Documentation:Blackboard Collaborate/Prepare Moderators to Use Blackboard Collaborate Web Conferencing

In order to use Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing efficiently and conveniently as a moderator, it is important that your computer meet the application's system requirements, that you become familiar with the process of configuring your computer and your devices in this application, and that you orient yourself with some of the features and settings of Blackboard Collaborate Web conferencing that can help you to customize your session for optimal impact.

This document will show you how to:

• Ensure your computer hardware and software meet the system requirements of Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing
• Test out Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing features and your devices in the Configuration Room
• Make informed decisions about the settings and features you will utilize in your session
• Identify teaching and learning best practices facilitated by the functions of this resource

Video

Watch the video below for an introduction to important tools and features of Blackboard Collaborate Web Conferencing in video format:

System Requirements

1. Confirm your computer's operating system falls into one of the following categories:
   • Mac OS 10.5 or later
   • Ubuntu 10.04 or later
   • Windows XP or later
2. Confirm your computer has an up to date version of Java.
3. Confirm your computer has 256 MB of RAM.
4. Confirm your computer has 20 MB of free disk space.
5. Broadband internet access (28.8 kbps or above) is highly recommended.
6. Confirm your computer has a soundcard.
7. Confirm that your computer has functioning input and output audio devices. Headsets with a microphone and headphones are recommended.
   • If a participant will not be contributing audio to the session a microphone will not be required. Required for moderators.
8. Confirm that you have a webcam.
   • If a participant will not be contributing video to the session a webcam will not be required. Required for moderators.

Test Features and Devices

1. Click here to go to the Blackboard Support webpage for first time users of Collaborate Web Conferencing. In Step 2 click the link for "v12 Configuration Room".
2. There will be a series of pop ups asking you to confirm that you are willing to open the application. Select the affirmative answers to continue.
3. Once you have opened Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing follow the steps on the slide shown.
4. Using the steps provided on the slide, complete the Audio Wizard and check to ensure you have set your connection speed correctly.
5. Additionally, it is recommended that you experiment with sound, video and other settings available to you in Preferences.

   • Mac: Preferences can be found via the Blackboard Collaborate menu
   • PC: Preferences can be found via the Edit menu

6. It is recommended that you join your sessions early to troubleshoot and confirm satisfactory configuration each time.
7. Note: To join your session participants will need to enter the session URL into your browser. This can be possible via many methods but perhaps the most common will be a link within your Connect course environment or an email from the moderator. Entering this URL will prompt participants to download a .jnlp file which should be automatically opened upon completion of the download. If it is not automatically opened upon completion, do so from your browser downloads (Windows: Control + j) (Mac: Shift + Command + j).

Options, Features and Applications to Consider

The diversity of options available in Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing allows you to customize your session to suit your needs delivering a lecture, facilitating a workshop, working collaboratively with group members, and in many other possible applications.

• Blackboard Collaborate Plan:

  Upload all your presentation content in advance with Blackboard Collaborate Plan. This application has a diversity of options that will allow you to focus your in-session efforts on delivery and interaction as you simply click step by step through your content. See our Blackboard Collaborate Plan resource for further information.

• Blackboard Collaborate Publish:

  Convert audio/video files from your session recordings to standard file types easily uploaded to YouTube and elsewhere with Blackboard Collaborate Publish. See our our Blackboard Collaborate Publish resource for further information.

• Hide Attendee Names in Session Recording:

  If you hesitate to post your session recordings openly online due to privacy concerns around your participants names, you can adjust your settings to hide the usernames of your attendees in the session recording. This can be done while creating sessions inside and outside Connect. Outside, when creating a session look for Hide Attendee Names in Default Fields. In Connect this can be done under Session Attributes on the Information tab when creating a web conferencing session.

• Web Tour:

  Conduct a Web Tour with your students. This will allow you to tour your students through the internet and is the easiest way to play a YouTube video in a session.

• Participants Panel:

  In the Participants Panel participants can "raise their hand", explicitly express emotions (e.g. confusion, approval), respond to polls, and engage in public and private instant messaging with other participants.

Effective Practices

Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing is a unique communication platform that creates the potential for students and instructors to create flexible extended learning environments. The functions focused on in this document directly:

• Work to reduce technical obstacles to using this new learning technology
• Provide insights and examples about how this new learning technology can be applied

The function focused on in this document can support a number of Chickering and Gamson's Seven Principles, including:

3. Good practice uses active learning techniques

7. Good practice respects diversity --- talents, experience, and ways of learning

We encourage both students and instructors to read more about the Seven Principles to see how they can inform their teaching and learning.