If your organization uses our LMS Add-On for Virtual Classrooms, you will be using Saba Centra to attend online classes. This document provides students important information to help them successfully launch and attend Virtual Classroom Offerings (VCO) with Saba Centra – an application that enables live, web-based training using your workstation and a headset/microphone.
Saba Centra System Requirements
To attend a virtual classroom course, you must meet the following requirements:
- Workstation with Internet Access
○ A consistent broadband internet connection with minimum 256 kbps of bandwidth
○ 1024 x 768 or higher screen display resolution
○ Internet Explorer (IE) works best for virtual classes in Saba Centra. Chrome will no longer work properly because it has stopped supporting Java plugins.
○ To download the Saba Centra software, you must have "Administrator" rights to make updates to your workstation.
- Headset with microphone connected to your workstation and tested to be in proper working order.
○ Upon launching a VCO, the software client will prompt an Audio wizard to help you test headset, head phones and microphone.
The following instructions will help you get the most out of your training and ensure that you can fully participate in this online session.
One Week Before a Session
- Check that your workstation meets the requirements, including the ability to act as the workstation’s administrator to download the Saba software just before class starts.
- Obtain a headset/microphone and test to make sure it is working.
Fifteen Minutes Before a Session
- Log in to your LMS Portal 15-20 minutes prior to start time. You will not be able to launch the course until 15 minutes before the offering start time.
- On your learning center “Home Page”, expand the Live Courses section. If you are already enrolled in the course, the VCO will be displayed there.
- Click View Offering.
- Click Launch Course. (If you have never attended a Saba Centra event, you will be prompted to download and install the Saba Centra software. It may take a few moments to load.)
- The class will open, and your name will appear as a participant. This means your connection works!
Troubleshooting issues
Saba looks like it is loading, but… a) the Centra screen just disappears OR b) it freezes at 0% while loading.
One of the most common issues with hosting classes in Centra is that attendees do not have administrative rights to their computers, and therefore cannot download the client “foot print” (.exe file). Some companies also have firewall settings that will not allow them to connect to third-party servers.
Contact your local Systems Administrator to do one of the following:
- Login to your workstation at startup as the workstation administrator
- Give your workstation user privileges to save files to the hard drive
Not checking this well in advance of the course could prevent students from taking part.
The headset and microphone aren’t working.
Another common issue is that people have never tested their computer's microphone or speakers before the start of class, causing them issues once they try to participate. Using a headset bypasses these issues and makes it much easier to hear classroom discussions.
- From within Centra, select Tools from the top row menu.
- Run through the Audio Wizard to be sure your headset and microphone volumes are working.
Saba Support
Use the left navigation menu to find Participants, Hosts, and other aspects of the Saba Centra tool. Please see the Saba Help page for more information.