Events: Help

Help with logging on to the Webinar session or with the virtual classroom system used for our Webinars.

Note: As of November 2026 we will use Zoom for webinars.

Note: the archives of past sessions to 2012 were housed in the Wimba system which is no longer available. These archives will be provided as online videos only. Sessions for 2012 to 2025 have both videos for online viewing and virtual classroom archive formats available. Videos from 2026 onwards will only be on the TA youtube channel.

FAQ Contents

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Registering for a webinar

Audience members need a free account on our website in order to register for webinars.

First time users:

  1. Go to Login / Choose the 'create new account' tab.
  2. Complete the account registration form.
    • You only need create the account once, once you have it then it is good for all future webinars.
    • If you use an education domain email ('edu', 'ac') or an email from the authorised domains list, this will give you full access to try e-assessment examples and post content in forums.
    • If you already receive our news email please use the same email address where you receive it, that way we avoid doubling up.
    • Regardless of the email you used to register, all users with accounts can register for webinars.
  3. You will receive a confirmation link in your email account (it may take 15 minutes to arrive - you may need to check your Junkmail folder for the message) - click the confirmation link to set your password.
  4. Follow on below...

Returning users:

  • Login to your account (if you forgot your username or password - request a new password.
  • Note: usernames and passwords are case sensitive.
  • Note: We made a change to prohibit spaces in usernames so if your username has a space in it, get in touch so we can fix it.
  • Register for each webinar session by clicking the 'register now' button on each event page.

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Steps to joining the webinars - an overview

After you have registered for a webinar:

The 'Join' link will have been sent to you after registering for a webinar event (and in subsequent reminder messages). 

Suggestion: Join the live session a couple of minutes prior to the scheduled time.



Note: all times on this website are shown as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC / GMT). For members in the UK remember that in summer you are UTC/GMT+1.

See more below...

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I didn't receive the confirmation email...

A1. Check you typed your email address correctly when you created your Transforming Assessment account - you may update it via your account preferences. Also see A3.

A2. Check your Junk Mail or Spam folder. Also see A3.

A3. It is advisable to set the TransformingAssessment.com domain as a 'safe sender' in your email system/software to avoid messages getting lost or incorrectly filtered/blocked marked as spam. Details below:

A3.1. Gmail. Set up a filter to prevent messages going to the Spam folder. This works for regular Gmail and university email accounts hosted by Gmail.

A3.2. If using office.outlook.com at your institution: While logged in to your email, then go to the top-right corner to Settings (cog) > Mail > Junk Mail > then under 'safe senders and domains' press the button "+ Add safe sender". Then enter "transformingassessment.com" in the field (without the quotes), then press 'save'.

A3.3. Outlook/Office (other). Add to safe senders list. See links for; Outlook 2007, Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013 and 2016, Office 365 and Outlook Web App.

A3.4. Other web email systems/clients.  See this helpful on advice on adding to your 'safe sender lists' (by ConstantContact).

A3.5. Institutionally controlled email systems. If you suspect the email is being blocked by your institution's filters then you may need to send an email to your IT help desk requesting that the transformingassessment.com domain be 'whitelisted' with regard to email traffic. For example "I am trying to sign up for Transforming Assessment webinars at transformingassessment.com and it appears that the confirmation emails are being blocked by the institutional filters. This is a non-commercial education service. Would it be possible to whitelist the transformingassessment.com domain for the purposes of email receipt?".

A4. If all else fails contact Mathew on the Transforming Assessment team.

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What equipment do I need to participate?...

A1. In short: An internet connected computer (broadband), the Zoom software client (reccomended) or a web browser software [1] (i.e. Internet Explorer/Edge, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) and if you plan to speak, a headset (ear phones and microphone - so you can hear and speak!). A webcam is not necessary but is nice to have if you are the presenter.

Note 1: While you do not need to install any other extra software because Zoom can work within your browser, however the performance may not be as good as the Zoom client software.

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Which link do I use to join the Webinar? (or I have logged into your website but I'm lost)...

Wait until you receive the join link via email. it will typicaly be sent the day before the event or the day of the event.

Note: If you have logged onto this transforming assessment web site using the login link located in the top right hand corner or the bottom footer you have in fact logged onto our Website which is separate to the Zoom platform  used for webinar sessions.

A2. If you are looking for an archive version of a webinar please use the links on the past events page.

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Do I need a password?...

A1. Once registered, No. You do not need a password to enter the webinar session itself. Just follow the join link sent in the session confirmation email to enter the Zoom room.

A2. You do need to create a free Transforming Assessment account in order to register for webinars and this does require a password - See Registering for a webinar. If you already have an account but have forgotten your password please use the 'request new password' link. Note: usernames and passwords are case sensitive.

