Notes: If you are receiving errors about not being able to connect to Collaborate, please go to http://status.blackboard.com and check on the status for Collaborate - Web Conferencing (US Hosted). This will let you know if Blackboard is having issues with Collaborate Ultra.

The recommended web browsers for Blackboard Collaborate Ultra are Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. If you find that some features are not working, you may need to update your web browser to the latest version.

Entering a Collaborate Session

This guide will demonstrate how to enter a Blackboard Collaborate Ultra section from your Blackboard Learn course.

Entering the Course Room from Blackboard

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra – Collaborate Ultra Demo ...Zoom: Blackboard Collaborate Ultra – Collaborate Ultra Demo ...

To join the Course Room:

  1. Locate the link for Blackboard Collaborate Ultra in the course menu.
  2. Click on the Course Room link in the Blackboard Collaborate Ultra portal
  3. The session information panel will appear on the right side. Click the Join Course Room button to log into the session.
  4. Optional: If you wish to use your phone to dial into the session audio, dial the phone number and enter the PIN when prompted.

Entering a Scheduled Session from Blackboard

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra – Collaborate Ultra Demo ...Zoom: Blackboard Collaborate Ultra – Collaborate Ultra Demo ...

To join the Course Room:

  1. Locate the link for Blackboard Collaborate Ultra in the course menu.
  2. Click on the link for the session in the Blackboard Collaborate Ultra portal
  3. The session information panel will appear on the right side. Click the Join Session button to log into the session.
  4. Optional: If you wish to use your phone to dial into the session audio, dial the phone number and enter the PIN when prompted.

     

Collaborate Ultra Interface

The user interface for Collaborate Ultra interface will look somewhat different depending upon whether you enter a session as either a Moderator or a Participant. These guides will help you explore the Collaborate Ultra interface from a Moderator's point of view. Here's a short video overview of the interface:

Blackboard Collaborate with the Ultra Experience User Interface Tour from Blackboard on Vimeo.

Entering a Session

Entering a SessionZoom: Entering a Session

To enter a Collaborate Ultra Session, simply click on the name (link) for an active session. If you created the session, if you are the instructor who created the session, then you will automatically enter the session as a Moderator.

Moderator Interface Main Screen

Image of the primary Blackboard Collaborate session display with the following items: 1.Open Session Menu: Click on this button to start recording, switch between telephony and computer audio, report an issue to Blackboard, access Blackboard Collaborate Help and tutorials, and to leave the session.2.Content Display: Video, whiteboards, and shared files will appear here.3.My Settings: Clicking this icon will bring up the My Setting pop-over window which allows you to add a photo, set up and change your audio and video settings, generate a phone number for telephone audio, change your notification settings, and change your session settings.4.Share Audio: Clicking this icon will toggle your microphone off and on.5.Share Video: Clicking this icon will toggle your video off and on.6.Raise Hand: Clicking this icon will alternately "raise" or "lower" your hand, a raised hand. Just as in a face-to-face classroom, you can use this to indicate that you have a question or want to answer a question.7.Collaborate Panel: Clicking this icon opens the Collaborate Panel, where you can access the Chat, Participant List, Share Content, and My Settings menus.Zoom: Image of the primary Blackboard Collaborate session display with the following items: 1.Open Session Menu: Click on this button to start recording, switch between telephony and computer audio, report an issue to Blackboard, access Blackboard Collaborate Help and tutorials, and to leave the session.2.Content Display: Video, whiteboards, and shared files will appear here.3.My Settings: Clicking this icon will bring up the My Setting pop-over window which allows you to add a photo, set up and change your audio and video settings, generate a phone number for telephone audio, change your notification settings, and change your session settings.4.Share Audio: Clicking this icon will toggle your microphone off and on.5.Share Video: Clicking this icon will toggle your video off and on.6.Raise Hand: Clicking this icon will alternately "raise" or "lower" your hand, a raised hand. Just as in a face-to-face classroom, you can use this to indicate that you have a question or want to answer a question.7.Collaborate Panel: Clicking this icon opens the Collaborate Panel, where you can access the Chat, Participant List, Share Content, and My Settings menus.

