FAQs

Virtual NYIF Frequently Asked Questions



Q: What is Virtual NYIF?
A: Instructor-led training over the internet right at your desktop!

The Virtual NYIF Classroom allows for state-of-the-art delivery of internet seminars. These are not point-and-click, text based programs. They are LIVE, interactive seminars powered by the Pearson Virtual Meeting platform - one of the most user-friendly and highly rated online meeting platforms available. They are delivered over the Internet so that you're able to attend via the convenience of your computer. This saves you, and your organization, time and money.

Virtual classroom is a form of instructor led training classes using an on-line classroom environment that provides real-time interaction with a certified NYIF instructor. Virtual classes include lectures and demonstrations that utilizes existing NYIF content. The virtual classroom delivery venue will provide the flexibility for students to attend NYIF courses from anywhere as long as the students, and the instructor, have access to a computer with a high-speed broadband connection to access the live training environment.

The real-time, interactive virtual classroom will be used by the teacher to meet with students or with the whole class. This program enables the teacher to talk to the class while they display instructional material, visit web pages, write on a white board and share other programs running on the computer. The virtual classroom with the audio features and web based implementation allow persons with disabilities to access and participate in the interaction with the teacher and/or the class. All in all, the virtual classroom is truly analogous to a physical classroom and creates a very effective teaching & learning environment.
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Q: Do I need a webcam to participate in a virtual class?
A: No. The virtual classroom does not involve live video. The instructor displays class material and talks to the class. Students participate by displaying their material, working on material displayed by others, typing in text chat, using quick feedback responses or by talking to the class. An image of the person talking is displayed (if desired) but it is a static image rather than a live video image.

This is a choice necessitated by the bandwidth limitations of the Internet, the expense or the extra equipment and the complexity of live video. And, most importantly, there is very little information content in a picture of a 'talking head' image. The information content of the class is fully transmitted with the material and the audio.
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Q: Is this just an electronic correspondence course or eLearning?
A: No. Correspondence and our eLearning courses have little or no interaction between a student and the Instructor. They also have little or no interaction between the students. Communication between people is an essential part of Virtual NYIF. And Virtual NYIF maintains a personal touch that is just not part of a correspondence course. Every class has an instructor and students can always 'talk' to an Instructor - and each other - during class. The other difference is that correspondence and eLearning courses are asynchronous - meaning you can take the course at any time. Virtual classes are synchronous - meaning that like a brick and mortar based class you must log in to your course at a prescheduled time and the class presentation is LIVE.
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Q: How are the classes conducted?
A: The virtual class is extremely similar to classes given in a traditional brick and mortar building, except that it is conducted using a web conferencing facility.

The benefits are savings in time, hassle, and money for travel by attendees and instructor. It allows students to attend the class from anywhere, from their office, home or on the road...
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Q: Are virtual classes a good choice for every student?
A: There are several things a student should consider before taking virtual classes:


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Q: How will virtual classroom benefit me?
A: Virtual classroom offers an alternative to the traditional brick and mortar classroom method. You get the same great instructors and course materials with the convenience of your location of choice. Interactive environment means you don't miss out on the human touch. No travel hassles - no jet lag, no delayed flight due to weather, no uncomfortable hotels. Save time and resources from no traveling. Get trained on focused and modular courseware for better understanding and absorption.
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Q: How can I ask questions to the instructor?
A: A virtual class allows students to interrupt the instructor to ask questions via a chat interface and/or VOIP (voice over internet).
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Q: Why are virtual classes priced the same as a classroom session?
A: A virtual class provides added benefits for students to attend the class from anywhere in the world without having to spend time, money, and hassle for traveling. The price includes course materials, course delivery, and usage of web conferencing facility to enable virtual class delivery.
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Q: Can I attend a virtual class from outside U.S.?
A: Yes. All you need is an internet enabled computer and the ability to listen to audio on your computer you can attend a virtual class from anywhere in the world. A lot of our customers use Virtual NYIF because it can be used from the hotel lobby, the airport access point, the internet cafe on that holiday island.

