Below are a variety of backgrounds that can be used as Virtual Backgrounds when sharing your video in Collaborate. To set up Virtual Background watch this video.
Backgrounds are organised by theme, use the buttons to jump to different themes.
Captions are a text version of the spoken part of audio or video content, such as videos.
Automated captions are when speech recognition is used to attempt to create captions automatically without extra input from a person.
The accuracy of automated captions can vary depending on:
Different services use different speech recognition tools and the quality and consistency of captions will inevitably vary between systems.
Below are guides on how to enable captions for and whether they are automated or not:
| What type of caption? | Automated |
| Can captions be edited? | Yes |
| Who needs to do what? | The owner of the video (usually the instructor) has to turn on automated captions for a video before students can view them. |
Automated Captions for recorded Sessions or Lectures created using Panopto are available only after an instructor has changed a setting.
Editing captions is also possible, instructors may edit automated captions by following this guide.
| What type of caption? | Automated |
| Can captions be edited? | No |
| Who needs to do what? | As automated captions have to be enabled on each computer this is for the viewer to do for themselves, not the instructor. |
While Blackboard Collaborate does not have a built in automated captioning feature, you can configure Chrome to enable automated captions. Be aware that during a live session captions are not shown when you speak, only when others speak.
Since Chrome now offers automated captions and shows four other user videos, while Firefox shows two and does not offer automated captions, Chrome is recommended as the default browser for use with Collaborate.
Because automated captions are created in realtime, they cannot be corrected or adjusted.
Watch the video to find out how to set up captions with Collaborate.
| What type of caption? | Automated |
| Can captions be edited? | Only once the recording is viewed in MS Stream |
| Who needs to do what? | Each viewer can turn on live captions. |
During a teams meeting you may enable automated captions by selecting the ellipsis button (three dots) and choosing Turn on live captions.
| What type of caption? | Captions are available where the original broadcaster provided them. Where not available automated captions in Chrome can be used. |
| Can captions be edited? | No |
| Who needs to do what? | Each viewer can turn on subtitles, or use automated captions when using Chrome. |
Not all programmes on Bob National have subtitles available, but when they do they may be enabled by selecting the S icon. When subtitles are not available you could still use Google Chrome’s automated captions feature.
| What type of caption? | Automated |
| Can captions be edited? | Yes |
| Who needs to do what? | Each viewer can turn on automated captions. |
Recordings of teams meetings and other videos can be found on Microsoft Stream. To enable automated captions on a video you play through Steam use the CC button that appears during playback.
When viewing a video on Stream a searchable transcript is also available. When you select a line from the transcript the video will play from that point.
Owners of videos may edit the captions or transcript.
| What type of caption? | Automated by default, creators can make their own captions. |
| Can captions be edited? | Yes |
| Who needs to do what? | Each viewer may turn on automated captions if they wish. |
This support guide from Google explains how to use captions in YouTube.
| What type of caption? | Automated. |
| Can captions be edited? | No |
| Who needs to do what? | The presenter should turn on captions before starting their presentation. |
PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 can transcribe your words as you present and display them on-screen as automated captions in the same language you are speaking, or as subtitles translated to another language. This can be useful during a live session that is not recorded.
If you are viewing other videos using your web browser and they do not have captions, the automated captioning feature in Chrome may help. A good example of this is Vimeo videos that do not already have captions.
Subtitle: captions displayed at the bottom of a cinema or television screen that translate or transcribe the dialogue or narrative.
Caption: another name for subtitle.
Closed captions: transcription or translation of the dialogue, sound effects, relevant musical cues, and other relevant audio information when sound is unavailable or not clearly audible. For example a closed caption may feature wording such as “Dogs barking” or “tap dripping”.
SDH: Subtitles for Deaf or Hearing impaired, another name for Closed captions.
These ‘Lesson Recipes’ aims to help you facilitate learning activities with your students. They are based on staff experiences and pedagogic good practice.
Each lesson recipe provides you with…
The lesson recipes have been grouped according to how fluent students need to be with Collaborate and/or with other technologies such as working collaboratively with a shared PowerPoint.