Starting with the icons at the top of the page, from left to right:

  1. Open Session Menu: Click on this button to start recording, switch between telephony and computer audio, report an issue to Blackboard, access Blackboard Collaborate Help and tutorials, and to leave the session.
  2. Content Display: Video, whiteboards, and shared files will appear here.
  3. My Settings: Clicking this icon will bring up the My Setting pop-over window which allows you to add a photo, set up and change your audio and video settings, generate a phone number for telephone audio, change your notification settings, and change your session settings. Clicking on the check icon will allow you to change your status or send feedback to the room.
  4. Share Audio: Clicking this icon will toggle your microphone off and on.
  5. Share Video: Clicking this icon will toggle your video off and on.
  6. Raise Hand: Clicking this icon will alternately "raise" or "lower" your hand, a raised hand. Just as in a face-to-face classroom, you can use this to indicate that you have a question or want to answer a question.
  7. Collaborate Panel: Clicking this icon opens the Collaborate Panel, where you can access the Chat, Participant List, Share Content, and My Settings menus.

Now that we've looked at the function of each of the interface icons, let's examine how use some of them in more detail.

Session Menu

Image of the Session Menu with the following items: 1.Close: Click the X button to close the menu and return to the session.2.Start Recording: Click this option to start session recording.3.Use your phone for audio: Click this option to switch audio modes.4.Report an Issue: Click this option to submit a report to Blackboard if you encounter problems during the session.5.Blackboard Collaborate Help: Click this button to access Blackboard's help resources.6.Learn more about the new Collaborate Interface: Click this option to learn more about Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.7.Leave Session: Click this option to exit the session. You can reenter the session as long as the session is live.

Here is a description of the options available in the Session Menu. These options will be covered in more detail in individual guides.

  1. Close: Click the X button to close the menu and return to the session.
  2. Start Recording: Click this option to start session recording.
  3. Use your phone for audio: Click this option to switch audio modes.
  4. Report an Issue: Click this option to submit a report to Blackboard if you encounter problems during the session.
  5. Tell me about Collaborate: Click this option to view a short tutorial on the Blackboard Collaborate interface.
  6. Blackboard Collaborate Help: Click this link to access Blackboard's help resources.
  7. Privacy Policy: Click this link to view Blackboard's privacy policy.
  8. Leave Session: Click this option to exit the session. You can reenter the session as long as the session is live.

Collaborate Panel

Image of the Collaborate Panel with the following options: 1.Chat: Click the Chat button to open the Chat window.2.Participants List: Click this button to view the Participants List.3.Share Content: Click this button to share content with participants.4.My Settings: Click this button to change your session settings.5.Close: Click the X button to close the Collaborate Panel.

The Collaborate Panel allows you to manage the session interactivity:

  1. Chat: Click the Chat button to open the Chat window.
  2. Participants List: Click this button to view the Participants List.
  3. Share Content: Click this button to share content with participants.
  4. My Settings: Click this button to change your session settings.
  5. Close: Click the X button to close the Collaborate Panel.

 

Uploading a Profile Picture

To make sessions more personal, you have the ability to add a profile picture for everyone in the session to see. Please follow the steps below to learn how to upload your profile picture.

Open My Settings

Open My SettingsZoom: Open My Settings

Click the My Settings button at the bottom of the session window.

 

Open the My Settings Tab

Open the My Settings Tab

Once the My Settings panel opens, click the My Settings tab.

 

Open the Profile Picture Panel

Open the Profile Picture Panel

Click the empty profile picture to open the Profile Picture panel.

 

Upload an Image

Upload an Image

Once the Profile Picture panel opens, click the Upload button and select your image. Then click the Save button.

 

Using the Chat

This guide will demonstrate how to use the chat tool to interact with participants.

Accessing the Collaborate Panel

Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.Zoom: Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.

