Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

Rich Berg, Senior Instructional DesignerLearning Technology ServicesUniversity of Wisconsin-Stout

What is Blackboard Collaborate Ultra?• Web conferencing tool• Integrated with Learn@UW-Stout (D2L)• Browser-based (no Java issues)• Live/real-time communication• Show PowerPoints, other files• Can be recorded and played back

What is Recommended Browser?• Google Chrome is the recommended browser

How Might I Use Ultra for My Courses?• Online office hours• Class meetings• Guest speakers/lecturers• Student work groups• Student presentations• Department meetings• Other ideas?

What we’ll do in this session• Set up a session in a course• Navigate the interface• Q & A time

Find Collaborate Ultra• Enter course• Go to Other Tools menu

Create a Session• Click on Plus (+) or Create Session

Name the Session• Give a descriptive name

Choose the Duration• Set the start date and time• You can set the duration:• To end on a certain date and time• To have no end• To repeat daily, weekly, or monthly

Decide on Early Entry

• Not always important• Used mainly for one-offs

Determine Guest Access• Which role participants will have on entry• Guest link (for those not enrolled in course

Session Settings• Recording• Moderator permissions• What participants can do

Navigating the Interface• Entering a Session• Main toolbar• Collaborate panel• Session menu

Enter a Session• Go to Collaborate Ultra• Click on name of session

Main Toolbar• My Settings• Present/Away• Microphone• Webcam• Raise hand

My (your) Settings• Two ways to get there• Add photo• Audio and video settings• Notification settings• Session Settings

Enter from main toolbar

Enter from Collaborate panel

Audio and Video Settings• Set up camera and microphone• Use phone for audio*• Adjust microphone level• Adjust speaker level

Notification Settings• Visual and Auditory notifications• Session/breakout group entry/exit• Posting of chat message• Closed Captioning availability*• Raised hand

Session Settings• Show only moderator profile pics• Participant permissions• Share audio• Share video• Post chat messages• Draw on whiteboards and files

Collaborate Panel• Chat• Participants• Share Content• My Settings (already covered)

My Settings

ParticipantsChat

Share Content

Close

Chat Tool• Used for sending text messages• Messages seen by everyone*• No 1-to-1 chats• Emoticons can be added

Participants List• Shows who is in session• Promotion/demotion of roles• Checking of network connections• Remove participants from session

Share Content• Use whiteboard• Share applications• Show files• Conduct polls• Create/use breakout groups

Session Menu• Start/stop recording• Use phone for audio• Leave session

Questions?• Rich Berg• 715-232-1223• bergr@uwstout.edu