 Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
1. How does the Zaytuna Distance Learning system work?
2. Why choose Zaytuna's Distance Learning system?
3. How much does it cost?
4. Why is it so cheap?
5. Why is video more expensive?
6. What are the technical requirements for students?
SYSTEM FORMAT
1. What courses are currently available?
2. How do I register?
3. Can I join the course after it has started?
4. How do I catch up if I register after the course has started?
5. What is the “course portal?”
6. Are the class sessions live broadcasts?
7. How and when do I ask questions from the course?
8. Does Zaytuna’s Distance Learning program provide degrees or certification?
DOWNLOADING/ PLAYING/REVIEWING FILES
1. What format are the files?
2. How big are the lecture files?
3. What will the quality of the lecture files be like?
4. How long do the lecture files take to download?
5. What can I do during the download?
6. Can I download my files from different computers/locations?
7. I am having problems with slow downloads, what could be the problem?
8. How do I play the files on my computer?
9. How are the files “optimized” for iTunes?
10. Do I have to be online to play the files?
11. What devices will they play on?
12. How do I watch the video files on my TV?
13. How do I play the audio on my CD player?
14. The files do not play on my computer/device, what should I do?
15. How do I get the files onto my:
TERMS
1. Can I make copies?
2. Why can’t I share the files with others?
3. Can I watch/listen with others?
4. What about group viewing? For MSAs, Islamic centers, study groups, etc.?
5. Can you copy the content you purchase onto the multiple players or computers that you own?
TROUBLESHOOTING
1. I am having problems registering. What should I do?
2. I am having problems
with slow downloads, what could be the problem?
3. I can’t find my downloaded files. What should I do?
4. The downloaded file won’t play in my player. What should I do?
5. I am still having difficulties with the Zaytuna Distance Learning system.
GENERAL
How does the Zaytuna Distance Learning system work?
The Zaytuna Distance Learning system is centered around “download-based” content-delivery format
that allows students to download course content (weekly lectures & handouts)
to review at their own pace and on the device or player of their choice
(computer, iPod, iPhone CD player, car stereo, Palm device, multimedia-equipped
cell phone, etc.). Once a student
registers for a course they gain access, via their “course portal,” to weekly
class session downloads and other course content. The downloaded session files, available in
audio and video, can be played without an internet connection, transferred to
mobile devices, or burned to a disc for student review. Students also have
access to an online forum for the course which allows them the opportunity to ask
questions of the teacher, discuss the course content with other students, and view
an archive of students’ discussions and comments.
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Why choose Zaytuna's
Distance Learning system?
The primary benefits of this unique system come down to quality, accessibility, and convenience. The content of the courses are high-quality, both due to the highly respected and thoroughly-trained teachers and the uniquely clean and clear audio and video file format. We have endeavored to make the courses as accessible as possible by keeping the prices incredibly low and simplifying the user interface. The download-based system focuses on the ultimate in convenience by giving students the option to review the content on their own time and on the device of their choice.
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How much does it cost?
Registration for each course costs between $30 and $60,
depending on the course duration and type (audio or video).
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Why is it so cheap?
The prices are low because we want to make the program as accessible
as possible to as many people as possible. The infrastructure of the system is designed to keep our costs down, and
consequently user cost down as well.
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Why is video more
expensive?
Video is more expensive because it requires more technical
preparation work and higher bandwidth costs with our server provider.
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What are the technical
requirements for students?
- Windows XP, Windows Vista,
or Mac OS X
- High-speed internet connection (DSL/Cable/LAN) for
downloads
- Sufficient hard drive space for the course files
We also recommend:
- iTunes for file playback and organization
- QuickTime for playing video files
- Firefox for browsing and accessing the site
- Mobile multimedia devices like iPods and smartphones for
taking the files “on the go.”
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SYSTEM FORMAT
What courses are
currently available?
The courses are available on a quarterly basis and you can
view the list of currently
available courses here. You will see tabs for “Current” and “Upcoming,”
each for a specific quarter of course listings. Note the start times for the quarters and courses to decide if you want
to register for a “current” course or an “upcoming” course. The quarterly course calendar is as follows:
* Fall 2007: Sep. 24 - Nov. 25 (Registration opens Sep. 7th)
* Winter 2008: Jan. 7 - Mar. 16 (Registration opens Nov. 27th)
* Spring 2008: Apr. 7 - Jun. 15 (Registration opens Mar. 3rd)
* Summer 2008: Jun. 30 - Sep. 7 (Registration opens May. 26th)
* Fall 2008: Sep. 29 - Dec. 7 (Registration opens Aug. 25th)
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How do I register?
After choosing and clicking on a course from the available course
list,
you may simply click the register button for the format available (audio or
video). You will then be required to
sign-in or create an account if you have not already done so. After that you may pay for the course and
will then be directed to you’re my course page to view your registered courses.
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Can I join the course
after it has started?
