All Blackboard courses have a link to Blackboard Collaborate as part of the initial course template. In Blackboard Collaborate, you have both a dedicated Course Room and the ability to schedule as many new sessions as you want.

How To's for Blackboard Collaborate

How To Create a Blackboard Collaborate session:

1. Click the Blackboard Collaborate link on the Course Menu.
2. Click the Create a Session button.
3. Add the Session Details.
4. Select the Session Settings you want to have preset for the session.
5. Set up Attendance Reporting (optional).
6. Click Save.

How To open a Blackboard Collaborate session:

1. Click the Blackboard Collaborate link on the Course Menu.
2. Click the Course Room or the link for the session you created.
3. Click the Join button.

If the Collaborate link is missing from your Course Menu, you can add it by following these steps:

1. Click the + sign at the top left of the Course Menu.
2. Select Tool Link.
3. Type Blackboard Collaborate in the box and Select Blackboard Collaborate from the drop down list of Tools.
4. Check the box to make it available to users.
5. Click Submit.

Helpful Links

• How to access recordings
• Click here to read more about Blackboard Collaborate
• How to utilize Attendance Reporting

While Collaborate supports all browsers, Chrome or Firefox gives you the best experience.

For the best Blackboard Collaborate experience with your screen reader use Firefox® and Jaws on a Windows® system. On a Mac® use Safari® and VoiceOver.

• More on browser support
• More on accessibility in Collaborate
• Collaborate, Chrome and 3rd Party Cookies

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'll be asked to do this when you first join a session or when you first go to share your audio or video.

1. Open the Collaborate panel and select My Settings.
2. Select Set Up your Camera and Microphone.
3. Choose the microphone you want to use. Collaborate tells you that you sound great when it is receiving your audio. Select Yes, it's working to proceed.
4. Choose the camera you want to use. Collaborate tells you that you look great when it is receiving your video. Select Yes, it's working to proceed.

More on using your audio and video

By default, the video is turned off and audio is muted after you complete the setup. Select the microphone and video camera icons any time during a session to turn them on or off.

You can adjust your speaker and microphone volume any time in My Settings.

Having a social presence can be critical to a successful online learning experience. Something simple as adding a profile image can make learners more comfortable with participating online.

1. Open the Collaborate panel and select My Settings.
2. Point to the avatar and select it.
3. Upload any image or use your device camera to take a photo. You can choose to use this profile picture for every session.
4. Adjust the image area.
5. Select I Like it!

Following these steps may improve the performance.

• Ensure you are connecting from a strong and reliable wifi or wired network.
• There are no set hardware system requirements for Collaborate Ultra. Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome is recommended. In general, if the system can run Firefox or Chrome, then Collaborate Ultra is supported.
• Since Collaborate Ultra is run inside of the web browser, it is recommended to keep the number of web browser tabs to a minimum in order to maximize available system memory. 
• USB connected webcams do not work as well while integrated video will provide a better overall experience.
• Disable webcams unless needed for instruction. Presenters and participants need not use their webcam to share video. Moderators can disable participants' webcams.
• For PowerPoint presentations: Presenters can use the File Share option, over Application Sharing, to improve session performance for participants with low bandwidth.

(Note: A participant may not be able to control some of the administrative or moderator functions in a Collaborate Ultra session)