To chat with session participants, you would need to open the Collaborate Panel. To open the Collaborate Panel, click on the purple button in the bottom right corner, and then click on the Chat button (indicated by the chat bubble icon) to initiate a chat.

Using the Chat

Image of the Chat window with the following annotations: 1.After opening the Collaborate Panel, click on the Chat button to open the Chat window.2.Use the Chat With dropdown menu to switch between chatting with all participants and chatting with moderators only.3.Chat messages will appear here.4.Type your message in the field here and use the Enter key on your keyboard to send the message.5.Click on the smiley face button to send an emoticom.

After opening the Chat window, you will now see a screen similar to the one above, with a search bar and available chat rooms:

  1. Find someone to chat with: Type a name in the search box to search for participants to send private chats.
  2. Everyone: Select this option to open a chat room in which messages are visible to all participants in the current session.
  3. Moderators: Select this option to open a chat room with other moderator users.
  4. Users: Individual users who have sent private chat messages will appear here.

You will also see a preview of the last message sent here.

Sending a Chat Message

After opening a chat room, you will see a screen similar to the one above. Previous messages will appear on the top, while messages can be composed using the text entry field at the bottom.

 
 

Sharing Audio

This guide will demonstrate how to share audio to participants in a Blackboard Collaborate session. For the best audio experience, we recommend working individually in a quiet environment with a headset microphone. If you are experiencing problems with your audio, you can switch to your telephone to listen to the session audio, or you can adjust your audio and video settings to select the correct input and adjust volume levels..

Sharing Audio, Part 1

Image of the Blackboard Collaborate room with an arrow pointing to the Share Audio button.Zoom: Image of the Blackboard Collaborate room with an arrow pointing to the Share Audio button.

Once you are in a Collaborate session, click the Share Audio Button (microphone icon) to share your audio.

 

Sharing Audio, Part 2

Image of the Collaborate interface showing audio sharing active.

After clicking the Share Audio button, the button will turn green, and the bar in the microphone represents your speaking volume level. When you are finished, click the Share Audio button again to mute your audio.

 

Sharing Video

This guide will demonstrate how to share video using Blackboard Collaborate. If you experience issues, you can change your audio and video settings to select the proper input. Note: Some integrated webcams have a slider that covers the camera. If you are not getting video, check to see if the webcam cover is open. Blackboard Collaborate allows up to five simultaneous cameras.

Sharing Video, Part 1

Image of a Blackboard Collaborate session showiing an arrow pointing to the Share Video buttonZoom: Image of a Blackboard Collaborate session showiing an arrow pointing to the Share Video button

To start sharing video, click on the Share Video button at the bottom of the screen.

 

Sharing Video, Part 2

Image of the video preview screen with an arrow pointing to the share video button

A preview of the video will pop up. When you are ready, click the Share Video button to begin sharing.

 

Sharing Video, Part 3

Image of the blackboard collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the video thumbnail in the bottom right corner and an arrow pointing to the share video button with instructions to click on the button to stop sharing video.Zoom: Image of the blackboard collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the video thumbnail in the bottom right corner and an arrow pointing to the share video button with instructions to click on the button to stop sharing video.

Your video will now appear as a thumbnail in the bottom left corner of the screen, while participants' video will appear in the center of the screen. When you are finished, click the Share Video button to stop sharing your video.

 

Editing Audio/Video Settings

This guide will demonstrate how to change the audio and video settings within a Blackboard Collaborate session.

Accessing the Collaborate Panel

Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.Zoom: Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.

To change the Audio and Video settings in Collaborate, you will need to open the Collaborate Panel. To open the Collaborate Panel, click on the purple button in the bottom right corner.

 

Accessing the Audio and Video Settings

Image of the Collaborate Panel with the following items: 1.Click on the gear icon to open the My Settings tab in the Collaborate Panel.2.Click on Audio and Video Settings to expand this section if it is not already expanded.

To access the Audio and Video Settings:

  1. Click on the gear icon to open the My Settings tab in the Collaborate Panel.
  2. Click on Audio and Video Settings to expand this section if it is not already expanded.
 

