To communicate with others in this class, you can use a tool developed by Lucio Tinoco (built with Java) which is like IRC or Daedalus ...
On a computer running any Java compatible browser, such as recent versions of Netscape (e.g., on video.cs.vt.edu), access URL http://video.cs.vt.edu:90/~ltinoco/javaappl/ircclient/applet.html
If the instructor or GTA have done likewise, you will be able to communicate using several windows, the top one for your questions or other comments and the bottom window for a log of all questions and responses.
If you have a Mac, your browser probably will not support Java unless you install a this Java compatible browser in advance.
For an initial experiment, the instructor will put a note on the course home page, blinking, whenever he is running VQA, so you can directly join the discussion. You will probably want to start a New Web Browser from the Netscape File menu so that you do not have to stop other work while engaged in a discussion.