What do I need to use the Virtual classroom?

                                               

One of the  virtual classrooms is accessible via the address 
www.mathslearner.co.uk/meeting/wc.

( cut and paste this to your browser)
You can use a demo version where you and a colleague can try this out.

When you have a tutor on this site you will be given a user ID to enter the class.
You may be asked to go to another address to a classroom that is a parallel site. Your routing to which site is appropriately chosen depending on the tutor available for you. and booked by you.
You would also need to get a SKYPE account ( join at www.skype.com). This is free at the time of writing.  This works well when you have a headset and a microphone. It is best to test these out with the SKYPE test call available at SKYPE after you setup your account.

Both Classroom need you to view the session via your browser
( Internet Explorer/ Firefox/ Safari work well when the latest flash player is loaded on your system.  Flash player available at www.abobe.com) .

It is also helpful for you to have a graphics writing tablet available. This will help you draw and sketch diagrams and rough working out with you remote tutor. You tutor will be writing and pointing using a graphics tablet rather than a mouse at their PC.
Example of a writing Tablet: ( First example is from WACOM ; the second example is from TRUST; the third example is from GENIUS.  There are many others that you can find. AMAZON can deliver these to you.

There are ways to use a Web cam. However, the bandwidth is restricted and may not allow  screen refresh, whiteboard drawing, voice and video at the same time without some compromise. The bandwidth could be restrictive at the tutors end or your end of anywhere in between.  Bandwidth of 512 kb/s is pervasive and at many places bandwidths of 1Mb /s  and upwards are readily provided by the operators but is not available everywhere.
This is reviewable as available bandwidths are increased nationally and internationally.