Modifying Audio and Video Settings

Image of the Audio and Video Settings screen with the following annotations: 1.Set up your camera and microphone: Select this option to set up or change your cameras and microphones.2.Use your phone for audio: Click this option to generate a telephone number and PIN to listen to the session audio using your telephone.3.Speaker Volume: Use the slider to adjust your speaker volume.4.Microphone Volume: Use the slider to adjust your microphone
  1. Set up your camera and microphone: Select this option to set up or change your cameras and microphones.
  2. Use your phone for audio: Click this option to generate a telephone number and PIN to listen to the session audio using your telephone.
  3. Speaker Volume: Use the slider to adjust your speaker volume.
  4. Microphone Volume: Use the slider to adjust your microphone
 

Setting up your Microphone

Image of the Audio Test screen in Blackboard Collaborate with the following items: 1.The purple bar represents the volume level of the currently selected microphone as you speak.2.Use the dropdown menu to select the available microphones.3.If the purple bar is not moving when you speak, click the No - I need help button for support assistance.4.If the microphone is working, click the Yes - It's working button to proceed to the next step.

The steps below will explain how to select and set up your microphone for Blackboard Collaborate:

  1. The purple bar represents the volume level of the currently selected microphone as you speak.
  2. Use the dropdown menu to select the available microphones.
  3. If the purple bar is not moving when you speak, click the No - I need help button for support assistance.
  4. If the microphone is working, click the Yes - It's working button to proceed to the next step.
 

Setting up your Webcam

Image of the video test screen with the following items: 1.A preview of your video feed will appear here.2.Use the dropdown menu to choose from available webcams.3.If you are having problems, click the No - I need help button.4.If everything is working, click the Yes - It's working button to return to the session.

The steps below will explain how to select and set up your webcam for Blackboard Collaborate:

  1. A preview of your video feed will appear here.
  2. Use the dropdown menu to choose from available webcams.
  3. If you are having problems, click the No - I need help button.
  4. If everything is working, click the Yes - It's working button to return to the session.

Setting your Status and Sending Feedback

Blackboard Collaborate allows participants in the room to send feedback to other participants in the room. The feedback is shown to other users for 30 seconds on avatar thumbnails in the main collaboration window, as well as in the Participants list. In addition, users can indicate themselves as being either present or away.

Sending your Status

Sending your Status

To send your status to participants, click on the green checkmark that appears on the My Settings button.

Selecting a Status

Selecting a Status

You would then be able to select from the available statuses shown in the image above:

  1. Away: Use this option to indicate that you have stepped away from the room.
  2. Leave Session: Use this option to leave the session. You will need to log back in to rejoin the session.
  3. Happy
  4. Surprised
  5. Agree
  6. Faster
  7. Sad
  8. Confused
  9. Slower
  10. Disagree

Participants' statuses can be viewed in their thumbnail on the main screen for 30 seconds or can be viewed from the Participants List.

 

Enabling Microphone and Camera Use in Web Browsers

If your webcam or microphone is blocked or disabled by your web browser, you will need to enable those tools in order to use Blackboard Collaborate. This guide will detail how to enable these tools in your web browser.

If you are using a computer that you do not have administrative rights to, you may need to check with whomever manages your computer to change the web browser settings.

 

Accessing Content Sharing Tools

This guide will outline how to access content sharing tools in Blackboard Collaborate, such as how to share files and blank whiteboards.

In order to share content, your instructor or session moderator will need to assign you to the presenter role.

Opening the Blackboard Collaborate Panel

Zoom:

To open the Collaborate Panel, click on the purple button in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Accessing Content Sharing Tools

To access the content sharing tools, click on the Share Content button in the Collaborate Panel (shown as a square with an arrow in it)

Using The Whiteboard

This guide will demonstrate how to share content using the Whiteboard tool in Blackv

In order to share content, your instructor or session moderator will need to assign you to the presenter role.

Accessing the Collaborate Panel

Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.Zoom: Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.

To access the Whiteboard, you will need to open the Collaborate Panel. To open the Collaborate Panel, click on the purple button in the bottom right corner.

