Engaging online learners through synchronous communication:

Advanced features of Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Classroom/Office

Nick Baker, Nobuko Fujita Office of Open Learning

Werner Keller Odette School of Business

Simon duToit Outstanding Scholars

VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

What is Blackboard Collaborate?

• Virtual classroom• Web conferencing system• Online collaboration suite• “Super Skype”

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Why use it?• Synchronous, interactive online education

– Deeper learning– Develop professional skills– Increased flexibility (students & faculty) e.g. Snow

days• Support distance students (meetings)• Recording classes (online and on campus)• Blended classes• Virtual office hours• Group meetings/collaboration (students,

research)4

Key features• Whiteboard (presentations, images, drawing etc.)• Application/desktop sharing• Web tours• Polls and quizzes• Mobile apps• Works on poor internet connections• Dial-in if no internet connection• Hosted off campus

– Data stored in Canada (Calgary)• Very stable

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Engaging online students• Enables real-time student-teacher & student-student

interaction– Breakout rooms facilitate inquiry/problem/ case-based

learning & teaching– Enables students to collaborate on projects when they can’t

physically get together

• Online assessment (formative & summative)– Remote students can deliver class presentations / posters– Oral exams– Mock interviews– Record group collaboration sessions to see process as well

as product– Peer feedback

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Online and on campus

• Record lectures for student review– Pre-record & use class time for active learning– Stream live lectures in class (and record them)– Can be used to deliver lectures to small or large

classes

• Increases flexibility– Students/faculty can use it wherever they have

internet access– Inclement weather– Reduce travel or run classes while travelling

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Other uses• Desktop web conferencing• Facilitating webinars/ guest speakers/ community

events• MOOCs• Research/professional group meetings• Outreach• Recruitment• Cost savings (e.g. Reducing travel)• Extends capabilities of CLEW/Bb Learn for real-

time collaboration (does not replace the LMS)

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Let’s try it out!

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http://bit.do/CTD15

Start the meeting• May need to download the Collaborate Launcher (should

automatically start)• Your computer will download a ‘meeting.collab’ file• May need to accept download if a security box comes up• Should autorun but may need to press ‘OK’ or ‘Run’

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Loading...• Takes a while to load...be patient (don’t try

to load more than once!)

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Select your internet speed• In class or on wireless router select “Wireless 300k” from

dropdown and press OK. If on a slower connection, choose ISDN or Dialup option.

• Will take a few mins to load

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Should see this - PC/Mac

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Should see this - iOS/Android

Video/audio• Has Audio and Video capabilities (up to 6 people at

once, main image switches to camera of whoever is speaking)

• Press Talk for audio; default is to leave sound off• Can also dial in if no internet (Calgary number)

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Video/audio• Run Audio Setup Wizard each time you change

something e.g. Location, computer, connection• Run it if you can’t hear speaker or sounds

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Whiteboard panel: where the action is!

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Access through CLEW: Go to Virtual Classroom

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Access through Bb Learn: Go to Virtual Classroom

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Create a Virtual Classroom Session

View Available Sessions

Click on name of session

• More to come

Join as Moderator of a Session

Loading…

Audio/Video

Press “Video” to

turn on video

Press “Talk” to turn on mic/audio

Audio/video check

Check audio is working

Check video is working

Load your slides

Advanceand navigatethrough slides

Record your session

How students access recordings

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Breakout Rooms

Enter breakout room name

Return students to Main Room when done

Application/Screen Sharing

Click on icon to launch screen sharing, or…

Tools>Application Sharing>Start Sharing…

Select the application that you want to share

Stop sharing when you’re done!

Drawing/Annotating

Click on pen (3rd from top) to draw

Click to insert New Page

Polling and Quizzing

Question: Have you used Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Classroom before?

Blackboard Collaborate Plan 2.1.1 lets you prepare the content (slides, music, video, images, quizzes etc.) of a virtual classroom session ahead of time.

During a session, selecting a session plan item runs an action in Blackboard Collaborate

Lesson Planning

Plan 2.1.1

• Download available for Windows/Mac http://goo.gl/KLbVv1

• Sample session plans http://goo.gl/RxwXHh

Click on File > Open>Session Plan

Lesson Planning

Plan your virtual classroom session ahead of time

Example use: 75-397 Law & Business Administration

Student2 on mobile

Student4 on tablet

Example: UWill Discover! URC MOOC

SUMMARY…

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Summary• Bb Collaborate has many uses

– Online classes– Blended classes– Collaboration/meetings– Community events– Conferences/Webinars– Guest speakers

• Advanced features increase engagement, collaboration, and learning

• Replicate many of the features of a face to face classroom

ContactNick Baker

Director, Office of Open LearningErie Hall, Rm 1111email: nbaker@uwindsor.caext. 4925

Nobuko FujitaOnline Learning Specialist, Office of Open LearningErie Hall, Rm 1110email: nfujita@uwindsor.caext. 2105

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Connect with us• In person…

– Erie Hall 1110-1112• Phone…

– Ext 2008• On the web:

– Office of Open Learning Official Website : www.uwindsor.ca/openlearning

– Open Learning Windsor Blog: http://ctl2.uwindsor.ca/openlearning/

• Social media:– Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/UWindsor.OfficeOfOpenLearning– Twitter: @UWinOpenLearn