Yackpack is an amazing piece of software designed by a team of programmers at Stanford University. It is fully web-based and takes no special software. YackPack allows students and instructors to communicate by microphone-recordings and written notes. Your instructor will provide you with a login name and password to enter your Pack (class).

For example, this tool will allow you to create numerous audio recordings of yourself speaking in Spanish, practice until it's perfect, then instantly submit the results to your instructor. They will then reply to you in either written or spoken format.

Take a few minutes to watch a great little video on how YackPack works.

Once YackPack is open . . .

• You can click anything in the YackPack interface to explore. You won’t break anything, so have fun.
• You can move the buddy icons by dragging them.
• You can “right click” on buddy icons to see more options.
• You close YackPack by clicking the “X” in the upper right corner.

The following tutorial will assist you install the software and get you up and running.

Step 1: Getting Started in YackPack

• YackPack is a fully web-based product. Your pc needs to be functioning properly for it to work. Make sure you have done the following tests:
  
• Getting started is very simple. Your instructor will send you a Yackpack Username; a Password; and the web address (URL). The web address will be different for each course, so ask your instructor.
  
• Your Username for YackPack will be your skoclass.org EMail address. 
  EXAMPLE:  joebrown@skoclass.org
  
• Simply login and you're on the way ...

Step 2: Are your speakers plugged in and Sound working?

• If you have not already done so, be sure to test your Firewall and Audio/Microphone to make sure your sound and microphone are working properly.

• Make sure your speakers are plugged into the 'speaker out' on your sound card. You should be able to hear music, etc. from any audio source, so make sure you can hear a music cd, for example. The speaker port on the back of a computer is usually green.

• If your speakers are plugged into the correct port, and you don't hear any sound, then look in the bottom right corner of your computer screen for a "Volume Icon". Open it up and make sure nothing is checked as 'muted'. You can also set the volume level here.

Step 3: Retrieving Messages

• After launching YackPack, you can see if new messages are waiting for you. A green bar underneath someone’s image means you have a new message from that person.
  
• 
• To listen to new or old messages, do the following:

1. Click on the Message Bar underneath someone’s photo or smileface..
   This opens an archive (list) of messages sent between you and that person.
2. Click on a message inside the archive.
3. Click on the “play” button (look for the green triangle), and make sure your speaker sound is on..

Step 4: Configuring your Microphone

• How do I connect and setup a Microphone?
• Make sure your microphone is plugged into the 'mic in' port in the back of your computer (on your sound card. Is it usually painted red or will have a picture of a microphone..
• In the bottom right corner of your computer screen go back to your "Volume Icon". Open it up and select 'adjust volume for recordings' and make sure the microphone box is 'checked'.
• Use the built-in 'Recorder' that comes with all Windows operating systems to make sure it is functioning properly. Contact your tech support person or place where you purchased your computer if this feature is not working properly.

Step 5: Sending Audio Messages

• You can send audio or text messages using YackPack.

• To create an audio message, you need a microphone plugged into your computer. See microphones for help.

• To send a simple audio message, do the following:
  
  
  
  
  1. Click on the images of people you want to send a message to.
     
  2. A circle (ring) will appear around each person you select.
  3. Record your message by clicking the “Record” button.
  4. Begin talking, singing, or whatever you want to record.
  5. Hit Stop when you are done, and hit the "Play" button to listen to your message prior to sending, and re-record if you wish.
  6. PLEASE be sure to fill in the Subject line and/or additional text with your audio message, as an Email will be sent to all recipients saying "You've received a Yack".
  7. When you’re done recording, click on the “Send” button (look for the envelope), and you'll see:
     

Step 6: Other Things you can do in YackPack,

• Click the “i” button to enter profile information about yourself for others to see.
• Rearrange the images inside the circle by dragging them around.
• Put music into your message by playing music while you record.
• Send a message to yourself.

Ok, everything should be installed and working properly by this point.  Practice recording and testing your Yackpack, and be prepared to submit a short recording to your instructor.

Activity #1: YackPack Test

1. Login into YackPack
2. Inside the circle, rearrange all your classmates alphabetical so you can find them easily.
3. If you have an image you would like to use (instead of the smile face), follow the instructions to 'upload and image' off your computer.
4. Record a 20 to 30 second message to your teacher that lets them know:

• Your speakers are working,
• Your microphone is working
• You have rearranged your classmates alphabetical, and
• Also share something interesting about yourself.

5. Be sure to enter a subject titled 'Intro to YackPack'.

Assessment: 

1. You will be sending a message to your instructor confirming that you have Yackpack installed and working properly. Keep the message between 15 and 30 seconds, and include some text in the available text box.