Participating in a Blackboard Collaborate Session

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With Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Students and faculty can meet virtually online, yet engage and interact as if they were in a traditional classroom. You will feel like you are in the same room with your classmates and faculty with advanced web conferencing features such as two-way audio, multi-point video, interactive whiteboard, application and desktop sharing, breakout rooms, and session recording. These tools are at your fingertips and easy to use. 

Blackboard Collaborate is also a great tool for hosting club meetings or creating a collaborative workspace for members of your organization. 

To access Collaborate Ultra, select Tools, then select Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.

Select Tools then Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

Tips on Participating in a Session

Preparation

  • Find a comfortable place with no distractions.
  • Before your first session visit Blackboard Collaborate Help - Getting Started.
  • Plug in your webcam and microphone, if they are not built into your computer. For best results, use headphones with a built-in microphone. 
  • Watch the Interface Tour video below, and explore the Tutorials and Quick Guides to the right 

In Session

  • Be sure to join the session 5 – 10 minutes prior to the start.
  • Setup your audio and video when you first join a session. 
  • Call into the session via telephone if your audio is not working well. 
  • Participate in the session by responding to polls and providing feedback to the moderator.
  • Raise your hand by clicking the hand icon when you have a question or a comment.
  • Use Chat to send text messages to other participants and the moderator during the session.
  • Remember that running other applications on your computer can slow your connection to the session.

Participate from a Mobile Device

You can participate in a Blackboard Collaborate Ultra session directly from your mobile device (Apple, Android, or Windows) with the free Blackboard app. Within the app, you are able to fully interact during the session:

  • Join live classes or meetings 
  • Share audio and video
  • Interact via text chat
  • View content shared by the instructor  
  • Use whiteboard tools 
  • Use emoticons, hand raising, polls, breakout rooms

When participating from a mobile device, you will have the best experience over Wi-Fi. Devices running operating systems prior to iOS 8.4 and Android 4.4 can experience rapid battery drain, so it is recommended that you are fully charged or plugged in.

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