To Log into Centra follow these steps



Logging into Centra

Step 1

Go to

The Distance Learning and Video Production Center will have created accounts for students on a Centra server devoted to support of UMass Boston online courses. The login is a student’s first and last name (with first letter in each name capitalized and a space between the first and last name). A student’s password is the student’s last name in all lower case letters.

Example: Login: Kimberly Perez / Password: perez

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Step 2

When logged into Centra successfully, you will placed at your “My Schedule.” Note: The My Schedule page has three tabs, “Upcoming,” “Ongoing,” and “Past.” By default, the “Upcoming” tab will be the active tab when you first log into your Centra account,. Most (though not all) Centra events are listed under the “Ongoing” tab (and therefore are hidden from view). Unless you have been directed otherwise by your instructor or a UMB Centra support staff member, look for the Centra event(s) in which you are enrolled by clicking the “Ongoing” tab.

Step 3

From the list of events on the appropriate tab of the My Schedule page (normally the “Ongoing” tab), find the Centra event created for the course meeting you are attending. Click the blue “Attend” link under the listing for your Centra event. (Faculty leading Centra events should find a “Lead” button where students find the “Attend” button.)

A message will indicate you are “Connecting to Optimal Server,” then the “Main Room” page for your Centra event will open. Depending on your internet connection speed, the wait time for the Main Room page can be up to a minute.

The first time you “Attend” a Centra event hosted on the UMass Online boston Centra site, you will be asked to download Centra client software. Step 3A of these instructions describes the process of downloading and installing the Centra client software. After you download the Centra Client Software you will be prompted to check your speaker and microphone levels with the audio wizard. Step 3B of these instructions describes that process.

Step 3A

Downloading and Installing CentraOne client software

This step is necessary only once, the first time you “Attend” a Centra event hosted on the UMassOnline Centra server. You will be prompted to download a 9MB CentraOne Installer client software.

Click the “Yes” button in the bottom of the Security Warning prompt box to begin the installation process.

You will prompted to begin the install by clicking the “Yes” button in the CentreOne Smart Client dialogue box.

Depending on the speed of your internet connection, the download may take between one and five minutes.

When the download is complete, the software is installed automatically. (No reboot is necessary thereafter.)

You will be placed in the “Main Room” of your Centra event . An Audio Wizard will pop up, prompting you to check the levels of your speakers and microphone. If you are working with a headset, place the headset on your head to work with the Audio Wizard.

Step 3B

Adjusting Speaker and Microphone volumes in the Audio Wizard

After following instructions to adjust Playback Settings and Recording Settings you will be prompted with the Mode Settings dialogue box.

Select either the “Speaker mode” or “Headset mode,” whichever is appropriate to your situation.

We strongly suggest you leave the “Voice activated” box unchecked (the default option). Room noise and even the output from headset speakers can activate a microphone inadvertently, causing disruptions to a Centra session.

Step 4

(Skip Step 4 if you are Attend”ing your first Centra event and have just run the Audio Wizard successfully when prompted through the process.)

From the menu at the top of Centra session Main Room screen, go to the

“Tools” menu and select the option for “Audio Wizard.” Follow the Audio Wizard prompts to run a sound check for your (headset or desktop) speakers and for your microphone. (We strongly suggest you leave the “Voice activated” box unchecked (the default option). Room noise and even the output from headset speakers can activate a microphone inadvertently, causing disruptions to a Centra session.)

You should run the audio wizard each time you Attend a Centra session just to be sure your volumes are optimal.

Once you finish running Audio Wizard, you are ready to participate in the Centra event you have attended.

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UMass Boston online students are supported in using Centra by the staff of the Distance Learning Video Production Center (DLVPC). Further information about Centra is available at: . DLVPC staff members encourage UMB Centra users to log into their Centra accounts well in advance of their first Centra session. Please navigate to and “attend” your Centra event, downloading and installing the required Centra client software, and running the Centra Audio Wizard to adjust speaker and microphone volumes.

Between Centra sessions, be sure to test connection your connections to the Centra event, especially if you will be using a different computer is to be used for the event or if any network configurations have changed since a prior Centra event.

For support with Centra, send email to centra@umb.edu.

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