Introduction
These support pages are to help you use the various features that Blackboard Collaborate has to offer.
Blackboard have extensive detailed help pages that can be found on their Blackboard Collaborate Ultra pages.
Starting a Blackboard Collaborate Session
This guide takes you through what happens when you join a session for the first time and how to change the settings.
Using the whiteboard
Moderators and presenters may open a whiteboard and draw on it during a session. They may also use the drawing tools to draw over a presentation or other shared file. This guide shows how.
Taking part in Breakout Groups
During a Blackboard Collaborate session, moderators may assign you into a breakout group. This allows you to do some short discussion as part of this group before rejoining the main group to share your ideas or answers.
Raise your hand
You can raise your virtual hand to answer a question or get the presenters attention.
How to enable automated captions
Watch this video to find out how to enable automated captions in Chrome for Collaborate.
Dialing into a Blackboard Collaborate Session using a phone line
There may be times when you can’t use a computer or mobile device but you want to join a Collaborate session. You can dial into a session with any phone.
Important: It will cost you to do this, so please check with the person who pays the bill before you pick up the phone.
The Collaborate User Interface
When you start a Collaborate session for the first time you will get an optional tutorial. Should you need a reminder this guide covers the basics of the Blackboard Collaborate User Interface.
Using a virtual background with Blackboard Collaborate
Find out how to make a virtual Background like MS Teams, the following guide has a how to video along with a number of backgrounds are ready for you.
Using chat
A simple way to be able to communicate with the presenter and other participants in a session.
Answering poll questions
During a Blackboard Collaborate session you may be asked to complete a poll. This may be for example, making a choice, indicating an opinion, or confirming knowledge.
Status and feedback
During a Blackboard Collaborate session participants may share their sentiment about the session such as agreeing or asking the presenter to slow down for example.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have collated the questions most frequently asked by UoS colleagues about Blackboard Collaborate and have compiled this useful list.
If you already have a question or technical issue, you may find the answer here.