[in development] How to run a ‘Collaborate features’ diagnostic
How to include an external speaker/presenter in a session
How to lead a Think-Pair-Share session using break out rooms
[in development] How to run catalytic/Mazur style discussions by integrating polls
How to organise an activity where different groups have different tasks/texts
How to use customisable backgrounds for simulations/role play activities
We will add more lesson recipes over time. You can upvote the ideas that have been put forward.
This initiative is part of the University’s EASD 20/21 project.
| Want to test Collaborate? You can use this test room. |
We have received a small number of reports of issues experienced by staff and students when they use Collaborate such as
Whatever the issue facing you, please review these steps that should resolve most issues. As you try these steps make sure to leave the Collaborate session, close the browser, re-open the browser and then re-join the session via Blackboard, just making the change may have no effect until the browser has been restarted and the session re-joined.
Blackboard Collaborate works best with Google Chrome. You can also use Mozilla Firefox. A full list of supported browsers and operating systems is available here: https://help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Moderator/Get_Started/Browser_Support
While other browsers may be supported, we recommend you should use Chrome in the first instance and then Firefox.
How to update Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95414
How to update Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/update-firefox-latest-release
For reference the latest version of Chrome at the time of writing this article was 81 and the latest version of Firefox was 75.
If you are using Chrome or Firefox but still experience issues, the simplest tip is to try the other browser, so if you experience problems with Collaborate whilst using Chrome, try Firefox. If you experience problems with Firefox, try Chrome.
Ensure that your web browser is allowing third-party cookies, these guides explain how:
Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
The next step is to try using the session in an private or incognito window. This resets certain settings and can be an effective way to work around some configuration issues.
How to open an incognito window in Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95464
How to open a private browsing window in Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/private-browsing-use-firefox-without-history
If that does not help the next step is to try clearing your browser cache. This guide explains how: http://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser’s-Cache
Collaborate uses a technology called WebRTC. The WebRTC Troubleshooter website tests that this is working for you and can pick up issues and help you to fix them.
If you are experiencing difficulties and are on a wireless connection please make sure you are as close to your router as possible. If that does not help please try a wired ethernet connection.
This publicly available knowledge base article discusses the most common issues when connecting from a domestic connection.
The latest versions of OS X have extra security settings you need to make for devices to use the camera and microphone. If you use a Mac / OS X please read through this guide on how to set the correct permissions.
Some corporate and institutional networks may block the HTML5 Web Socket traffic upon which Collaborate relies. Try on a domestic connection to see if you get the same issues. If you do not, it could be an issue with the network in the institution or business you are connecting from. Ask the network administrator to review the relevant information here.
High CPU usage (aka your computer is working hard) can cause audio issues as well. Be sure only necessary programs are running on the computer before starting the session. If you don’t need email, Spotify, Word, etc… open for the session, then close it!
Ensure that no other programs are using the speaker, microphone, or web cam, e.g. Skype, Teams, music player, video player etc. To be sure, close those types of programs.
It is vital that you all Collaborate to use your microphone and camera. You are likely to ask to approve permissions that look like this:
We can be so used to clicking “no” that we may accidentally prevent Collaborate from having permission to use our microphone and web cam. If you find that people cannot hear you or see you, check that you have given permission for Collaborate to use your camera and microphone.
Review the guide at https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/114662
Having reached the Site Settings page, choose “View permissions and data stored across sites” and search for bbcollab. Open all that appear one after the other and choose to allow Camera and Microphone.
The process is fairly similar in Firefox, see: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-page-info-window
Blackboard Collaborate allows you to alter the microphone input and webcam settings, but not the audio output. Blackboard Collaborate will use the system default audio output / playback device, so ensure this is set correctly before opening Blackboard Collaborate. This is particularly important if you have multiple devices connected to your computer, such as speakers, headsets and external monitors.
Windows 10 allows users to set audio preferences for individual apps. Some apps listen, others don’t. Because Collaborate runs entirely in your browser, you have to check settings for your browser.
1. Right-click the speaker icon in your system tray. This is usually at the lower right of your computer monitor.
2. Select Open Sound Settings.
3. Check your default Output device. Normally this will be the speakers or headphones you regularly use, but not always. You can use the dropdown menu to change your default for the system.
But some apps will save their own preferences. So we will need to check those as well.
4. Scroll down until you see the Advanced sound options section.
5. Click on the App volume and device preferences link.
6. Find your browser that you use for Collaborate in the list and check if you have options in the dropdown to select the sound source you expect to hear it from.