Registration before the course begins is recommended but not
required. Registration for each course
is open until two weeks before the course ends. Late registrants will simply
need to review the previous weeks materials to “catch up.”
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How do I catch up if I
register after the course has started?
All of the course downloads from the previous weeks of the
course will be available in your course portal as soon as you register. You may download all of them and review them
at whatever pace facilitates you catching up with the current course week. You
should also review the course forum discussions, particularly those for each of
the sessions that have already taken place.
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What is the “course
portal?”
The course portal is your personal webpage where you access
the exclusive content, downloads, and online forum for your course. It can only be accessed by registered, signed-in
students from their “my courses” page.
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Are the class sessions
live broadcasts?
The class sessions are prerecorded and have been prepared to
maximize quality and student enrichment. Students can access the course lectures at anytime to suit their benefit
and convenience.
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How and when do I ask
questions from the course?
The course’s online forum is a private discussion board, accessible only to the teacher and registered students. You may post questions and items for discussion in the user forum at any time. Teachers, as well as other students, will regularly be logging in to the forum to answer questions and participate in discussions. You may search for and view discuission topics and answers to previous student questions in the forum as well. Private questions to the teacher may be
submitted via email to distancelearning@zaytuna.org.
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Does Zaytuna’s
Distance Learning program provide degrees or certification?
Zaytuna’s Distance Learning program is currently focused on
providing general supplemental Islamic education not a complete, accredited
curriculum. We are not currently
incorporating a formalized testing process and subsequent certification of
completion, but we expect that enthusiastic students will benefit greatly from
the program and find it source of enrichment and accomplishment.
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DOWNLOADING/ PLAYING/REVIEWING
FILES
What format are the
files?
Audio lectures are delivered in “.mp3” format, video
lectures are delivered in “.mp4” (MPEG-4) format, and course handouts are
delivered as PDF files. All formats were
chosen for their high-quality compression options and their compatibility with
a wide range of viewers, players, and devices.
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How big are the lecture
files?
The files vary in size according to two primary factors:
format and duration.Video files will tend
to be between 100 and 200 MB. Audio
files will tend to be between 30 and 60 MB. The average file size for each course is indicated in the listing for
the course. You will also be able to
view the file size of each download in your “Course Portal” before you download
it.
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What will the quality of
the lecture files be like?
Our emphasis on high-quality content is part of what makes
Zaytuna’s Distance Learning unique. All
of Zaytuna’s video and audio content is recorded with top of the line equipment
by experienced staff members and prepared for download utilizing the
top-of-the-line compression technology. Audio quality is clear and pristine, and video quality is clean, smooth,
and high-resolution enough for full screen viewing. We have placed great emphasis on maximizing
video quality while keeping file sizes reasonably low, and believe you will
find our videos better than the vast majority of video available on the
Internet. There are sample files
provided for download on each courses’ page to provide you with an example of
the quality of the course’s content.
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How long do the
lecture files take to download?
Download time will vary widely depending primarily upon the speed
of your internet connection in addition to the file size. Video files, as they are larger may take anywhere from 10 to 45 mins (depending upon your connection speed). We recommend that you
do your downloading on the fastest Internet connection available to you.
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What can I do during the download?
Once you have initiated the download you can move on to other webpages or activities (ie. surf the web, register for other courses, visit the course forum, make a cup of tea, etc.). The download happens in the background and is not affected by any of your activities unless you close the browser, disconnect from the Internet, or shut down your computer. You can view the status or progress of your download in the download manager of your browser which automatically pops up once you start the download.
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Can I download my
files from different computers/locations?
Yes. You can sign in
to your course portal and download your files from any computer with an
Internet connection. We recommend
identifying computers available to you with the fastest Internet connections to
facilitate quicker download times.
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I am having problems
with slow downloads, what could be the problem?
Slow download times are most likely the result of a slow or
unstable Internet connection. You can
test your connection’s download speed at http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ or at http://pcpitstop.com/internet/default.asp. Problems with your Internet download speed are best addressed by your
Internet service provider (ISP).
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How do I play the files on my computer?
Simply double-click on the file on your desktop and it will
play in your default multimedia application. The files are playable on a wide
range of standard multimedia applications. However, we recommend the free application iTunes for playing and organizing your
Distance Learning content. We have
“optimized” and verified the playability of all our files for the simple, solid
“iTunes” interface. For additional
information on how to play the video (.mp4) files, please see this excellent how-to
guide.
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How are the files
“optimized” for iTunes?
All our files have embedded
additional information and “tags” (ID3 tags) including everything from the
lecture title, to supplemental notes, to artwork. While many applications can read at least
some of these tags, this additional content is best viewed with the
well-designed and user-friendly iTunes interface.
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Do I have to be online
to play the files?
No.Once you go online and download the files, they are fully playable
without and Internet connection. You may
transfer them any media format and to any compatible device and they will play
without an Internet connection.
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What devices will they
play on?
