Features of Blackboard Collaborate
Every UHI module has a Collaborate room and you will to need to add it to your course menu. There is no need to book in advance just add the link to the module menu. The Collaborate room is permanently available 24/7 in every module. It is up to you as lecturers how you schedule access.
Blackboard Collaborate comprises three distinct areas: a media space, the session menu, and a Collaborate panel.
- The media space is where the content of the session is displayed.
- The session menu opens a collection of high level session actions and information. Open it using the session menu button at the top left of the screen.
- The Collaborate panel is a single space to go to engage other participants with all the collaborate tools, such as ‘file sharing’ and ‘polling’. Open this panel by clicking on the Collaborate Panel icon.
The Collaborate interface
For tutors:
The tutors will see the same basic features at the students but in addition, Collaborate ‘Moderators’ will have extra features.
The session menu
The session menu opens a collection of high level session actions and information. Open it using the Session menu button at the top left of the screen. Tools and features you use only once or twice during a session are conveniently grouped here:
- Find details about the session.
- Record your sessions.
- Connect your phone for audio.
- Get help or report an issue.
- Take tutorials that show you how to use Collaborate.
-
Start recording
Start/stop recording -
Use your phone for audio
Use your phone for audio during a session -
Report an issue
Report an issue with the session -
Blackboard Collaborate Help
Go to Blackboard Collaborate help on help.blackboard.com -
Tell me about Collaborate
Open the new user interface tour -
Leave session
Exit the session -
Close the session menu
The session menu [click icons for descriptions]
The Collaborate panel
The Collaborate panel takes your session experience to the next level. You now have a single space to go to engage other participants with all the great collaborate tools.
- Chat with everyone in the session or privately with other moderators.
- Manage participants.
- Share content, start polling or breakout groups.
- Set your personal and session settings.
 | Text chat with participants. |
 | Participants panel - view network connection and control permissions for participants. |
 | Share content - files, whiteboard and screens - with participants. |
 | Share content - files, whiteboard and screens - with participants. |
 | Close the collaborate panel. |
In the Collaborate Participants Instant messaging side panel, moderators have control over the permission settings so that conversations can be public or anonymous.
For students:
The student interface
This is the student interface with the session menu and the Collaborate panel open. The students do not have access to the moderator tools.
An instant messaging panel at the right hand side of the screen allows the students to reply to questions or comment on anything in the tutorial. It is also handy for taking a rollcall at the start of the session.
The hand raise icon: students press this if they wish to speak. This is so that students are not talking over each other. The use of this icon is one of the items that should be covered in the introduction to the students at the beginning of the session when you discuss ‘Etiquette’.
The video icon: this turns the video off and on. Ideally, in a tutorial situation this icon would be turned on so that you could see your students and the students could see you but this will depend on the size of the class and the bandwidth available. If there are problems with a poor bandwidth and a person’s image is pixelating, then it is better for them to turn off the video and keep to audio only. It is likely that if tutorials are more than 6-10 people, the bandwidth might be affected if they all have the video on.
The sound icon: this can be turned off and on. Remind the students to keep the sound off unless they are speaking.
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If further assistance is required with accessibility matters please contact the student support section in your academic partner UHI: Accessing learner support.
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Audio
Video
Reading
Download
Information
External link
Activity
Question
Asterisk
Discussion
Collaboration
Reflection/journal/log
History
Pause for thought
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