What is Blackboard Collaborate Ultra?
Collaborate Ultra is an online virtual classroom/meeting space which allows users to connect via audio, see each other via webcams, use a chat tool, collaborate on documents and view presentations, as well as other features. Students often find it easier to access Collaborate from home using their high-speed internet connection rather than MacEwan's WiFi.
What do you need?
1. Working PC, Mac or mobile devices: Sessions are hosted in your browser. We recommended that you use Google Chrome as a browser to access the session. If you want to use an iPhone or iPad to access the Collaborate session, you will need to install the BB Student app first.
2. Internet connection: The faster your web connection the better Collaborate will work, although a regular broadband connection should prove ample.
3. Headsets and microphone: if you are required to talk in the session, you will need a headset with a microphone (either built-in or plugged-in).
4. Webcam: If you wish to allow other users in the room to see you. This is not essential, but may be useful. Your computer may have one built in.
Where can I access it? Your instructor will show you the Bb Tool link in your course that when clicked will bring you to a "Join Room" link.
Audio and Video Set Up - Be seen and heard.
When you are in the session, the first thing that you will need to check is your audio and video set up to make sure that you can be seen and heard. To set up, go to your Avatar icon -> My Settings You must give the browser permission to use audio and video to participate in a session. This is necessary so that you are seen and heard. You can set up audio and video at any time in My Settings. Point to your avatar to open My Settings. Adjust your speaker and microphone volume. By default, you are hidden and muted after you complete the setup. Click the microphone and camera icons to begin full meeting participation. With your keyboard, press Alt + M to turn your microphone on and off. Press Alt + C to turn your camera on and off.
NB: Once Blackboard Collaborate loads you can click the microphone button to share your audio and the to share your webcam video.
Session Tools
Chat tool - Talk in the session using text. If you prefer to use text to chat with your peers and lecturers, you can use the Chat Tool. You can access the tool via the bubble icon. The recording for the session will not include the chat conversation.
Participant List The Participant List is a tool for you to see who else is in the session.
Add a Profile Picture - Make it personal. Give a face to your voice and add a profile picture in your Avatar -> My Settings. Point to the avatar image to change the picture. Upload any image or use your device camera to take a photo. You can choose to use this profile picture for every session. Adjust the image area and click I Like it! to save the profile picture.
Content Tools
You may be required by your lecturer to contribute to the resources/content that is shared on the whiteboard. You can choose how you will contribute by selecting tools in the Content Tools area.
Select: Use the arrow to select an object on the whiteboard. After you select it you can resize, move, and delete it.
Pointer: Use the hand to point to different areas of the visible slide. Participants see wherever you are pointing on the slide. •
Pencil: Use the pencil to draw free hand on the slide.
Square: Use the square to draw a rectangle, ellipse, or a straight line.
Text: Type text on the slide with the "T".
Erase: Use the eraser to undo everything you or another moderator has added to the slide with one click.
View Controls You can click on the three dots option to show and hide View Controls.
Zoom In: Make the content bigger. Move the content around to see everything.
Zoom Out: Make the content smaller.
Best Fit: Take advantage of your screen real estate. Content adjusts to be completely viewable in the available area. It displays as large as possible while keeping the aspect ratio intact.
Actual Size: Return the image to the original size.
Give yourself time to learn what you can and can't do in the session. Add a profile picture and set up your audio and video. If you are presenting, make sure you can share content. Practice using the tools.
Mute yourself when not speaking. Nothing is more distracting than background noise. For example, typing or a private conversation. It can also give the impression that you aren't paying attention.
Use Set as Away to let everyone know that you are not available for any response.
Put your hands up if you would like to ask a question while others are talking or to indicate that you would like to talk.