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Introduction to Blackboard Collaborate

Blackboard CollaborateÌýis a virtual classroom/meeting tool which comprises audio, video, interactive whiteboard, PowerPoint display, application sharing, polling, breakout rooms and session recording. It can be used for an interactive online seminar or virtual classroom.

Collaborate can be used by staff and students. It can be used for one-to-one meetings, tutorial space, student discussions or an informal chat, contact helpdesk@qmu.ac.uk to ask more about setting up sessions.

Collaborate Ultra is also integratedÌýwith the Hub meaning tutors can set up sessions and restrict access to authenticated users enrolled within a Hub area, providing the ability to verify the identity of a participant. External guests can also be invited to Collaborate sessions within the Hub.

What is Collaborate?

Collaborate is a virtual classroom/meeting tool. It can be used for online teaching, online seminars, virtual office hours, one-to-one meetings, tutorial space, student discussions or informal chat. It is integrated with the Hub but can also be used without the Hub.

• How do I access recordings in Collaborate.docx (download a word doc)

Accessing Collaborate:

To join a Collaborate session you will need:

• Internet Access (broadband connection highly recommended)
• For the best experience, use Google Chrome or Firefox : 
• Soundcard with microphone and headphones (A headset with microphone/headphones is highly recommended)
• Webcam (optional)

You can check that you are able to access sessions using 

Etiquette

As a Participant in a session you should prepare by reading

Netiquette is etiquette for the Internet: guidelines and good practices for online communication in emails, discussion forums, and chat rooms. Please adhere to the following guidelines when posting comments in your online courses:

• Format your text so it is easy to read. Try to use standard paragraph spacing, indentation, and legible font. Try to be consistent with your formatting, including font size, colour, etc.
• Be concise and to the point in your communication.
• AVOID THE USE OF ALL CAPS as this may be interpreted as shouting. All lowercase letters also make the text more difficult to read. Use standard punctuation. Remember what your teacher taught you in primary school about good punctuation and spelling.
• Avoid 'texting' abbreviations such as OMG.
• Avoid using humour and sarcasm, as they are often difficult to detect in written communication. It is okay to sparingly use emoticons to communicate subtleties or emotions that are more obvious in spoken communication.
• Flaming (posting a rant about someone or some topic) is prohibited in our courses. Practice civil discussion.
• Respect the privacy of communication within a course. Do not forward the comments of classmates to others outside of the course or publish them on social media.
• Stay on topic in a discussion.
• Respect the fact that participants have varying degrees of sensitivity, and that even some well-meaning constructive suggestions (e.g., comments about broken links, typos, misspellings) may be misconstrued as public criticism. Therefore, please refrain from sharing comments in ways that might be misinterpreted, or do so privately when appropriate.

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Preparation Checklist

You should carry out some checks one week before you are due to run or attend a session. You can check that you can get into a Collaborate Ultra Test Session and check your camera and microphone is set up correctly. You can also work through the short online tutorial to get familiar with the layout.Ìý

To carry out these checks use theÌý

Troubleshooting

• Ìýand connection
• Test theÌý(you will not be able to hear voice playback but will see a purple bar move up and down)

When you sendÌýinvites toÌýsession attendees you should include instructions for them to check they can access and participate a session usingÌýtheÌý.

Collaborate Attendee ChecklistÌý

Ìý

To join a Collaborate session you will need the following

• Internet Access (broadband connection highly recommended)
• Soundcard with microphone and headphones (A headset with microphone/headphones is highly recommended)
• Webcam (optional)
• For the best experience,ÌýuseÌýGoogle Chrome.ÌýPlease note Internet Explorer 11 is not supported andÌýother browsers may have limited functionality.Ìý CheckÌýÌýfor Collaborate configurations in different browsers.

Check you are set up correctly be accessing theÌýÌý

In the module access the Collaborate tool link. This is likely to be called Virtual Classroom.

Click on the burger menu in the top left of the Black Session bar

You will now see a panel with Sessions and Recordings, Click on Recordings.

You will now see a list of your recent recordings.Ìý

If the recording is not listed then you may need to adjust the date range.

Under Recent Recordings use the drop down to select Recordings in a Range.

Use the calendar to pick a date in the past when you made the recording.

Blackboard Help

Blackboard Help :

Getting started in Collaborate :

Getting started in Collaborate :

If you require further assistance using Collaborate, please contact helpdesk@qmu.ac.uk

Switch to ChromeÌý

Do not access Collaborate through Horizon Remote Access. Only a chrome browser is required.

For the best experience you should use the latest version ofÌýif you are not using this already please re-join the session from the original join link using this browser.

Configure Audio and Video in Chrome

You must give the browser permission to use audio and video to participate in a session.Ìý

Blackboard have provided some instructions onÌý.Ìý

Chrome uses the computer's default speakers. Check that the correct speakers are selected for your OS.ÌýIf you are using headphones then they will show up in the list.

On a Mac go to Apple > System Preferences > Sound. Windows go to Control Panel > Sound or search for Sound and select Sound from the Control Panel in the search menu.

I get a continual purple spinning circle when trying to access a session

Collaborate Ultra requires cookies in order to work properly. Check your browser settings to ensure that your browser is set to allow third party cookies.

Clear Browser Cache

Try clearing browser cache and restarting a session. Learn how to clear browser cache.

Attending a sessionÌý

Do NotÌýuse the Horizon VMWare remote access to open Chrome

Open a Chrome browser andÌýclick on the linkÌýbelow to attend the session

Test Room - Test your computer audio and video work using the .