Sharing Content Using the Whiteboard

Sharing Content Using the Whiteboard
  1. In the Collaborate Panel, click on the Share Content tab.
  2. Select Share Blank Whiteboard.

Whiteboard Screen and Tools

Image of a blank whiteboard showing the following tool descriptions.

This is the blank Whiteboard and the Whiteboard Tools are located in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. The Whiteboard Tools consist of:

  1. Selection Tool: Use the arrow to select an object on the Whiteboard. After you select it you can resize, move, and delete it.
  2. Pointer Tool: Use the hand to point to different areas of the visible Whiteboard. Participants see wherever you are pointing on the slide.
  3. Pencil Tool: Can be used to draw lines of any shape or length.
  4. Shapes Tool: Clicking on the Shapes Tool will reveal a drop-down menu allowing you to choose a Rectangle, Ellipse, or Line drawing tool.
  5. Text Tool: Allows you to type text anywhere on the Whiteboard.
  6. Clear Tool: Completely erases the contents of the Whiteboard.
  7. Color Picker: Displays a color palette allowing you to choose from 9 colors for Lines Shapes, and Text.

Tip: You can also decide if you want to give your participants the same tools in Session Settings.

Show View Controls

Image of the whiteboard view controls showing the following items: 1.View Controls: Click to alternately show or hide the tools palette.2.Zoom in: Make the content bigger. Move the content around to see everything.3.Zoom out: Decrease the size of everything on the Whiteboard to increase the drawing area.4.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.5.Actual size: Returns the Whiteboard to its original magnification or size.6.Stop Sharing: Click to exit the Whiteboard application and return to the Sharing Content window.

Here are the View Controls which allow you to zoom in and out of the drawing area:

  1. View Controls: Click to alternately show or hide the tools palette.
  2. Zoom in: Make the content bigger. Move the content around to see everything.
  3. Zoom out: Decrease the size of everything on the Whiteboard to increase the drawing area.
  4. 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.
  5. Actual size: Returns the Whiteboard to its original magnification or size.
  6. Stop Sharing: Click to exit the Whiteboard application and return to the Sharing Content window.

Sharing your Screen or Applications

This guide will demonstrate how to share your desktop or applications with other users during a Collaborate session.

In order to share content, your instructor or session moderator will need to assign you to the presenter role.

If you are using MacOS 10.15 Catalina or higher, and you are having difficulty with accessing desktop sharing, you may need to allow permissions for this in System Preferences>Privacy and Security. Click on the Privacy Tab and  locate Screen Sharing on the left. Check the checkbox to allow Google Chrome or Firefox to share your screen. More information about this issue can be found at this link. You may need to reload your Collaborate session for the change to take effect.

Image of the security and privacy window in MacOS with the Screen Recording section open.

Accessing the Collaborate Panel

Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.Zoom: Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.

To share an application or desktop, you will need to open the Collaborate Panel. To open the Collaborate Panel, click on the purple button in the bottom right corner.

Starting Application Sharing

image of the Collaborate panel showing the following items: 1.In the Collaborate Panel, click on the Share Content tab.2.Select Application Sharing from the menu.
  1. In the Collaborate Panel, click on the Share Content tab.
  2. Select Share Application/Screen from the menu.

Selecting Content to Share

Image of a dialog box asking if you want to share the entire screen or just an application

Blackboard will then ask you if you want to share your entire screen or a just an application. Click on the button that corresponds to your desired choice.

Installing the Desktop Sharing Extension

Image of a dialog box asking you to install the desktop sharing app

If you do not have the Desktop Sharing extension installed in your web browser, click the button to install it.

Confirm Installation of the Desktop Sharing Extension

Image of the confirm installation of the desktop sharing app

Your web browser will then ask you to confirm the installation of the extension. Click the Add Extension button to install the extension. After installing the Extension, go back to the Collaborate Panel, click on the Share Content button and choose the Share Application button.