The files are playable on all PC and Mac computers, iPods,
Palm and Windows smartphones (ie. Treo), Pocket PCs, Sony PSPs, and many
multimedia-equipped cell phones. Some
devices will require the installation of software like Coreplayer for compatibility. We are committed to maximizing student device
compatibility; if you are having playability problems on your device please
contact us at distancelearning@zaytuna.org and we will help you troubleshoot
the problem.
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How do I watch the
video files on my TV?
There are a number of ways to view the video (.mp4) files on
your TV. iPods can be connected to most
televisions with purchased AV connection accessories. Many DVD players can play .mp4 files. If your DVD player does you would simply need
to burn the files to a disk and play the disc in your player.
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How do I play the
audio on my CD player?
The audio (.mp3) files can be burned as an audio CD by most
music player applications. We recommend
the free application iTunes for burning audio CDs.
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The files do not
play on my computer/device, what should I do?
Make sure you have the latest version of your computer’s
player/multimedia software. Check the software
or device documentation to see if they support the file type used (.mp3 or
.mp4). You may need to install plug-ins
for some players (Window Media Player for example). For video (.mp4) files, try walking through
this excellent guide on how to adjust your system to
play .mp4 files. If you still cannot
play the files on your computer, we recommend the free application iTunes or the VLC player. iTunes is a simple, solid interface that all our files have been
verified to work on. If you need
additional assistance with your player or device please contact distancelearning@zaytuna.org and we will try to assist you.
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How do I get the files
onto my:
- iPod: This can
be managed through a simple sync with the iTunes interface.
- Treo: Files need
to be placed on your external memory card (SD card) via a hotsync or transfer
with a card reader.
- Cell Phone:
Phones will vary, but for those with external memory cards, files need to be
placed on your external memory card via a sync or transfer with a card reader.
- CD player/ Car stereo:
Audio files can be burned to audio CD from applications on your computer. (We recommend using iTunes for burning audio
CDs.)
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TERMS
Can I make copies?
You can make copies to facilitate your personal educational
benefit. However, making copies or inappropriately
sharing the files with others is not allowed.
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Why can’t I share the
files with others?
While there are significant administrative costs to
providing this educational service, we have endeavored to make this program as
convenient and as affordable as possible. When registrants inappropriately
share the Distance Learning copyrighted content to others it undermines our
ability to effectively continue to serve students in this way. We hope you can encourage those interested in
benefiting to register for these very affordable courses.
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Can I watch/listen
with others?
The files are considered to be for your personal educational use only. You may share them with members of your
household, but for others who want to benefit, we hope you can encourage them
to simply register for these very affordable courses.
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What about group viewing? For MSAs, Islamic centers, study groups, etc.?
Later this year we will be launching a unique format for
remote group participation in exclusive Zaytuna courses. This specialized offering is still in
development and currently in its beta
phase. If your group is interested in
becoming a beta tester please contact us at distancelearning@zaytuna.org.
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Can you copy the files you purchase onto the multiple
players or computers that you own?
Yes, we encourage anything that facilitates
your personal educational benefit.
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TROUBLESHOOTING
I am having problems
registering. What should I do?
Make sure your browser’s cookies are enabled and that you are using an
up-to-date version of your Internet browser (Firefox and Internet
Explorer
are the preferred browsers). If you are
still having difficulty please contact us at distancelearning@zaytuna.org, and we will see how we can assist you. If you are having transactional problems make
sure all your personal and credit card information is correct and
up-to-date. If you are still having
problems please contact us at distancelearning@zaytuna.org.
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I am having problems
with slow downloads, what could be the problem?
Slow download times are most likely the result of a slow or
unstable Internet connection. You can
test your connection’s download speed at http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ or at http://pcpitstop.com/internet/default.asp. Problems with your Internet download speed are best addressed by your
Internet service provider (ISP).
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I can’t find my
downloaded files. What should I do?
Most browsers automatically download files to your desktop.
Look there first. If you are unable to
find them you can open your browser’s download manager to locate the file. You can also perform a search of your
computer for the file type “.mp3” or “.mp4.” In your browser “Options/Preferences” you can select where you want your
downloaded files to go.
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The downloaded file
won’t play in my player. What should I
do?
Make sure you have the latest version of your computer’s
player/multimedia software. Check the
software or device documentation to see if they support the file type used
(.mp3 or .mp4). You may need to install
plug-ins for some players (Window Media Player for example). For video (.mp4) files, try walking through
this excellent guide on how to adjust your system to
play .mp4 files. If you still cannot
play the files on your computer, we recommend the free application iTunes or the VLC player. iTunes is a simple, solid interface that all our files have been
verified to work on. If you need additional
assistance with your player or device please contact distancelearning@zaytuna.org and we will try to assist you.
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I am still having
difficulties with the Zaytuna Distance Learning system.
Feel free to contact us at distancelearning@zaytuna.org and we will do our very best to
assist you in benefiting from the Zaytuna Distance Learning system.
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