FAQs

What Is Blackboard Collaborate?

Blackboard Collaborate (BBC) is a webconferencing software, designed especially for teaching and learning in a virtual environment. It was designed by educators for educators and as such, Blackboard Collaborate provides a rich set of teaching tools and educational resources. Blackboard Collaborate has been selected as the enterprise webconferencing tool for teaching and learning throughout The UWI.

Tools And Features

Blackboard Collaborate has a wide range of tools to support teaching and learning in a virtual environment. These include interactive whiteboard, polling, chat, quiz, application sharing, breakout rooms, accessibility features for the hearing-impaired, among others. To see a demo of some of the tools and features, click on the link: BBC Demo

How Can I Access Blackboard Collaborate At UWI?

Blackboard Collaborate can be accessed via the Moodle learning management system on each campus.

Technical Requirements

Blackboard Collaborate is easily accessible to anyone who has Internet connectivity - via LANs, broadband and wireless networks. It works well on a variety of platforms – PC, Mac, mobile devices, among others. Click on the link below to see a detailed list of hardware and software requirements: Hardware and Software Requirements

Bandwidth Information

What should I do if bandwidth is a concern?

For sessions where bandwidth is a concern, Blackboard recommends that no users share their webcam video unless required for the instruction. We also recommend that the moderator/presenter use file sharing and whiteboard for content instead of application sharing unless required for the instruction. Under this scenario, a user with 128k connection will be able to participate fully in the session.

Support Hint: Instructors should disable video sharing for participants.

Bandwidth requirements

Bandwidth Management

Tips on conserving bandwidth:

1. Use a LAN connection wherever possible
2. Use Video sparingly
3. Share PowerPoint content as a File Upload rather than via application sharing
4. When sharing applications, size the application window so that is no bigger than necessary
5. Mute your audio when appropriate to minimise use of audio bandwidth

Training

Targeted training resources can be accessed on the UWI Blackboard Collaborate portal at: BBC Training Portal

BBC Faculty Support: http://uwi.edu/bbc/faculty

BBC Student Support: http://uwi.edu/bbc/students

BBC Faculty Technical Support: http://uwi.edu/bbc/technicalsupport

Technical Support

There are three avenues for technical support:

1. Your Campus Support team. For contact information, click on the link: BBC Support

2. The Blackboard Collaborate Support site: https://help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra

3. Designated faculty/department technical support personnel. Contact your Faculty/Department.