How Teleclasses Work

Overview
Protocol
Misc questions

Overview
A Teleclass is a class that is conducted via a telephone conference call. No special equipment is needed - just a standard telephone. All callers dial into the same telephone number (usually located in the 415, 407 or 702 area code) at the class time and are automatically connected to each other.

No operator assistance is needed, nor is a conference call manager. All we do is let you know what the telephone number is for your particular Teleclass and when you dial that number, you're automatically and immediately 'on' the call.

You do not need a computer in order to be in the class. All you need is a regular phone!

Note: The cost to call one of our bridges is a standard long distance charge. There are no conferencing fees, so you would just pay your long distance carrier whatever your rates are. Most carriers charge $3-6 an hour for long distance, so the cost is minimal.

The instructor usually hears a beep in their ear when you join the call, and will usually say something like, "Hi, who just joined the call?" or "Welcome, hold on a moment while everyone joins the call."

There are no buttons to push or anything else, after you'd dialed the phone number. Just dial the phone number and you're in! If you have call waiting, we ask that you first disable it before dialing in. For most local phone companies, you disable call waiting by picking up the phone, waiting for the dial tone, dialing *70 (that's star seven zero), waiting for the dial tone again, and then dialing the bridge number. If you don't have touch-tone dialing, tap in 1170 instead of *70. For GTE and some other local phone companies, it's different; so do check out the proper procedures.

After several moments, or minutes, the Instructor will begin the Teleclass. Most Teleclasses are very interactive, meaning that you may speak up, ask questions or discuss key points with the Instructor, or when invited, with other participants. The Instructor is in charge of the call and facilitates it, but also involves as many of the callers as possible, who want to say something.

Most Teleclasses run 55-60 minutes.

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Protocol
There are several protocols to be on a Teleclass. These include:

1. Mute Button
Use your telephone's mute button, if there is one. Background noise, the dog barking, radio, etc., could be a problem if 150 callers all aren't using their mute buttons. If you don't have a mute button, do not worry. Just try to call from a quiet location.

2. Breathing
Some people breathe 'heavier' than others. And most of the heavy breathers don't realize it. (Who, ME?) So, we ask everyone to hold the mouthpiece or telephone headset microphone a bit away from their mouth and nose, unless they are speaking. This sounds pretty silly, but when you're on a call with a heavy breather, you'll understand why it matters!

3. 2-line phones
If you have a two-line phone, please turn the ringer off of the second line. If you don't, and you get a call during the Teleclass, it can really be a shrill noise that everyone hears.

4. Dogs (and cats)
If you're on a smaller Teleclass (like 10-30 callers), your dog will probably woof at exactly the time needed for some comic relief, so it's not usually a problem. But if you're on a larger Teleclasses (30-150 callers), please put Fido in another room

5. Speakerphones
Please don't use them, period, unless you use the mute button. Speakerphones are wonderful things, but we ask that you not speak into them when sharing. The clarity/quality simply isn't good enough. Pick up the handset when you share and put the mute button on when you're just listening.

6. Sharing
The Instructor will usually ask for callers to share or respond, throughout the call. However, please wait to be prompted -- don't just speak up, unless invited. If/when you do share, say something like, "Thomas (or the instructor's name), this is Bob from Tampa." The Instructor will say, "Yes, Bob, go ahead." Then you can say whatever you'd like to. Always use the Instructors name and wait until they respond, indicating that you can proceed. Note, however, that on smaller calls this formality isn't usually needed and there is a natural flow to people sharing and discussing.

7. Commenting
If you want to comment on something that another caller has said, please keep your comments extremely positive. Don't say things like: "I disagree with Bob." or "I take exception to that...." or "That's incorrect." Even if all of these are true! Just say what you want to say and if you want to relate it to another caller's comment, make it positive!

8. CrossTalk
If another caller says something that you want to comment on or ask more information about, go through the Instructor, don't speak to the person directly, at least at first. Let the Instructor play traffic cop. You could say something like, "Thomas, can I ask that Marlene rephrase the point she just made?" Again, on smaller calls, this isn't as necessary, but on the large calls, it really is.

9. Early/Late
Please don't call the bridge before the scheduled time -- another class may be being conducted. It's just a bridge system, not a phone system. If you're late to the call, no problem, just dial in and be silent until you catch on to what's being discussed. The Instructor may or may not officially welcome you -- but probably won't so as not to disturb the flow of the call. That doesn't mean you're not welcome! And, finally, if you're more than 10 minutes late, be really careful about asking questions, as they may well have been asked earlier.

10. Audiotaping
You may not audiotape the Teleclasses. First, it's illegal unless everyone has given permission. Secondly, there is intellectual property involved. If the Instructor is taping a call, s/he will let everyone know at the beginning of the call.

11. Teleclass Content
The content and discussions of the Teleclasses are for your own direct use only and cannot be repackaged or shared or resold without a licensing agreement. Intellectual property rights are vigorously protected.

12. Use of Cell Phones
Please don't use cell phones to call into the bridge line. For some reason, the use of cell phones often creates an unbearable static on the line. Please honor this request for to the integrity of the call, as well as respect of all participants.

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Misc Questions: 

13. I live in a country other than the United States. Can I call in to Teleclasses?
Yes. We have callers from all over the world calling into our teleconference bridges in the United States. And, as the cost of international long distance continues to drop, more individuals around the world will be joining us for Teleclasses. You are most welcome. English is the language of all current Teleclasses, and you are invited to ask questions, no matter how 'good' your English is. You will find our customers to be a very encouraging and delightful group and you will feel at home with them, no matter what your country of residence or origin is.

14. How do I convert Eastern Time zone to my time zone?
Easy! Just go here: http://www.globalmetric.com/time/

15. What if I have additional questions?
Please email teleclass@bizsmart.net with your questions.

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