Sharing a Full Desktop

Image of the share desktop dialog box with an arrow pointing to the share button

If you have more than one monitor, Blackboard will ask you which screen you wish to share, and then click the Share button to share your screen.

Sharing an Application or Window

image of the share application dialog box with an arrow pointing to the share button.

A dialog box showing thumbnails of all open applications will appear on screen. Select the application you wish to share and then click the Share button.

Conducting and Concluding and Application Sharing Session

Image of the collaborate window with an arrow pointing to the stop sharing button.Zoom: Image of the collaborate window with an arrow pointing to the stop sharing button.

Your shared application will now appear in the Collaborate window. Any action you perform in the application will be shown to participants. To end application sharing, click on the Stop Sharing button in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

 

Sharing Files

This guide will demonstrate how to share files to other users to present information. Users can share .ppt, .pptx., .pdf., and .jpg files.

Accessing the Collaborate Panel

Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.Zoom: Image of the Blackboard Collaborate interface with an arrow pointing to the Collaborate Panel button.

To share files, you will need to open the Collaborate Panel. To open the Collaborate Panel, click on the purple button in the bottom right corner.

Sharing Content Using the Whiteboard

Sharing Content Using the Whiteboard
  1. In the Collaborate Panel, click on the Share Content tab.
  2. Select Share Files.

Uploading Files for Sharing

Image of the Share Files screen with an arrow pointing to the Add Files Here box

To upload a file to share, click on the box that says Add Files Here and select the desired file, or drag and drop the desired file into the box.

File Processing

File Processing

Once your selected file has been uploaded, it needs to be "processed." During the processing, the file or presentation is converted to a Whiteboard that can then be shared and marked up (annotated) if desired. Each image file, each slide in a PowerPoint file, or each page in a PDF is converted to a separate Whiteboard. This means that for PowerPoint files, all slides containing animations or slide builds are converted to static images when placed in a Whiteboard (see tip below).

Please note: Even after the file has uploaded, it may take a few seconds to several minutes or more for Collaborate Ultra to process your file--during this "processing" time, you will see a rotating ring next to the file name as shown below.

Tip: If your slide presentation has builds or animations, you might want to choose Share Application rather than Share Files. Choose Entire Screen or make sure your presentation is in Present mode before sharing it as an application.

Deleting a Shared File

Deleting a Shared File

Note: If you change your mind and need to delete one of the shared files, click on the "trash can" icon just to the left of the file name.

Share Now

Share Now

Once files that you've added have been uploaded and processed, they will be listed in the area just below the Add Files Here box. You are now ready to start sharing the selected files with your participants. To make the files available during a session:

  1. First select the file you wish to share (the selected file will be highlighted).
  2. Then click the Share Now button at the bottom of the Share Files window.

Sharing a PowerPoint Presentation

Sharing a PowerPoint Presentation

After clicking the Share Now button, you are taken back to your Collaborate Ultra session and the file you have chosen to share (in this case a PowerPoint presentation) is displayed in a page/slide navigation pane on the left side. You can now select a particular slide that you want to share--if you wish to show the entire PowerPoint presentation from the beginning, you would simply select the first slide and it would be displayed in your session as shown below.

Presenting Your Slides

Presenting Your Slides

Your PowerPoint presentation now appears on a Whiteboard along with all the Whiteboard Tools so that you can mark up the slides as you are giving your presentation if you wish. To advance the slide presentation or to go back to a previous slide, just click the "<" or ">"  slide controls. You can also re-open or close the slide navigator panel by clicking on the PowerPoint Presentation name. When you are finished sharing, click the Stop Sharing button in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Note: For a full description of the Whiteboard Tools, see the Share Whiteboard guide.

Tip: With your keyboard, press Alt + Page Up/Down to move forward or backward through you slides. On a Mac, press Alt + Fn + Up/Down Arrow.

Tip: You can decide if you want to give your participants the ability to use these same Whiteboard Tools during the presentation in the Session Settings.

 

Student Information

Faculty Information

  • Getting Started
  • Interface and Settings
  • Presenting Content
  • Breakout Groups

Best Practices