Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
Training and Performance Tips
ITS created an emergency instruction video for instructors using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra during the Spring 2020 semester. It also hosted live instructor training events; this recording is from the session hosted on Tuesday, March 17th.
The performance tips found here are helpful to maximize Collaborate Ultra stability. The page also indicates features that have been temporarily disabled by the vendor to increase system reliability during the emergency shift to online instruction.
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is a real-time video conferencing tool that lets you add files, share applications, and use a virtual whiteboard to interact. Collaborate with the Ultra experience opens right in your browser, so you don't have to install any software to join a session.
Blackboard Collaborate is a real-time video conferencing tool that includes these features and more:
- Add files
- Share applications
- Virtual whiteboard
- Chat
- Polling
- Breakout groups
Google Chrome is the best browser to use Collaborate Ultra with Firefox a close second. Safari and Edge are supported to a lesser degree. Â
Navigating Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
- Blackboard Collaborate Ultra - Instructors and Leaders
- Blackboard Collaborate Ultra - Students and Participants
- Chat Capabilities in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
- Collaborate Ultra: How to Avoid the Tunnel Effect
- Editing Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Settings
- Helpful Tips for Sessions in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
- Managing Settings in a Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Session
- Participants in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
- Recording Sessions
- Share Content
- Suggested Hardware/Software for Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
- Training Sessions for Academic Continuity
Tips
Preparation
Pre-flight Checklist (PDF)
Moderator Set-up information and Session Settings GuidanceÂ
Participant Set-up information
Interface Tour (Video)
Browser
Collaborate Ultra requires a fully-updated, modern web browser with WebRTC support such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
Collaborate requires permission to access your camera and microphone so you can use audio and video. Allow Collaborate permission when asked, and/or set up permissions in browser preferences. Additional setup information is available from the vendor.Â
Breakout Groups Tips
- Breakout groups require you to use the latest version of the Chrome™ browser or Firefox™ WebRTC
- NOTE: If you go into a breakout session while recording the main web conference, the recording will stop. When you come back from the breakout session, you have to restart the recording to capture the rest of the web conference.