INTERNET: The only equipment required to participate in a Lampstand class is a computer with a high-speed internet connection (1 Mbps or higher stable internet is recommended)and a headset with noise cancellation.
HEADSET: We recommend a noise-canceling USB headset for reliability (USB audio devices are easiest to setup and manage, and most likely to work on any Windows, OSX, or ChromeOS system). Non-USB headsets will work, but are not supported. Earbuds and laptop mics are not suitable for class. Your child's weekly participation grade will be negatively impacted if they do not use a noise-canceling headset.
COMPUTER: Each student must have access to a computer in a quiet setting. Siblings that are in the same class must each have access to a computer; they may not share. When necessary, tablets and mobile devices may be used, but we don't recommend them as the primary equipment for joining our discussion classes each week, and we don't support these devices.
Windows, Mac, Chromebook: For best live class experience, we recommend Windows, Mac and Chromebook:
Windows: Windows 10
Mac: Mac OS X 10.15 Catalina, OS X 10.14 Mojave, OS X 10.13 High Sierra. Older versions may work but are not supported.
Chromebook OS: Any should work, but very low end machines will operate sluggishly (in general, not just with GP7).
BROWSER: We recommend Google Chrome because it is the most stable, secure, full-featured, fully cross-platform (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android) browser, offering users a consistent experience across all their computers and devices. We also support Firefox. Families and students may use other browsers, but we don’t support them.
WEBCAMS: Cameras are not required for our classes unless specified in the course description. However, cameras are occasionally used at the beginning of class if students desire when sharing prayer requests and during interactive discussion periods in our classes.
Test our online classroom with your equipment
Before enrolling, we recommend that you test the GatherPlace (GP7) conferencing software that we use for our live online classes on each computer and each network planned to be used for LLC classes.
Please carefully review the following notes prior to testing your equipment with the GP7 conferencing software:
GP7 requires a working microphone. You will not be able to test GP7 without a working mic, and you may be unable to connect to a meeting without a working mic.
If you have parental controls or content blocker software, it may need to be configured to allow GP7 to operate.
For students, we recommend routinely using the browser version of GP7. LLC support may also ask a student to install the standalone GP7 application (Windows or Mac) for technical or troubleshooting reasons, particularly for browser issues.
It is often helpful to reboot your computer after installing or updating conferencing software. It is sometimes helpful to reboot your router too. If you have trouble, please try this first.
Not all browsers are equally capable of running conference software (of any kind). Regardless of which operating system or device, Chrome or Firefox are strongly recommended and are the only supported browsers (though some others will work).
GP7 also runs in browsers (Chrome recommended) on devices (tablets, phones). However, LLC provides no support for these devices (because the screens are too small for effectively participating in live classes).
Once the browser application is loaded, make sure to allow access to your microphone. Usually, there is a pop-up message asking for this, but some users may have inadvertently suppressed these messages. Also, on the Mac OS you may need to do this once for the browser and once for the OS -- if you miss one, you won't have audio on the Mac.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO SIGN IN WITH YOUR NAME AND ACCESS CODE.
To setup and test the software, click the gear icon on the upper right. It is not necessary to login to or have an access code to testing your equipment. If you get one, ignore the message at the top indicating that you are not connected because a dial-in phone number is not available. That is not necessary to test your headset.
Under "speaker," use the drop-down button to choose your headset, then click the blue "test speaker" button. You should hear an applause sound.
Under "mic," use the drop-down button to choose your headset, then click the blue "test mic" button and speak into the microphone for at least 3 seconds. You should hear a clear recording playback of what you just said.
If those two tests worked well, your equipment will work well in our live online classroom.
If you have questions or problems, please visit live chat support for assistance. You can chat with GatherPlace (GP7) support by signing into StudyPlace, clicking on the help icon on the desktop, and clicking on the blue bubble icon on the bottom right to initiate the chat.
If you are unable to successfully test your equipment, help is available to your via live chat support. Visit our tech help page to start a conversation with live chat support.