Blackboard Collaborate can be accessed directly from within Blackboard. It appears in the Control Panel under Course Tools and in a Content Area under Add Interactive Tool. The Instructor sets up a session and the student can access it from the Content Area page or through the Tools button of the module.
 
You can also contact ithelpdesk@ucd.ie for information about upcoming courses & events on Blackboard Collaborate and with any specific queries you may have.

Q1 What equipment do I need to attend a virtual class or meeting?

Before you attend a virtual class or meeting you will need to consider

• Your location - is it a quiet place or shared office?
• How you can minimise potential interruptions during the meeting - phones etc.

You will need a headset with both headphones and microphone to listen to & contribute to the session. It is advisable not to use built-in microphones as these create echo, feedback and the sound quality is not as good for other attendees of the virtual meeting

Q2 What are the minimum requirements for my computer?

Microsoft Windows Client

Vista (32 or 64 bit)Pentium III 1 GHz processor256 MB RAM or better

Apple Macintosh Client

Mac OS X 10.5 (Snow Leopard)G4, G5 or Intel processor256 MB RAM

Linux Client

openSUSE 11 (64 bit) or Ubuntu 8.10 (64 bit)Pentium III 1 GHz processor256 MB RAM

Q3 Does Blackboard Collaborate require a particular browser?

Windows: Internet Explorer 7 or higher; Firefox 3.6+ or higher; Google Chrome 3.0.15 or higher

Mac: Safari 4.x; Firefox 3.6+

Linux: Firefox 3.6+

In addition, all clients require:

• 256 MB of free RAM
• 20 MB free disk space
• 28.8 kbps Internet connection
• Speaker and Microphone, headsets are preferred

Q4 Why does Blackboard Collaborate require access to my local harddrive? 

To access virtual classrooms and meetings - client software needs to be installed.

Q5 How can an instructor schedule a virtual class from Blackboard?

• Log in to Blackboard and select your course as normal
• Under "Control Panel", click "ourse Tools" and "Blackboard Collaborate"
• Click on "Create Session"
• Specifiy a session title (or accept the default of the Blackboard Course Title)
• Specify both a start and end date/time
• Click the "Content Area" tab and select the content area to which the guest link will be published
• Click on "Submit" to create the session
• Course members access the session by clicking on the link which is created in the content area

Q6 How can a staff member or instructor upload a presentation to virtual classroom or meeting?

Note: only moderators can upload presentations

• Click on the "Load Content" button in the upper right-hand corner
• A window pops up asking you to select the file to load. Select your file and click "Open"
• Your presentation will now be uploaded
• You can navigate through your presentation by using the forward and back arrows in the "Page Explorer" window

Q7 Can I show a DVD through Blackboard Collaborate?

No. Blackboard Collaborate does support some video formats, DVD is not one of them. The Application sharing tool is not an option; it does not transmit graphics fast enough for video and does not transmit sound at all.

Q8 How can I join a virtual class or meeting through Blackboard?

A link will appear in the main content area or it will be emailed to you

Q9 How can I configure and test my microphone?

Go to Blackboard Support and download the program and follow the steps

Q10 How can an instructor record a virtual class and how long will they remain?

Simply by pressing the Record button will record the session. The recorded session can be made available to the students. Recordings will last as long as UCD continues its contract for Blackboard Collaborate.
Recordings can be downloaded if needed.

Q1 What equipment do I need to attend a virtual class or meeting?

Before you attend a virtual class or meeting you will need to consider

• Your location - is it a quiet place or shared office?
• How you can minimise potential interruptions during the meeting - phones etc.

You will need a headset with both headphones and microphone to listen to & contribute to the session. It is advisable not to use built-in microphones as these create echo, feedback and the sound quality is not as good for other attendees of the virtual meeting

Q2 What are the minimum requirements for my computer?

Collaborate with the Ultra experience supports Windows and Mac PCs, Google Chromebook and Microsoft Surface Pro devices provided one of the supported browsers (listed below) are being used and audio/camera devices work with those browsers.  (Microsoft Surface devices running Windows RT are not supported.)

• Speaker and Microphone, headsets are preferred
• Mobile devices with the Bb Student App are also supported

Q3 How can an instructor schedule a virtual class from Blackboard?

• Log in to Blackboard and select your course as normal
• Under "Control Panel", click "ourse Tools" and "Blackboard Collaborate"
• Click on "Create Session"
• Specifiy a session title (or accept the default of the Blackboard Course Title)
• Specify both a start and end date/time
• Click the "Content Area" tab and select the content area to which the guest link will be published
• Click on "Submit" to create the session
• Course members access the session by clicking on the link which is created in the content area

Q4 How can a staff member or instructor upload a presentation to virtual classroom or meeting?

Note: only moderators can upload presentations

• Click on the "Load Content" button in the upper right-hand corner
• A window pops up asking you to select the file to load. Select your file and click "Open"
• Your presentation will now be uploaded
• You can navigate through your presentation by using the forward and back arrows in the "Page Explorer" window

Q5 Can I show a DVD through Blackboard Collaborate?

No. Blackboard Collaborate does support some video formats, DVD is not one of them. The Application sharing tool is not an option; it does not transmit graphics fast enough for video and does not transmit sound at all.
 

Q6 How can I join a virtual class or meeting through Blackboard?

A link will appear in the main content area or it will be emailed to you
 

Q7 How can I configure and test my microphone?

Go to Blackboard Support and download the program and follow the steps

Q8 How can an instructor record a virtual class and how long will they remain?

Simply by pressing the Record button will record the session. The recorded session can be made available to the students. Recordings will last as long as UCD continues its contract for Blackboard Collaborate.

Recordings can be downloaded if needed.