Blackboard Collaborate

Using Blackboard Collaborate

Blackboard Collaborate

Introduction

These support pages are to help you use the various features that Blackboard Collaborate has to offer.

Blackboard have extensive detailed help pages that can be found on their Blackboard Collaborate Ultra pages.

Starting a Blackboard Collaborate Session

This guide takes you through what happens when you join a session for the first time and how to change the settings.

Using the whiteboard

Moderators and presenters may open a whiteboard and draw on it during a session. They may also use the drawing tools to draw over a presentation or other shared file. This guide shows how.

​Taking part in Breakout Groups

During a Blackboard Collaborate session, moderators may assign you into a breakout group.  This allows you to do some short discussion as part of this group before rejoining the main group to share your ideas or answers.

Raise your hand

You can raise your virtual hand to answer a question or get the presenters attention.

How to enable automated captions

Watch this video to find out how to enable automated captions in Chrome for Collaborate.

Dialing into a Blackboard Collaborate Session using a phone line

There may be times when you can’t use a computer or mobile device but you want to join a Collaborate session.  You can dial into a session with any phone.

Important: It will cost you to do this, so please check with the person who pays the bill before you pick up the phone.

The Collaborate User Interface

When you start a Collaborate session for the first time you will get an optional tutorial. Should you need a reminder this guide covers the basics of the Blackboard Collaborate User Interface.

Using a virtual background with Blackboard Collaborate

Find out how to make a virtual Background like MS Teams, the following guide has a how to video along with a number of backgrounds are ready for you.

Using chat

A simple way to be able to communicate with the presenter and other participants in a session.

Answering poll questions

During a Blackboard Collaborate session you may be asked to complete a poll.  This may be for example, making a choice, indicating an opinion, or confirming knowledge.

Status and feedback

During a Blackboard Collaborate session participants may share their sentiment about the session such as agreeing or asking the presenter to slow down for example.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have collated the questions most frequently asked by UoS colleagues about Blackboard Collaborate and have compiled this useful list.

If you already have a question or technical issue, you may find the answer here.

Using Blackboard Collaborate

Blackboard Collaborate

Return to Blackboard Collaborate Main Page ↵

Introduction

These support pages are to help you get up and running using the various features that Blackboard Collaborate has to offer.

Blackboard have extensive detailed help pages that can be found on their Blackboard Collaborate Ultra pages.

Starting a Blackboard Collaborate Session

This guide takes you through what happens when you join a session for the first time and how to change the settings.

The Collaborate User Interface

When you start a Collaborate session for the first time you will get an optional tutorial. Should you need a reminder this guide covers the basics of the Blackboard Collaborate User Interface.

Using the whiteboard

Moderators and presenters may open a whiteboard and draw on it during a session. They may also use the drawing tools to draw over a presentation or other shared file. This guide shows how.

Recording your Blackboard Collaborate Session

Moderators can record their Blackboard Collaborate session and, if they wish, make that recording available to participants watch back.

The University has limited capacity to store recordings, so we recommend moving your recordings to Panopto and then deleting them from Blackboard Collaborate. 

​Using Breakout Groups

During a session moderators can assign participants into breakout groups, placing them into a temporary group collaborate room where they can work together before re-joining the main group.

Currently breakout groups cannot be premade before a session, a change coming to Collaborate will allow this. For more information look at the guide.

How Student Groups can use Collaborate

You can allow student groups within your Blackboard course to have their own individual Collaborate rooms. Here shows you how this can be set up.

Dialing into a Blackboard Collaborate Session using a phone line

There may be times when you can’t use a computer or mobile device but you want to join a Collaborate session.  You can dial into a session with any phone.

Important: It will cost you to do this, so please check with the person who pays the bill before you pick up the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have collated the questions most frequently asked by UoS colleagues about Blackboard Collaborate and have compiled this useful list.

If you already have a question or technical issue, you may find the answer here.

Setting Up Collaborate Sessions

A ‘Course Room’ is automatically available for every Blackboard course that allows you to jump straight into a session. However you will also need to create sessions to suit different purposes, this guide takes you through the process.

Roles, permissions, and external guests

Moderator, presenter, participant, what do these roles mean and what can they do? How can I invite guests from outside the University of just outside of the course?

Sharing Content

During a session, moderators and presenters may share content so participants can see it. This could be sharing your screen, sharing a browser tab, sharing a presentation, or file. This guide shows how this is done.

Engaging with your audience

During a session participants may send messages in the chat or raise your awareness by using interactive tools such as agreeing or asking the presenter to slow down etc. This guide shows you these tools and how to manage your participants.

Using the Poll tool to quickly gauge opinion and knowledge

In a session it is quick and easy to create an interactive poll. You may use this, for example, to ask participants to make a choice, to indicate an opinion, or as a test of knowledge. This guide shows you how.

​Reporting on Collaborate Session Attendance

After a session you may wish to review who attended/joined the session. You can generate an attendance report of a Collaborate session. To see how look here.

