Video - Blackboard Collaborate Introduction

Blackboard Collaborate provides a real-time communication tool for video conference. You can virtually see and talk with your professor and fellow students during a scheduled time period. This type of conversation is also called "synchronized" communication, meaning people from different locations can log on at the same time to conduct a "virtual conversation". Many Live Remote Online Class (LRON) classes use Blackboard Collaborate to host class meetings. Some professors also use Blackboard Collaborate to host office hours or one-on-one meetings with students. Blackboard Collaborate functions well using Google Chrome browser. Using other browsers on Collaborate may result in errors.

In MxCC courses, you access Blackboard Collaborate by clicking on Virtual Classroom on the Course Menu.

1. Click on the Course Room link and click on Join Course Room.  (The phone# and the PIN can be used to call in to the meeting with your phone if your computer has audio problem. Using a phone to call in to a course meeting only allows you to hear your professor.  We recommend that students use a desktop or a laptop to Join Course Room so that students can hear and see the professor and the notes professor presents.)

2. When you see a prompt "us.bbcollab.com wants to use your microphone", click on Allow. This is to allow Collaborate to access your microphone. Test your microphone and click on Yes, Audio is Working.

3. When you see a prompt "us.bbcollab.com wants to use your camera", click on Allow. This is to allow Collaborate to access your camera. Test your microphone and click on Yes, Video is Working.

4. You may go through a tutorial to learn Collaborate. Or click on Later to pass the tutorial page.

5. Click on Close under Tell me about Collaborate.

6. Now you have entered the Collaborate course room. In default, the microphone and video are turned off. Click on the video icon to show your video and click on the microphone icon to unmute yourself to allow others to hear your talk.

7. There are two ways to leave the course room:

(1) Click on Open Session Menu at upper left corner and select Leave Session.

(2) Click on My Status and Setting icon at the bottom of the screen and select Leave Session.

Video - How to Use Blackboard Collaborate 
 This tutorial shows you how to operate Blackboard Collaborate in the course conference room. 

1. Once you have entered the Collaborate course room, in default, the microphone and video are turned off.
2.  To show your video, click on the video icon and now you have a chance to review your video. When you are ready to show your video to others, click on Share Video.
3. To speak, click on the microphone icon to unmute yourself to allow others to hear you.  When you are done with speaking, mute yourself by clicking on the mute icon again.
4. When you have a question to your instructor, you may raise your hand by clicking on Raise Your Hand icon. To not disturb your instructor, make sure to lower your hand by clicking on the Raise Your Hand icon when your questions have been answered.
5. In the My Status and Settings, you may choose an expression icon such as Happy or Agree to give your response to the instructor. Your expression icon will display for a minute.
6. To post a chat message, open the Collaborate panel. 
   • If you wish to chat with the entire class, click on Everyone, type a message in the Chat box and click on Send (or Enter key).
   • If you wish to chat with a student or your professor privately, click on the Attendee icon. Click on the Attendee Control next to the person's name and select Send a Chat Message. Type your message and click on Send (or Enter key).
7. When your class is ended, there are two ways to leave the course room:
   • Click on Open Session Menu at upper left corner and select Leave Session.
   • Click on My Status and Setting icon at the bottom of the screen and select Leave Session.