Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is a web conferencing system connecting staff, students and external guests. Sessions are accessible through a web browser with no need for additional software. It's simple to use – once set up, a Collaborate Room can be accessed via a Blackboard course or a weblink.
The DEO recommends using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra for teaching and learning because it is integrated into Blackboard, easy to access for students and staff within their courses, and has tools specifically developed for educational purposes. We offer guidance and support on using Collaborate for learning.
While other tools, like Zoom, could in theory be used for teaching, they don't have the benefits above and are not supported by DEO. Please keep this in mind when deciding which tool you will use in your online teaching. See IT Services guide to video conferencing for further Zoom information and support.
This video from Blackboard Inc introduces the Collaborate Ultra tool.
For most Collaborate sessions students will be a participant. Usually it’s as simple as clicking a link and joining the session. The Collaborate Ultra Help for Participants page will help a participant get started. There is also a Student Practice Space in Blackboard, where students can have a go with some of the Blackboard tools, including a Collaborate classroom. Anyone can self-enrol on the Practice Space: Follow the link, then choose ‘click here to self enrol’, then look for the option to ‘enrol’ from the course menu. Then click ‘submit’.
If accessing as a participant, we recommend:
The Collaborate Ultra Help for Moderators page has guides to help you give the best experience through Collaborate. Note that where variations in advice for different systems are displayed, staff need to follow guidance for Blackboard Learn.
If running a Collaborate session we recommend:
We have converted our Synchronous Online Teaching with Blackboard Collaborate workshop into an online resource. It is an excellent way to understand the tool, consider when it should be used and to understand Best Practice.
This interactive video demonstrates how to set up a Collaborate room, how to create sessions, and basic techniques like sharing a screen with participants.
Blackboard also provide excellent guidance for getting started with Collaborate.