Using a virtual background with Blackboard Collaborate

Find out how to make a virtual Background like MS Teams, the following guide has a how to video along with a number of backgrounds are ready for you.

How to enable automated captions

Watch this video to find out how to enable automated captions in Chrome for Collaborate.

Collaborate versus Teams

Blackboard Collaborate

Are you unsure whether Collaborate or Teams is more appropriate to your needs?

Use the chart below to see how Blackboard Collaborate and Teams differ.

(Comparison chart accurate at 20 April 2021) 

While in plenary session 

  Teams  Collaborate 
Can students scribble on a shared document e.g. a pdf document or converted PPT?   No  Yes 
Can you stop and start the ability to scribble?  Scribble not available  Yes 
Can you turn off chat during a session?  ?  Yes 

Using Break Out Rooms (BORs) 

  Teams  Collaborate 
Can you delegate who can open break out rooms?  No  Yes 
Can you have multiple owners/moderators?  No  Yes 
Can you keep staff out of BORs?  Yes but needs to be done manually  Yes. Moderators stay in the main room 
Can the organiser hear everything happening in all BORs?……………………………………………………………………………………….  Need to visit each room  Need to visit each room 
Is there a time announcement e.g. you will move in 10 seconds?  Coming soon is the ability for rooms to last a specified period of time.  No 
Which platform must you use for BORs to work?  Latest version of app  Works through browser or app 
Can attendees record BORs?  Yes  No 
Can attendees access chat in their room?  Yes  Yes 
Can the organiser close all rooms at once?  Yes  Yes 
Can attendees share screens in BORs?  Yes  Yes 
Can attendees share files?  Yes  Yes 
Do attendees have access to a whiteboard?  Yes  Yes 
Can attendees access the whiteboard content after session?  Yes (either through chat or Whiteboard app)  No (but they can take a screen shot) 
Can attendees self-move between rooms assigned BOR and main room?  Yes (but must be enabled by organiser)  Yes (but must be enabled by organiser) 
Can attendees self-move between rooms assigned BOR and another BOR?  No  Yes (but must be enabled) 
Will chats created in Break Out Rooms be available after session?  Yes (through chat tab on task bar in Teams)  No 
Can external guests join break out rooms?  ?  Yes 
Meeting notes  Yes  No (use online Word doc as a workaround) 
Can organiser move people between rooms while break out rooms are in progress?  Not yet  Yes 
Is there a function like Together mode?  Yes  No 
Can attendees change their backgrounds?  Yes  No (but can use snapchat as a workaround) 
Can organiser push Polls into BORs?  ?  No 
Can attendees use autogenerated captions in break out rooms?  Yes  No 

 

How to get the best experience when attending a Blackboard Collaborate session from outside the UK

Blackboard Collaborate

The performance of Blackboard Collaborate will be affected by a number of factors including personal Internet connection, bandwidth, network connectivity and firewall settings. You may not have control over all of these factors, but the following guidance will help to improve your session experience: 

Use an up to date, supported web Browser 

  • We recommend Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
  • We recommend that attendees in China use Mozilla Firefox web browser  as Google Chrome is not always available or reliable in China.

Ways to Improve your bandwidth

Your internet speed and consistency may be poor and will depend on where you live. To maximise your connection performance try the following :  

  • Use a hard-wired (Ethernet) connection to your router if available. 
  • If using Wifi, try to be as close to the router as possible. 
  • Close all other browser tabs, and unnecessary applications on your computer, when you are using Collaborate.
  • Close programs that are running in the background using bandwidth, such as cloud storage synchronization services – for example, Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive. 
  • Turn off your webcam sharing unless you really need it to participate. 

Check your Internet Provider. 

Network conditions for internet providers vary during the day depending on their own load.  The lockdown and Covid period has affected the stability and quality of several internet providers.  You could see if an alternative provider could give a better service.

  • Users with China Unicom and China Mobile report the best performance when using Collaborate. Users with China Telecom can experience more connection problems. 1 

Check your connection status in Collaborate 

If your connection is poor, a red connection status indicator appears over your profile picture in Collaborate. Move your pointer over it for the connection details. 

This information is always updating. Collaborate adjusts your experience based on your current connection. For more information on what your connection status means see this guide

View the session recording 

If your session was interrupted, you can access a recording. The lecturer can choose to record a live session so please ask for this if they have not pressed record at the start of the session.  

  • A guide on where to find & view Collaborate recording is here: Collaborate Recordings
  • Your lecturer may move the Collaborate recordings into Panopto. They can be found by following the link to Recorded Sessions on the Blackboard course menu. 

Reporting connection issues in Collaborate 

  • Let your lecturer know if you are experiencing any issues that will affect your learning. 
  • If you have tried the suggestions above, and you are still experiencing connection & quality issues, open a ServiceLine ticket.
    It is helpful if you can collect your session data to share with us – you can use the Report an issue function while in your Collaborate session. Copy and paste the text of the auto-generated report into the ServiceLine ticket. 