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Audio / video issues - it is not working or audio is too quiet or poor quality...

Note: 99.9% of audio issues are related to participant computers and not the Zoom system itself.

a) For audience members who do not plan to speak, then using your device loudspeakers will be fine.

b) For presenters who will speak at length, please do use a headset if possible.

A1. Turning on and off video and microphone inside the webinar system - There are two buttons, one for mic and one for camera - normaly on the bottom left of the button bar.

A2. Permissions - there are two levels of permissions that may be required to make audio/video work on your device:

a). Give audio/video permissions in your operating system for the browser to access microphone and camera.

i) See the steps for MacOS.

ii) Steps for Windows 10.

iii) Mobile devices - give video and audio permission to the browser on a mobile device.

b). If using a Browser - give audio/video permission in your browser on the Zoom web address. See the vendor help pages for audio/video instructions for these browsers: 

i) Microsoft Edge (Chromium), 

ii) Google Chrome, 

iii) Firefox and 

iv) Safari.

A3. Equipment - headsets: Ensure your headset is plugged into the correct holes prior to launching/entering the virtual classroom. On some older windows computers USB headsets may go unrecognised (but this is becoming less of an issue nowadays). On Apple Macs the audio in/mic jack (two plug) type may not work so try a USB headset! 

The virtual classroom may not recognise your headset if it is not plugged in prior to launching the virtual classroom/entering the room (if you plugged it in after entering the room and are having trouble, try exiting and re-entering the room).

A4. Your device mute / volume settings:

a) Check your audio is not muted on the computer/device sound control. Check the headset hardware mute switch/volume control (if it has one). 

b) Inside the virtual classroom software you can increase the volume a little by going to the settings (Cog icon under the bottom right of the toolbar).

A5. Other - Check operating system / software settings - that mute is not enabled, the correct input/output devices are selected in software (settings/control panel) and the volume setting is adequate. Places to check vary according to operating system but common places are the in the 'settings', 'control panel', 'system preferences' then look for 'audio' or 'sound' or 'sound mixer' or 'volume control', 'playback devices', 'recording devices' etc. 

A6. Audio echo issues - If you plan to speak - please use a headset. Avoid using the computer loud speakers to listen if you plan to speak in the session. Loudspeakers produce feedback/echo into the mic and this disturbs other participants. Avoid built-in mics in laptops and monitors or desktop mics (other than high-end professional ones) becasue these tend to pick up more background atmosphere which leads to very muffled or 'muddy' speech. If you plan on speaking at any length please stick to a headset.

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Presenters only: I can't upload my PowerPoint... 

A1. You will be able to screen share during the Zoom session. No special technology permisison will be required.

We ask that you send your PowerPoint file(s) to us several days prior to the session so we have enough time to test them and advise you of any needed changes. We will add TA branding slides and we will convert this set into PDF and upload it to share on the TA website for the audence to view. 

A2. Please note that animations and fancy transitions will be removed when coneerting to PDF (for later sharing). It is best to plan your slides for 'static, one click to change'.

More help...

More help with using the webinar / virtual classroom is available at the vendor's Knowledge Base site.

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Tips for Presenters...​

  • Presenters/speakers will maintain an open talk/voice channel as long as the mic button is activated. Click the mouse once on the mic button to activate it - do not keep the mouse button held down. When you have finished speaking click the mic button again to deactivate it. This will to stop broadcasting your audio and let others have the mic. Note: It is possible to permit multiple people to have their mic on simultaneously, however this tends to create annoying echos for the audience.
  • When preparing PowerPoint slides please note that animations and fancy transitions will be removed when we convert to PDF for audience share. Embedded links in your powerpoint files will probably not function either (links can be provided via the text chat). Plan your slides to be 'static, one click to change'. Include relevent graphics/diagrams/charts/images to add visual interest.
  • For the sake of accessability for the audience e.g screen reader users, please avoid creating 'slide-as-image'. Be sure that text is editable as text and that the 'reading order' of objects/text boxes are in the desired sequence.
  • When presenting with shared applications / screen share (the audience love demos, so do it if you can!) - remember to slow down your actions because the screen refresh rate is much slower for your audience. Include static screen grabs in your slides as a back up measure in case of demo failure on the day! You can easily skip the backup slides if all goes well.
  • If you are sharing an application/screen, it will be recorded in the archive. Note that only the window of the shared application will appear on the audience member's screens. Non-shared application windows are sent as greyed-out boxes, as is your desktop. Be careful not to cover the shared application with non-shared application window because this will cause it to be partly or fully hidden from the audience (greyed out).
  • Try to keep PowerPoint files under 6MB becasue larger sizes may lead to issues when sending via email or sharing to the audience.

See also - detailed speaker prep notes that outlines the overall process and extra advice.

If you need further help please contact us.