Self-paced virtual classes

SPVCs “Self-Paced Virtual Classes” are online web based courses that give you the same experience as if you were in classroom plus offer you the flexibility to take training whenever and wherever you want at your own pace.

• Get the high-quality content “Multimedia presentations based on the same great content used in our classroom courses”,
• A soft copy of student manuals and other course materials.
• Interactive exercises and hands-on lab experience with real IBM software – not simulations – that is accessible 24x7
• Instructors are included “virtually” through recorded lecture and demonstrations, without the cost and hassles of travel.

The typical self-paced virtual class is a 30 to 80 hour, online course that uses web-based reading assignments and delivered through Learner Portal “a platform for the delivery and management of blended learning.”

Before commencing the SPVC training, you may like to try the Test Drive class to ensure your access is OK and your system is prepared correctly. The Test Drive class not only educates you about SPVC's but also prepares your systems for an actual SPVC by installing the necessary software, etc.

Learn more:

• SPVC: Desktop requirements for success (261KB)
• SPVC: FAQs and technical information (1.34MB)

The computer you use to access the course should meet the following requirements:

• Microsoft Windows XP SP3/Vista SP1/Windows 7
• Internet Explorer 6.0 SP2, Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or higher
• 512 kbps or faster Internet connection

Network requirements:

• A direct Internet connection that allows communication on port 443 "HTTPS: http protocol over TLS/SSL" and 1494 “Citrix ICA Protocol”.
• Proxy rules that permit Citrix ICA Client access using ICA/SSL packets (necessary to connect to eLab)

Course Materials
Course materials could be downloaded from the material tab on Learner Portal. The password for the materials is in the getting started module.

Set up and Connectivity Tests

1) In order to be able to launch the course, ensure that your pop-up blocker(s) is disabled and your browser is properly configured with the following:

• Install JVM.
  
  Q: What version of the Java Runtime Environment is needed for self-paced virtual classes?
  A: Applets must be allowed by your servers.
  
  Due to the nature of Applets and the Java 1.4 Virtual Machine, some features provided by our learning environment will not function properly. It is strongly advised at this time that you remove the 1.4 Runtime Environment and install an earlier version. It is recommended that the 1.3.1_06 Runtime supplied by Sun Microsystems be used. This runtime can be downloaded at http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/download.html (link resides outside of ibm.com) for the particular operating system that is needed. Once the Runtime Environment is downloaded it is recommended that the currently installed Runtime Environment be uninstalled before the new Runtime Environment is installed.
  
  Miscellaneous Notes:
  If you are using the Windows XP operating system and/or Internet Explorer 6.X, you may not be able to access any Java content online. To rectify this, you will have to access the Windows Update application on the Web, look under Products, and locate Internet Explorer. From here, download and install the Microsoft Virtual Machine.
• Install the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.
• Ensure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled.

2) You may use the browser check link to verify that your current browser settings are correct for using the Learner Portal. (link resides outside of ibm.com)

3) In order to access your remote lab, ensure that you have Citrix Web Client installed.

Download Citrix Online plug-in – Web

(For your workstation operating system):

Citrix Setup Guide

Username: clp
Password: ibmeduc

How to access your SPVC course:
Log in to Learner Portal using your LP id and password (found in the Getting Started email) and you should be able to find the course under enrolled courses. Select the course and press “Launch” to load the course content.

How to access your remote lab:
Select any exercise page and press start exercise button then your browser would download a small configuration file "ICA file". Citrix ICA Client would use it to establish connection to pre-configured VMware image which includes all the needed software and lab files to do exercises.

Important Information regarding your remote lab session:
The eLab session saves your progress for 7 calendar days and then a new eLab session starts for other 7 days. This is repeated during your enrollment period.
It is strongly recommended you press “suspend” after completing each exercise and access your remote lab regularly before the expiry of the session to save your progress for longer period by adding the time which had passed during the suspension to the time remaining.

Help and support:
Email IBM Learning Services
Support can be reached by calling IBM Training Australia on 1800 801 088 or if in New Zealand, call 0800 426 401.