 

1 Blackboard Collaborate Supporting Clients during Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) September 2020 

Snap Camera backgrounds that can be used with Collaborate

Blackboard Collaborate, Collaborate

Animated preview of some of the backgroundsBelow 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.

Follow this guide if you wish to create your own backgrounds.

Plain
UoS Logo
Campus
Nature
Art
Aesthetic
Seasonal

Plain backgrounds


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Back to top


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Back to top


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Back to top


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

* Note regarding images with the UoS Logo

When you use images that contain the logo in Blackboard collaborate, your video preview will mirror the logo text. Other participants will see the text in the correct orientation, and this will also apply to the recording.

 

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Campus backgrounds


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Back to top

Nature


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Back to top


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Back to top

Art


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Back to top

Aesthetic


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Back to top


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Back to top

Seasonal


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.


Right click on and copy this link to the clipboard, then paste it into the SnapCam search box.

Captions with University services

Accessible Content, Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate, captions, Collaborate, Office 365, Panopto, Teams

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:

  • the accent of the speaker.
  • the quality of the audio (e.g. microphone, internet connection).
  • whether the topic has lots of jargon or specialist terms.
  • the speed at which the presenter speaks.
  • the language used, some automated captioning services only recognise English speech.

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:

Panopto (aka Recorded Sessions/Lectures)

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.

  1. First, the instructor must follow this guide to enable automated captions for their recorded session.
  2. Then viewers may watch a recorded session and turn on captions if you wish by following this guide.

Editing captions is also possible, instructors may edit automated captions by following this guide.

Blackboard Collaborate

Blackboard Collaborate Logo

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.

Enable Captions in Blackboard Collaborate

 

 

Watch the video to find out how to set up captions with Collaborate. 

 

 

Teams

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.

ellipsis button in Teams

Teams meeting transcripts

Teams can also produce a transcript during a meeting. This is useful to view during a meeting, and particularly after a meeting. If you wish to have a transcript it’s important to turn it on at the start of the meeting.

Learn more about using the transcript feature in Teams.

 

Bob National / Learning On Screen (TV catchup service)

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.

 

Box of Broadcasts screenshot with subtitles button highlighted.

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.

Stream

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.

A transcript of a Steam video

Owners of videos may edit the captions or transcript.

YouTube

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.

PowerPoint 365

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.

 

Other online videos

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.

Learn more about captions

Meryl K. Evans maintains an excellent frequently asked questions list about captioning videos.

Glossary

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.

 

Blackboard Collaborate Lesson Recipes

Bb Communication, Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate, Collaborate, recipe

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 process from scheduling the event > leading the activity > closing the activity.
  • links to additional guidance if you are not sure how to do something in Collaborate.
  • tips for dealing with unexpected issues and for getting more boom for your buck when using the activity.

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.

Inviting guest presenters

How to include an external speaker/presenter in a session.

Creating discussions

How to scaffold a discussion using a series of short videos by sharing your screen and posting the link to the video in the chat.

Gallery walk

How to set up a ‘gallery walk’ where groups share and collect ideas to help develop a final draft of work.

Think Pair Share

How to lead a Think-Pair-Share session using break out rooms.

Group tasks activities

How to organise an activity where different groups have different tasks/texts.

Simulations and role play activities

How to use customisable backgrounds for simulations/role play activities.

If you are member of the University and you have a lesson recipe to share or you would like a solution that involves Collaborate, please contact the Digital Learning Team. This initiative is part of the University’s EASD 20/21 project.

How to resolve issues with Blackboard Collaborate

Bb Communication, Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate, Collaborate

 

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

  • Session not starting (purple wheel never stops spinning).
  • Audio issues e.g. you cannot hear anyone or they cannot hear you.
  • Connection issues, e.g. drop-outs, connection loss, stutters etc.

How Student Groups can use Collaborate

Bb Communication, Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate, Collaborate

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:

  • Only members of the group can access their Collaborate room.
  • Groups have only one Collaborate Group room, groups cannot create additional sessions.
  • A group cannot use Guest Links to invite others to join them in their room.
  • Collaborate Group rooms cannot use Polls or breakout areas.

Students may also make their own group and use Collaborate, watch this video to find out more.

Accessing videos of Blackboard Collaborate sessions that have been recorded

Bb Communication, Blackboard, Blackboard Collaborate, Collaborate

Where to find your recordings

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.

 

1. If you are unable to see any recordings, or wish to view past recordings first locate and select the ‘Filter by‘ dropdown menu.

2. Once you have selected it, change it from being ‘Recent Recordings‘ to instead be ‘Recordings in a Range‘.

3. The interface will now change and two dates will show. From here you can either select the calendar icon or the date itself.

4. Change the date to be far back in the past, if you have selected the date change the year to be last years.

5. Finally upon changing the date to be in the past you will see the list of recordings refresh and display everything that has been made for the course.

 

 

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