Spanish Refresher: Orientation

Welcome to the Spanish Refresher Course Orientation!

The goal of the orientation is to prepare you for the technological aspects of the course. We recommend that you complete all the tasks listed below before beginning the course so that we have ample time to help you troubleshoot any problems you encounter. The orientation shouldn't take too long!

Step 1: Equipment

Please make sure you have the right hardware and software. To complete this course, you will need:

a fast and reliable Internet connection
a webcam
a microphone (external or built-in)
an updated browser (with the latest version of Flash). For the course, we recommend you use an updated version of Firefox, especially to access the VoiceThread activities.

Step 2: Bookmark the Facebook Page

Here is the Facebook page. You may use it to communicate with other people who are taking the course at the same time as you.

Step 3: Test your YouTube Sound/Webcam

We recommend using the YouTube webcam to record your oral assignments and send them to your teacher or tutor for feedback, or to assess your own performance. Alternatively, you can post the YouTube videos to the Facebook page and crowdsource other language learners for feedback.

1. Log into YouTube (use your Gmail address to login if you've never used YouTube to record yourself).

2. Click the Upload button (top):

Click Record:

Click Allow:

Click Start recording and Stop recording when you're done.

Click Upload to upload your video:

Under Privacy settings, you have 3 choice:

Choose the settings you're the most comfortable with:

Public: Anybody can view the video.
Unlisted: Only the person who has the link may view your video.
Private: Only YOU can see the video. You may download the video from YouTube and email it to somebody (under Video Manager, select Edit > Download MP4).

Make sure to save your changes:

Step 4: Test the Conversation Dropbox

Preview of Conversation Tool

Test the Conversation Dropbox. This tool allows you to record your answers to pre-recorded questions in real time. Type your name to ope the Dropbox, then click real time to record your answer. In future activities, can practice as many times as you'd like. Don't forget to click submit when you're done!

Step 5: Set up your VoiceThread account

Sign up for a free VoiceThread account.
Once you have logged in to VoiceThread, refresh this webpage and record a video/webcam comment on the VoiceThread below by clicking then