Blackboard Collaborate - TIPS - Preventing Tunnel Vision

Using Blackboard Collaborate!

One of the tools inside Blackboard Collaborate is called Share Application. Share Application allows you to do just that.  Share with those in your Collaborate session (or those that view it later if you record it) what application you have open.  It could be Google Drive, a Word document, a website, etc.  This can be very helpful for demonstration purposes, tutoring, doing a walk though, or working collaboratively on a project.

Often when we work on the computer it is common to multi-task by having a number of windows or tabs open.  In Collaborate doing a Share Application creates what is known as "tunnel vision" (demonstrated in the video).  This is not really what you want your group to see, so there is a work around that is effective.





This short video tutorial shows you what the "tunnel vision" looks like and what you can do so it doesn't happen to you!

Blackboard Collaborate - July 16, 2016 Update!

Blackboard Collaborate is a built-in web conferencing tool.  You can launch live video sessions, invite guests, and record and archive the entire session!

This is the second Blackboard Collaborate video - make sure you watch the first one, as this just contains the updates as of July 16, 2016.





This update contains built-in polling and a new User Interface.  BB Collaborate has a monthly update that contains either improved performance or enhanced capabilities. 

If you regularly use this tool you will want to check back for period update tutorials.

Blackboard Collaborate: web conferencing tool built into Blackboard!

Have you ever participated in a web conference using tools like WebEx, GoToMeeting, or Skype Video Call? These are third-party web conferencing providers.  Some have a cost for an account, others are free.  Some have software to access, others have downloads, and still others have Java runtime files that need to be used.

Blackboard has a building block called Blackboard Collaborate built right into the LMS, so there is no downloads, no separate login credentials, and no extra configuration of your machine to use the tool.






Like those other web conferencing tools, you have a participants list, a chat window, can share screens and applications, and can change the moderator responsibilities to others.  

Some of the applications for this tool are:

- Tutoring
- Peer reviews
- Demonstrations
- Example walkthroughs
- Guest speaker access
- Virtual field trips
- Appeals to different learning styles
- Can be live session
- Can be recorded/archived
- Can have multiple moderators
- Mini lectures
- Flipped classroom
- Blended learning
- Absences/"snow days" 

This tutorial will get you started with the basics of holding either a live session or recording a a session and posting it in your class.  More to come on this tool as it rolls out and new functionality gets added!

Students can access recorded Collaborate sessions, as well as participate in live sessions, using a mobile device like a tablet or smartphone.   

To participate in a live session, students need to get the free Blackboard Collaborate app.  Once this is done, the instructor has to provide the URL to the Collaborate session in order for students to join.