'Virtual Classroom' is a tool within Brightspace that allows academic staff to hold a webinar instead of a face-to-face session.
If they do this, they will inform you of the date and time in an announcement or email.
To access Virtual Classroom, go to your module, and select Communications from the navbar, and then choose Virtual Classroom.
Please ensure you are using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge browser, Safari will not allow you to access the session.
Next to the session that you need to join, click the arrow in the 'Action' column to launch the meeting.
If the meeting is ready, you will be able to enter by pressing the blue button. If the lecturer is already in the Virtual Classroom, it will show 'Enter'. If they aren't there yet, it will say 'Enter Meeting When Started'. If you're too early, the button will be greyed out.
When you're in, you will be prompted to either join with your microphone, or to just listen. This can be changed later. Depending on how your lecturer wants you to participate, you may not have the option of using your microphone, as there is also a chat option within Virtual Classroom.
You may get a prompt asking you if it's ok for Virtual Classroom to use your microphone. If you're happy with that, choose 'Allow'.
If you have joined with the microphone, it will do a little audio test to check that it's working.
Next, you'll see a screen like this. Once the lecturer has uploaded their presentation, you'll see that in place of the white background.
Clicking the person icon towards the top left will show you a list of who else is attending the session at the moment.
The speech bubble icon will toggle the public chat. The lecturer can disable this function, but it is normally left on. Be mindful that everyone will be able to read what is posted here, and if the session is being recorded, these comments will also be visible afterwards.
If you wish to leave the session, you can do so by clicking the three dots in the top right, and then selecting 'Leave'.