Virtual NYIF does not need an installation. All you need is a browser (like Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox or Macintosh Safari...) with the Flash plug-in and an internet connection to get started. No software installation needed!
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Q: If I encounter technical problems during a virtual class, how do I get them resolved?
A: Contact NYIF Technical support by dialing +1 (212) 641 6663 or send email to support@nyif.com. There will always be a technical support person standing by during classes.
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Q: How much does it cost? What else do I have to pay for?
A: Virtual classes are priced at the same rate as brick and mortar classes. Check the schedule at www.nyif.com/virtual for class prices. The price of the class includes course materials, course delivery, and usage of software applications that enable the delivery. The only thing not included is your computer and internet connection!
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Q: How will I get my course materials?
A: All class materials (except textbooks) will be made available to download from the virtual class platform. If your class includes a textbook it will be mailed to you. For this reason, please be sure to register at least 2 weeks before the start of your class so you can have the textbook on time.
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Q: How do I register to participate in a virtual course? Will I receive a confirmation?
A: To participate in a Virtual NYIF class, you need to visit the section on the NYIF web site that lists all of the current programs available, click on the class you'd like to attend, and then complete and submit the online registration form found on that page. Once your registration is received, you will receive an e-mail confirmation from NYIF.
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Q: What are the technical requirements for Virtual NYIF?
A: Student hardware requirements:

Supported Operating Systems:

Software requirements:


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Q: How much bandwidth do I need to participate?
A: Virtual NYIF sessions can be run on a wide range of bandwidths, depending on the features that are used in the session. Audio-only sessions are supported by connections as low as 56 kbps, and a low-range DSL connection is sufficient to participate in a video conference, for example.

To get an overview of what your bandwidth can handle, please visit our System Check.
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Q: A big blue Q appears on my Mac with OS X, when using Safari, where Virtual NYIF is supposed to be. What's going on?
A: On some systems updating QuickTime will override your default MIME settings and attempt to display flash via QuickTime. This affects all your flash media and only occurs on the Safari browser. You can use another browser such as Firefox or turn this off via your system preferences:

    1) Open System Preferences (in the applications folder)
    2) Click on QuickTime
    3) Click on the Advanced tab
    4) If "Enable Flash" is checked, uncheck it
    5) Click on "MIME Settings", scroll all the way to the bottom and open "Miscellaneous - Miscellaneous file formats". Uncheck "Flash Media".
    6) Quit System Preferences
    7) Quit and restart your Safari browser.
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Q: Does Virtual NYIF include VoIP?
A: Absolutely. It is one of the most important and most celebrated features of Virtual NYIF. It is completely integrated into the application, so you will not require any additional installation or plug-in - just the normal flash browser plug-in.
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Q: I only see a blank screen when entering a session, why?
A: Virtual NYIF is designed to be as easily accessible as possible. Every time you connect to a Virtual NYIF session via your web browser the flash plug-in loads the application from the web server. Just like any other website, sometimes on very rare occasions this initial load or the connection to the communication server can fail.

Try refreshing your browser; this will usually fix the problem. If the problem persists try again a bit later. Otherwise you may have a problem with the installation of your flash player. Please refer to our System Requirements.
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Q: I like to use a drawing tablet with the Virtual NYIF whiteboard, can I do that?
A: Sure you can. The Virtual NYIF whiteboard is particularly useful for teachers, trainers and presenters who like to use drawing tablets. Make sure you install and setup the device before launching Virtual NYIF - if it is set up correctly it will also work with Virtual NYIF.
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Q: I am using a wireless connection and Virtual NYIF is not performing well.
A: Although we do not discourage the use of wireless connections, we generally recommend that you use a wired (LAN cable) connection because it provides more stability. The signal strength of a wireless connection is not always constant, and it is not uncommon for the connection to drop away entirely.

If you are experiencing performance issues and you are using a wireless connection, please try switching to a wired connection.
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Q: Can I use screen sharing with a Mac?
A: As a Mac user you can participate and receive screen data shared by other users without the need to install any additional software. Virtual NYIF screen sharing is now fully compatible with Apple Mac OS X. Mac users can now broadcast their desktops to anybody just like Windows PC users.
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Q: Can I take a virtual course on my own schedule?
A: No, all Virtual NYIF classes are synchronous training - just like a regular classroom course.
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Q: I am using Safari on Mac OS X and all I see is a white screen. I know I have flash installed but I can't see the Virtual NYIF class, what can I do?
A: You or your system administrator has probably disabled plug-ins. Turn them on by following these simple steps:

    1) Choose Preferences from the Safari menu.
    2) Click the Security tab.
    3) Check the Enable plug-ins checkbox.
    4) Close the preferences window.
    5) Refresh the page.

You should now see the Virtual NYIF classroom. If the problem persists, contact your system administrator.
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Q: I get "this script is running slowly" when joining my Virtual NYIF class. What can I do?
A: There are two primary reasons for this error:

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Q: My question is not answered here. What should I do?
A: Please send an email to the Virtual NYIF Administrator
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