Participant Essentials Guide

Learning Innovation Unit

Author: Leone Gately

Date: July 2013

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to

Blackboard Collaborate

Scan QR Code to Download

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Leone Gately; Learning Innovation Unit, Dublin City University

Date Updated: July 2013

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

2

Table Of Contents

1.0 ABOUT THIS GUIDE 3

1.1 PARTICIPATION/SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 3

1.2 ACCESS TO VIRTUAL CLASSROOM VIA MOODLE 4

1.3 MOBILE ACCESS 5

1.4 TECHNICAL/ACCESS ISSUES 6

2.0 ESSENTIAL PARTICIPANT FEATURES 7

2.1 CONFIGURE AUDIO 7

2.2 TRANSMIT AUDIO (TALKING) 7

2.3 USING THE TEXT CHAT TO COMMUNICATE (TEXT CHATTING) 8

2.4 PARTICIPANT INTERACTION FEATURES 8

2.5 TRANSMIT VIDEO (USING THE WEBCAM) 10

2.6 FURTHER INFORMATION 11

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

3

1.0 About this Guide

Blackboard Collaborate is the virtual classroom (or web conferencing) tool available in DCU which enables voice, video and text interaction between students and lecturers. This guide outlines how to access a Blackboard Collaborate session and overviews the essential features required as a student to participate in a virtual session. Blackboard Collaborate is a web based java application running from a hosted service so it does not require you to install any software on your own computer. It is advised that you read this guide and take the necessary steps before participating in your first online session.

1.1 Participation/System Requirements:

In order to access the Blackboard Collaborate virtual classroom the following are required: a desktop/laptop with a reliable Internet connection, web browser software (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Chrome) and a headset (ear phones and microphone - so you can hear and speak although you may use built-in speakers/mic depending on quality). A webcam is not necessary to participate but it is recommended.

First time users can check their system is setup properly via the Blackboard Collaborate Support Portal/First Time Users/Blackboard Collaborate Web Conferencing

A complete overview of the system requirements is also available via the following link: http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8336&task=knowledge&questionID=2890

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

4

1.2 Access the Virtual Classroom via Moodle

1. Login to http://moodle.dcu.ie/ 2. Go to your moodle courses and the appropriate module 3. Navigate to the blackboard collaborate virtual classroom it will be indicated by

the icon below (or your lecturer will advise where within your moodle course this classroom will be located), enter the classroom by clicking the link

4. Once you click on the link you will be taken to a screen similar to the below, select Join Session as indicated. The Blackboard Collaborate screen will launch and you will be required to save/open (depending on which web browser you are using) a java file (extension .jnlp), the Blackboard Collaborate classroom will then open**

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

5

** Note: The virtual classroom may take up to 3 minutes to launch. First time users should try entering the classroom well in advance of the session start time to ensure you can gain access.

1.3 Mobile Access

The Blackboard Collaborate Mobile Apps for Android and iOS devices enable participants to access and participate** in virtual classroom sessions via mobile devices i.e. phones and tablets.

Image source: http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Collaborate/Products/Blackboard-Collaborate/Mobile-Collaboration.aspx

1. Download the appropriate mobile app for your device/phone:

• Blackboard Collaborate Mobile: Android App on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bbcollaborate.collaborate

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

6

• Blackboard Collaborate Mobile: iOs iPad & iPhone https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blackboard-collaborate-mobile/id546742528?mt=8

2. You will be asked to enter your name and the session URL, you will find the session URL via your moodle course as indicated below:

** Note: Mobile users only have access to a subset of the functions in Blackboard Collaborate, including the following:

• Viewing the Whiteboard. • Viewing another user's shared application. • Accessing breakout rooms. • Sending and receiving chat messages with the entire room. • Listening to other speakers and speaking to the room. • Responding to polls

1.4 Technical/Access Issues

Should you have access or technical problems you should in the first instance alert your lecturer/tutor who maybe in a position to advise you further. Alternatively, you can seek support directly from Blackboard Collaborate who provide 24/7 Online Technical Support at: http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8336&task=knowledge&questionID=1

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

7

2.0 Essential Participant Features

In this section, you are provided with an overview of the five essential features of the virtual classroom that you will need to be familiar with in order to participate in a Blackboard Collaborate virtual session. It is important that once you have entered the virtual classroom and before the session starts that you familiarise yourself with the following:

2.1. Configure Audio

Configure your audio to ensure you can hear and speak via your headset/microphone (or build in mic and speakers). Select the audio setup wizard by clicking on the icon as indicated below or by selecting: Tools > Audio > Audio Setup Wizard and follow the steps as directed by the wizard.

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

8

2.2 Transmit Audio (Talking)

Press the Talk button, indicated by the red arrow below to transmit audio. When the microphone is active a blue icon will appear indicating you are transmitting sound while a microphone icon will also appear beside your name, indicated by the red circle in the diagram below. To stop transmitting audio re-click on the talk button.

2.3 Using Text Chat to Communicate (Text Chatting) In the bottom left-hand corner of the Blackboard Collaborate room you will see the chat box. As participants you will be given permission by your lecturer to chat. As indicated below type text into the box and press return, your message will then be visible to everyone in the room i.e. all other participants and the moderator/lecturer.

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

9

2.4 Participant Interaction Features

Emoticons - Icons that can be used online to indicate expression or emotion e.g.

Students and moderators have a range of emoticons to choose from. These are available from a drop down menu that appears when you click on the happy face icon indicated by the red arrow below. If a participant chooses an emoticon, i.e. thumbs up indicating approval it will appear underneath their name in the participant box. Below such an example is shown for student Jenny Bloggs.

Away Icon – This icon should be used by participants as a matter of courtesy to others if they need to step away from their computer or become available during the session. Once the away button is clicked the word ‘away’ appears under the participant’s name. On returning to the session the participant can click on the icon again to remove the away sign.

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

10

Raise / lower hands (virtual hand)

Participants can raise their virtual hand to indicate they have a question. To raise your hand you click on the hand icon indicated by the arrow in the diagram below. To lower your hand, you can re-click the hand icon.

Polling - Yes/No and Multiple Choice Questions

Participants can answer yes or no questions, agree/disagree, understand /don’t understand. If enabled by the moderator, participants may also respond to multiple choice questions by using this icon (as indicated in the diagrams below).

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

11

2.5 Transmit Video (Using the Webcam)

• 1. Preview Video: Before transmitting video, click the preview video icon to check your video image. The preview icon is indicated in the red square in the diagram below.

• 2. Transmit Video - Once you are satisfied with your video image click the video button to transmit. The active video button is indicated in the below in the diagram.

1. Preview Video 2. Transmit Video

2.6 Further Information:

Blackboard Collaborate provides further reading and additional guides for participants via http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Collaborate/Services/On-

Participant Essentials: DCU Student Guide to Blackboard Collaborate DCU

12

Demand-Learning-Center/Web-Conferencing.aspx On-Demand Web which may be useful to review:

• Participant Orientation (recording)

• Getting Started for Participants (PDF)

• Essentials for Participants (HTML)

• Participant's Guide (HTML)

• Accessibility Guide (HTML | PDF)

• Using Telephony for Participants (PDF)

• Getting Started with Mobile (Android) Web Conferencing for Participants (PDF)

• Getting Started with Mobile (iOS) Web Conferencing for Participants (PDF)

• Mobile for iOS User's Guide (HTML for desktop | HTML for mobile device)

• Mobile for Android User's Guide (PDF) (HTML for mobile device)