Notice that there is also an Input option if you are having problems selecting the correct microphone.
Read through and try everything suggested in Blackboard’s support page for
Chrome: https://help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Participant/Support/Chrome_Support
Firefox: https://help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Participant/Support/Firefox_WebRTC_Support
When you use Collaborate for the first time a wizard will guide you through the setup.
It is important to pay attention to the device you choose to use with Collaborate if you have a choice.
The recommendation is to use a headset with microphone.
No luck? Please try going through the wizard again and double check that you have selected the right devices.
Still not working? Read through the page linked below and check through everything it recommends.
https://help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Participant/Participate_in_Sessions/Audio_and_Video
You’ll have to send us a ticket, but before you do there are two things to do first:
Within the Collaborate session you can capture some date which will be very useful for us to check.
Return to Blackboard Collaborate For Students Main Page ↵
Your course instructor may set up groups within your Blackboard course. One of the tools that instructors may enable for a groups is a Collaborate room just for that group.
If you have been added to a group it will appear below the course menu.
When you click on the name of the group, the tools available to your group appear.
Select Collaborate to enter your Collaborate area.
An alternate route is select the right hand arrow next to your group name, this shows the full group area, including the group tools. Select Collaborate to enter your Collaborate area.
Select Join Room to enter your Collaborate area.
Arrange a convenient time when you and your fellow group members can join your Collaborate room and work together. Sometimes life is more fun when we work with others.
Be aware that:
Students may also make their own group and use Collaborate, watch this video to find out more.
Return to Blackboard Collaborate For Students Main Page ↵
Moderators have the ability to record their sessions in a standard format accessible by a wide array of devices for their learners to review on demand. Recorded sessions are saved as MP4 format.
Due to limited space to host Collaborate recordings, we recommend that, where appropriate, instructor transfer their recording to the Recorded Session section of Blackboard courses.
If you are expecting to be able to view a recording you may find it there.
Recordings become available on average between 20 minutes and one hour after the session recording is stopped. In busy times this may take longer.
1. Access the Bb Collaborate menu in your course.
2. Select the Hamburger icon (three horizontal lines).
3. Select Recordings from the side menu.
4. Any recordings will be shown. Select the ellipsis icon (three horizontal dots) for options such as playback and download (if enabled).
5. When watching a recording you may open the session menu (on the top left) to download a chat transcript, which depending on the options set when the instructor created the session, may be anonymised.
6. Or by opening the chat panel (bottom right) the chat message will appear in real-time with the recording.
Return to Blackboard Collaborate For Students Main Page ↵
During a Collaborate session you may have the chance to answer a poll. Polls may be in the form of a multiple choice question, or a Yes/No question.
When a poll is opened the question and possible answers will appear an example is below.
When you select an option it will be highlighted.
You can change your choice until the poll is stopped.
The answers to poll questions are not currently recorded but will be in the future. The moderator/s will know how you answered.
The moderator has the option to show the results of the poll to all attendees. Once the poll has been closed, all data around it lost.
Polls do not appear in recordings of Collaborate sessions.
Return to Blackboard Collaborate For Students Main Page ↵
When in a large meeting, or when your microphone is disabled as a participant, it can be important for the presenter to get feedback from the participants. This can be done from within your profile picture.
At any time during the session, click on your profile to view the available feedback.
Currently, the feedback that you can give is
Clicking on any of these options will show the corresponding sentiment next to your name. A count of peoples feelings is also shown at the top of the Attendee panel.
You can also raise your hand, which pops up a message on the presenter’s screen with your name telling them that you wish to interrupt.
Return to Blackboard Collaborate For Students Main Page ↵
There are three roles and four main permissions available in Collaborate.
The three main roles are
A moderator can elevate a participant to a presenter or a moderator at any time. They can also demote a presenter back to being a participant after they have finished presenting.
Instructors can set default permissions for participants. These are set before the meeting room opens, but can also be changed on the fly.
As these permissions can be changed during the meeting, you may be silenced during while a PowerPoint file is presented, and then allowed to speak afterwards. If you are made a presenter (which also allows you to upload files and share your screen) you will have all four permissions granted automatically.
Microphones and Webcams that are on when disabled by a moderator will be turned off by default if re-enabled later in the meeting.
