FAQs on GEAR UP Virtual Webinar Participation
How to Seamlessly Participate in a
GEAR UP/Checkpoint Learning Virtual Webinar
Sponsored by the Michigan Tax and Accounting Professionals
Fall, 2020
Listing of 2020 MTAP/GEAR UP Virtual Webinars
Register Now for the Best in Virtual CPE at Low Prices!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How will Group Internet Based sessions work?
In collaboration with our partners at Thomson Reuters, we will minimize any disruption caused. Group Internet Based seminars will be simple to join and participate in by simply clicking on a link in an email. You must use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox to access the sessions.
How will I access the Group Internet Based sessions?
Upon completing your registration for an MTAP-sponsored GEAR UP webinar, you will receive an email confirmation from MTAP providing general information about the webinar.
One week prior to the scheduled date of your GEAR UP session, you will receive an email from GEAR UP/Checkpoint Learning with a secure link and related items to the Group Internet Based webinar.
If you have not received this email by 7 days prior to the event, first check your spam folder to see if it bounced there. Oftentimes an automatically-generated email like this may be interpreted as "suspicious by your email provider and blocked into your spam/junk mailbox.
If after checking your email inbox and spam/junk box and this email is not there, please contact MTAP at staff@michigantap.net or call us at 517-641-7505 so we can help get that information to you.
To login to the session:
- Click or copy/paste the link received to your Google Chrome or Firefox browser window.
You MUST use Google Chrome or Firefox.
- Enter in your name and email address.
- Click the Join the Class button.
- Please note the NewRow session may take more than 60 seconds to load after login.
Do you have any tips for a smooth Group Internet Based session?
- Close any unnecessary tabs or applications.
- You MUST use Google Chrome or Firefox as your browser..
- Set up your computer or device close to your internet router.
- Use a stable internet connection and avoid shared routers or Hotspots.
Can I still ask questions?
YES, there will be a chat window at the side of the Group Internet Based session that you can type your questions in. Depending on how the speaker wishes to run the session, these may be answered as they appear or saved for a question session at the end of a presentation block.
When will I receive my certificate?
The Gear Up team will send your certificate of completion within one week after completion of the program.
If you have provided an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), GEAR UP will upload the credits you have earned into your PTIN account in 2-4 weeks after completion of the program.
How will I receive course materials, like the manual?
You can download and save a PDF of the course manual and PDF of the presentation slide deck from the log-in email you receive 7 days prior to the webinar (see question above on accessing the event). GEAR UP allows each attendee to make one hard copy of the workbook and presentation slide deck if you so choose.
Will the Group Internet Based session work on my computer?
The software used for these technologies has been developed specifically for this purpose and is called NewRow. There is no requirement to download or install any software, it simply runs in a web browser; Chrome or Firefox are required.
To test your system for compatibility with NewRow, please click here.
This test will check:
- Your internet connection.
- Your operating system.
- Your laptop/computer performance.
- Your microphone and webcam.
Results of the NewRow test will probably indicate FAILED for the Webcam Stream Test.
Most desktop and many laptop computers are not webcam and microphone enabled. Webcams and microphones are NOT required to participate in Group Internet Based seminars.
How is my attendance monitored?
To comply with continuing education requirements and verify your attendance, we will conduct quizzes throughout the presentation.
Quizzes are simply intended to make sure you are paying attention.
The correctness of your answers is not taken into consideration when issuing CE credit.
Can multiple members from our firm watch the webinar from a conference room television or monitor?
YES, multiple people may watch from a large screen projection. HOWEVER, each registrant must log into the webinar from an individual, separate device (smart phone, iPad, tablet, laptop computer) that can access a Chrome or Firefox browser. Log in must be done using the log-in information emailed to that individual's provided email address.
Each participant must INDIVIDUALLY answer periodic polling questions from their logged-into device in order to have time properly tracked and recorded and CPE credit can be awarded.
How do I connect to the audio?
When you join the event, the audio feed will automatically connect to your computer. Please make sure your computer speakers are on and turned up.
Will I still have the opportunity to provide feedback on the session?
Yes. You will receive an optional on-line evaluation via email. Please complete this form if you wish to send GEAR UP and MTAP your feedback.
Still have questions? Email MTAP at staff@michigantap.net or call us at 517-641-7505.
517.641.7505 
517.641.4402 
MTAP P.O. Box 398 Bath, MI 48808-0398 