Teleclass FAQ
What is a teleclass?
A teleclass is a live, interactive workshop conducted
over the telephone through a conference call, or bridge
line, where several participants call a regular telephone
number at a specific date and time to participate in a
class with a teacher. It is just like being in a classroom
except you are accessing the classroom with a
telephone rather than sitting in a room together.
Teleclasses offer an ideal learning climate because you
can take them from wherever you are: the comfort of
your own home, office or anywhere that you have
access to a telephone. With a choice of day or evening
sessions, teleclasses are easy and convenient. During a
teleclass, you receive timely tips, tools, strategies and
techniques that will benefit your life and business
immediately so you can begin to experience greater
levels of joy in all areas of your life.
If this if your first time taking a teleclass, you may wonder if and how it works. It does. It is amazing the level of community, safety and intimacy that is created by a group of like minded people participating in a teleclass together.
What is a telephone bridge line?
A bridge line is a telephone conference call system which allows many telephone callers to dial into the same telephone number from any standard telephone. Once you dial into the telephone number and enter the appropriate pass code, you are connected with everyone else on the bridge line like a traditional telephone call.
How do I access the bridge line?
All you have to do is call into a standard U.S. telephone number (1-555-123-4567) from a traditional landline telephone and when the recorded greeting starts enter the pass code. A landline telephone is a traditional telephone that does not use wireless (cellular) or internet technology. The telephone number and pass code will be emailed to you after you register for the class.
Please dial the bridge line number 2-4 minutes before the appointed time, follow the voice prompts, and enter the pass code. You will be connected to the other callers automatically.
Is the bridge line a toll-free number?
No. This is not a toll free number. The toll charges to call in to the bridge line will be the applicable charges for the area from which you are calling.
In order to reduce toll charges, you may elect to use a pre-paid calling card. If you choose to do so, please use cards sold by carriers with high-quality services as the quality of the line each caller connects with will affect the quality of the overall bridge line. Pre-paid calling cards from major carriers like MCI or Sprint can usually be purchased from Costco or Sam’s Club and are very cost effective with rates as low as 3 cents a minute.
What type of telephone do I use?
To honor the classroom and support a high quality and intimate learning environment, we request that all participants call into the bridge line using a traditional landline telephone. Speaker phones, cordless phones, and especially cell phones can bring static on the bridge line, so if possible please do not use them.
If a participant’s telephone line into the call creates a disturbance (echoing, static, etc.) and use of muting does not work, they may be asked to drop off the call and dial back in to the bridge line from another telephone.
This bridge line system is set up so that you can mute your line individually by pressing 6 on your touch pad if your phone does not have a mute button. Pressing 6 again will turn the mute off so that you can share.
If I’m away from this telephone, can I call in from a different number?
Yes. You can call in from any telephone as long as the telephone number from which you are calling allows you to do so (no long distance restrictions, etc). We would ask that you make sure and use the same guidelines for supporting a noise-free learning environment.
If I live in a country other than the United States, can I call in to the teleclass?
Yes. The course is open to participants calling from anywhere in the world! That is one of the greatest advantages in using this technology.
Can I use a cellular phone?
We are requesting that participants not use cellular telephones. The quality and level of intimacy of the classroom is affected by the quality of each participant’s telephone line. Cellular phones often introduce static into the call creating disturbance.
Can I audiotape a teleclass I am on?
No. Audio taping of teleclasses is not permitted.
Class Etiquette and Calling Procedures
These guidelines are provided to both enhance your experience of the teleclass as well as to ensure the call environment is kept clear and sacred for all participants. The quality of the environment and the level of intimacy and connection for everyone on the call are affected by each caller on the bridge line.
To support this environment we recommend the following:
- Please call the bridge two to four minutes before the scheduled time. If you’re late to the call just dial in and be silent until you catch on to what’s being discussed.
- Please create a quiet space from which to participate in the weekly calls. You will get the most out of the program if you sit quietly and really focus on what’s happening on the calls. You may be tempted to move around and do other things during the class, but please allow yourself to be totally present to the group and conversation instead. If you must move around for something, make sure that you have the mute button on so that no distracting noise comes across the phone and into the group space (yes, we can hear everything!).
- Please do your best to minimize background noise and interruptions. Please turn off the ringer on any other phone line in your vicinity and minimize background noise such as computers, radios and televisions, pets, family members, and other household noises. If you are interrupted during the class, use your mute button or the 6 mute feature of the bridge line. Do not place the class on hold if we will hear music when you do so. Pressing 6 again will turn the mute off so that you can share.
- If you have call waiting, please turn it off before calling into the bridge line. With most phone systems, you can do this by dialing *70.
- Please do not use the speaker phones or your cellular telephone. To get the most out of this amazing experience we highly recommend using a traditional landline telephone located in a quite and sacred space.
- If the call is opened up for questions and discussion, please ask to be recognized by the moderator when you wish to speak, and wait to be called on. Before you begin to speak, always address Deena, and say your name. For example, “Deena, this is Sue in Michigan and I have a question.” Deena will acknowledge you by saying something like “Yes, Sue, go ahead.” Then you can speak. Always use the moderator’s name and wait until they respond, indicating that you can proceed. In general, please say your name so that everyone is aware of who is speaking.
- If another caller says something that you want to comment on or ask more information about, please go through the moderator, don’t speak to the person directly. Let the moderator play traffic cop. You could say something like, “Deena, can I ask that Sue say more about the point she just made?”
- Please note that this is a private number which should only be called during your scheduled time and should not be shared with anyone outside the class.
