Dear Class of 2.4 Interns,
   
   Welcome to the Webcast Academy - we hope this coming session will  be a useful, enjoyable experience for all. We are still getting the site ready for 'Open House', but here are some  things to know and do for now.

 Our first "Open House" meeting for week#1 will be held on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 1800GMT (global times at http://tinyurl.com/ywgbv8) This will be a good time to ensure several things in order to be prepared for our first real class meeting the following week.

1. Make sure you can listen to the stream and sign in to the chat room. Make sure to choose "webcasting academy" for chat or you will end up in the Edtechtalk chat which is the default. We will also be using Ustream as well which can also be accessed on the live page.

http://webcastacademy.net/live

2. If you haven't been added to the Skype chat for some reason, you'll send a request to the chat and someone will add you but don't panic because this is not the main chat during class.

3. When you join a conversation in Skype realize that the stream through iTunes, Windows Media player and Real Audio is 30 seconds behind our Skype call. Make sure to turn off the audio when you join Skype.

 The main thing is that as long as you are in the chat we can try and help you with the audio or Skype issues, don't panic but speak/type what's happening and there will be plenty of help to get your issues sorted.

Our 'main' meeting for week#2 will be held on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 1800GMT (global times at: http://tinyurl.com/ywgbv8 )
 
Participation in live meetings is not required to complete Academy requirements, but it certainly helps and makes things more fun, this is a community of learners after all.

Information about probable Week#1 topics, resources, and assignments can be found at: http://www.webcastacademy.net/node/961

Although this is for the class of 2.3 look for something similar for the class of 2.4 while also incorporating any new tools which relate to "webcasting" in its broadest sense.

We have already started using the group skype chat, so if you have not included your skype ID in your Academy profile, please do so by logging in and clicking 'My Account/ Edit/ Webcast Intern Info' and enter your ID there - it will not be made public.  Also if you have not already done so, please post a short text introduction in the 2.4 Intro forum at: http://webcastacademy.net/node/1388

If you have any questions, please post them in the forums at: http://www.webcastacademy.net/forum

Again, welcome aboard and we look forward to lots of live, interactive fun and collaboration ahead,
Jeff, Derrall, Pam, and Jose