

computer or enable the Webcam for participants. This means
that participants can use their camera during a meeting. The
last option provides preferences for the Webcam.

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L ESSON 3

Microphone Setup

Click on Meeting in the menu.

One of the things I do before a meeting, is play music near the

microphone. I usually start the meeting 5 minutes ahead of
time. Its a meeting check to give people time to acclimate to
the meeting area. This is a good way for the audience to test
their speakers and volume level. It is also a good way for me to
know if the audio is working.
Most of the time, Adobe Connect does a very good job of
working with your microphone. If you experience problems, a
wizard is available to help test your hardware.
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Click on the Audio Setup Wizard.

The Audio Setup Wizard is very easy to follow. Click on the

Next button.

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The first step is to test your speakers audio. This is important

for the next step. Click the play sound button and adjust your
speakers accordingly. To adjust the speakers, you will need to
use the controls on your computer or any external speakers
connected. Click the next button.

Select the microphone. If you are using your computers built

in microphone it should be displayed here. If you are using an
external microphone, click the pull down menu and select the
microphone. Click the next button.

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Click the record button and speak clearly into the

microphone.

As you speak into the microphone, a volume level meter will

display. If you dont see a recording bar, check your
microphone connections. If the microphone requires
batteries, make sure the batteries are good.

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After recording a few seconds, click the stop button.

The play recording button will become enabled. Click this

button to hear the recording from your microphone. Repeat
the process until the microphone is working and you are
happy with the audio quality. Better microphones provide
better audio quality. Click the next button.

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On the next screen, you are given the option to filter out
background noise. The test silence button records the
background ambient noise and tries its best to filter it out of
your recording. The background noise is usually things like a
fan, cooling system or humming noises.

When the test is complete, click the next button.

Dont speak during this portion and click the test silence
button. The process takes a few seconds.

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In the final step, Adobe Connect will provide some feedback

on the test. Click the finish button.

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L ESSON 4

Sharing

The other share options include share documents and

whiteboard. Select share my screen.

Adobe Connect can be used for face to face meetings, but it is

often used for meetings where someone is presenting
information and getting feedback. The main pod provides
several share options. The option that is automatically
available, is the share my screen option.

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Adobe Connect can determine what is currently running on

your computer. It automatically provides the option to share
your desktop. This means that it will share everything that is
visible on your screen. So, anything you can see, participants
can see.

Adobe Connect can display any applications that are running.

Click on the Applications section. Here we can see that I have
Adobe Connect, Firefox, Snagit and some other applications
running. I can share one of these applications by clicking the
screen icon for that application.

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Click on the Windows section. Windows are similar to

applications because applications run in windows. In this
example Firefox has two windows open. This means I can
choose to show one Firefox window over another.

Which one do you choose? It all depends on what your

meeting is about. In most situations you might be using a
presentation in the meeting. In that case, you will want to
select the presentation application. The application, like
PowerPoint or Keynote, must be running in the background in
order for it to appear as one of the shareable applications. In
this example I will share a PowerPoint presentation.

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PowerPoint will come to the front and Adobe Connect will

give you a preview of what the audience can see. This small
preview box will eventually collapse to show the basic button
bar at the bottom. Present the PowerPoint to the audience as
usual.

When youre done with the presentation and want to stop

sharing, click the share button in the floating menu.

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When the preview displays, click the stop sharing button.

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L ESSON 5

Record Meetings

A record meeting information box will display. Provide a title

for the meeting and a short description. Click the OK button.

One of the benefits of using a tool like Adobe Connect to hold

meetings, is the ability to record a meeting. Adobe Connect
can recored everything that is captured through the camera,
microphone and onscreen. This recording is stored on Adobe
Connects web site and a link can be provided to anyone.
The process to record a meeting is very simple. Click on
Meetings in the menu and select record meeting.

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A recording red button will display in the upper right corner

of Adobe Connect. There are buttons to pause and stop the
recording. The recording is automatically being saved as you
go. There is no save button.

During the recording you will get some feedback on the

quality of the network connection. To access the pause and
stop buttons, click the red recording circle. Click the stop
recording button. You wont receive any prompts.

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You know the recording has stopped because the recording

circle has stopped displaying.

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L ESSON 6

End Meetings

When a meeting ends, you have the option of showing all the
participants a message or even open a web page for them.
Click the OK button.
To end a meeting, click Meeting in the menu and select End
Meeting. Its important to end meetings, otherwise you will
continue to stream content through your network. If you
forget, Adobe Connect will eventually time out and stop
streaming.

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L ESSON 7

Recorded Meetings
Recorded meetings can be shared with anyone from Adobe
Connects site.

Click on the meeting room that has the recording you want to
share.

Login to your Adobe Connect account and click on the

Meetings menu option.

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Click on the Recordings link.

Find the recording you would like to share.

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Recordings are automatically marked as private. We need to

change this setting so others can see the recording. Place a
check mark next to the recording.

Click the access type button.

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Change the access from private to public. Private recordings

are only available to registered users. In our example we want
this meeting to be available to all teachers without having to
register all of them.

If you have concerns about who will see this video, you can
add a passcode. This passcode must be entered each time
before the video can be seen. In our example well leave that
option unchecked.

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Click the save button.

This recording is now accessible by the public.

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Click on the recording link.

A page will display information about the recording. This

information includes the recording duration, date and time. A
direct link to this video is also provided. Copy and paste this
link into an email for your participants or post the link on a
web site for easy access.

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L ESSON 8

Deleting Recordings

Click on the meeting room that has the recording you want to
delete.

Adobe Connect provides storage for documents and

recordings. This storage is limited. Eventually you will need to
delete some material. To delete a recording click on Meetings
in the menu.

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Click on the recordings link.

Place a check mark on the recording and click the delete

button.

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A warning message will display. A deleted recording cannot be

undone. Click the delete button to confirm.

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L ESSON 9

Download Video
Adobe Connect provides space to store recorded meetings but
this space is limited. Eventually you will need to delete
recordings. Before deleting a recording, you might want to
make a backup. With Adobe Connect, you can download a
copy of any recording.

Select a meeting room that has a recording you want to

download.

Click on Meetings in the menu.

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Click on the recordings link.

Click the Actions menu next to the recording and select Make
FLV.

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A message box will display with information for saving the

recording. Click the Proceed with Offline Recording button.

A file save dialogue will display so you can select a destination

to save the video. The file is automatically named after the
meeting recording. The video will be saved in the FLV (Flash
Video) format. This Flash Video format can be uploaded as is
to YouTube, Teacher Tube or School Tube. For any other
purpose you will need to convert the video to one of the
common video formats, i.e., Quicktime or Windows Media.

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The download process is done in realtime. This means that, if

your video is 19 minutes 40 seconds long, it will take that long
to download and save the video to your computer. It takes this
long because Adobe Connect is re-recording your meeting as it
is downloading and saving.
*If you need to convert this video into another format like
Quicktime or Windows Media, check my eBook library for
instructions and recommended software.

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