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1 Collaboration Tools Collaboration Tools About Collaboration Sessions About Collaboration Tools Chat Virtual Classroom Creating and Editing Collaboration Sessions Recording Sessions Powered by 1

2 Collaboration Tools Collaboration tools allow users to participate in real-time lessons and discussions. Examples of these sessions include real-time, online classroom discussions, guest speaker led sessions, teaching assistant sessions, and live question-and-answer sessions. You can make recordings of sessions and make them available for review. In this section... About Collaboration Sessions About Collaboration Tools Chat Virtual Classroom Creating and Editing Collaboration Sessions Recording Sessions Collaboration_Tools Powered by 2

3 About Collaboration Sessions Collaboration sessions are real-time lessons and discussions. Two primary collaboration tools are available: Chat: Chat is an exchange of text messages online. Virtual classroom: Virtual classroom is a shared online environment where users can view links, share desktops, exchange files, and chat. You can save and record both types of collaboration for future review. Use the Collaboration Session page to manage the collaboration tools available in Blackboard Learn. From this page, you can access all of the collaboration sessions for the course, including those that have already taken place and are recorded and those that are scheduled for the future. You can also schedule new collaboration sessions and make changes to those already scheduled from this page. Default Collaboration Sessions Each course and organization begins with two default collaboration sessions. The Lecture Hall is the default virtual classroom, and Office Hours is the default chat room. You can delete or rename these default sessions. Deleting a session cannot be undone. Using Collaboration Session Functions The following functions are available from the Collaboration Sessions page: To Create a new collaboration session Filter the sessions listed on the page Select Create Collaboration Session. The Create Collaboration Session page appears. To learn more, see Creating and Editing Collaboration Sessions. The arrow next to the drop-down list and select the type of session to display. Click Filter. The filters include: Show All: The default filter that displays all of the collaboration sessions. Available Sessions: Displays all of the sessions that are currently being used. Sessions with Recordings: Displays completed sessions that have a recording. Future Sessions: Displays sessions that are scheduled to take place in the future. Search for a session The Session Name, Start Date or End Date option and then enter a value in the field. Click Search. Collaboration_Tools Powered by 3

4 To Enter a session Access the recordings for a session Change the name, availability, or tools used during the session Delete a session Select Join from the contextual menu for the session. The virtual classroom or chat for that session opens. To learn more, see Virtual Classroom and Chat. Recordings next to the session. The Session Recordings page appears. To learn more, see Recording Sessions. Edit from the contextual menu for the session. The Edit Session Recordings page appears. Delete from the contextual menu for the session. This action cannot be undone. Collaboration_Tools/010_About_Collaboration_Sessions Powered by 4

5 About Collaboration Tools Collaboration tools allow users to participate in real-time lessons and discussions. Examples of these sessions include real-time, online classroom discussions, guest speaker led sessions, teaching assistant sessions, and live question-and-answer sessions. You can create recordings of sessions and make them available for review. Installing the Required Java Plug-in The Java 2 Run Time Environment is required to use the Blackboard Learn collaboration tools. The plugin may be downloaded from the page that appears when a user joins a collaboration session, or may be found at Take care to uninstall any existing Java plug-ins before installing a new version. Accessing the Collaboration Sessions Page To open the Collaboration Sessions page, click Collaboration on the course menu or from the Control Panel. The following table describes the available functions. To Filter the sessions listed on the page Select The arrow next to the drop-down list and select the type of session to display. Click Filter. The filters include: Show All: The default filter that displays all of the collaboration sessions. Available Sessions: Displays all of the sessions that are in use. Sessions with Recordings: Displays completed sessions that have an archive. Future Sessions: Displays sessions that are scheduled to take place in the future. Search for a session Enter a session Access the recording for a session Add a new collaboration session The Session Name, Start Date, or End Date option and then enter a value in the field. Click Search. Join from the session's contextual menu. Recording from the contextual menu. Create Collaboration Session Collaboration_Tools/010_About_Collaboration_Sessions Powered by 5

6 Assigning User Roles There are two roles available for users in collaboration sessions, passive and active. The session moderator controls user access and functions during a collaboration session by assigning passive or active roles. For example, session moderators determine which users can chat, send private messages, or ask questions during a session by assigning specific access rights to the different roles. The student icon will appear in the Role column next to those students who are designated as active. Student roles can change throughout the collaboration session. Those who are currently set to passive, but would like active rights can signal the session moderator by clicking the hand icon. The moderator can then make that user active. About Browser Pop-up Blockers Be aware that for any browser supporting pop-up window blocking, it must be disabled or your institution's website made a trusted site for the collaboration tool to work properly. Using the Accessible Collaboration Tool An accessible version of the collaboration tool is available. A link to this version appears when Join is selected on the Collaboration Sessions page. This link will open the accessible version of the collaboration tool. Links to items that appear in the virtual classroom, such as items in the course menu and group browser, will appear in this version. Documents created on the whiteboard may be viewed if the session moderator takes a snapshot. A link will be created to the snapshot for users to view. The sound of a door opening or closing is audible to all participants whenever a user enters or leaves a session through the accessible version. Collaboration_Tools/020_About_Collaboration_Tools Powered by 6

7 Chat The chat tool allows you to interact with other users using a text-based chat. Chat is part of the virtual classroom. You can also access it separately. Use the chat tool when real-time discussion is required. Most students will be familiar with using some form of chat and will be comfortable using this form of communication. The chat tool was designed to be ideal for low bandwidth situations, such as when your students are connecting to the course using a dial-up connection. After joining a chat session, students can send messages. The message will appear in the chat display panel of all participants who are currently in the room. Accessing Chat You can access chat in the collaboration tool from the Tools link on the course menu and from the Control Panel. You may also add a customized link to the course menu. How to Add a Collaboration Link to the Course Menu If you want students to access collaboration often, you can add a link to the course menu for one-click access to the tool. You can customize the name of the link to fit your needs. 1. Change Edit Mode to ON and point to the plus sign above the course menu. The Add Menu Item drop-down list appears. 2. Select Tool Link. 3. Type a Name for the link. 4. From the Type drop-down list, select Collaboration. 5. Select the Available to Users check box. 6. Click Submit. The new tool link appears last in the course menu list. Press and drag the arrows icon to move the link into a new position. Access the link's contextual menu to rename, delete, or hide the link from students. Collaboration_Tools/020_About_Collaboration_Tools Powered by 7

8 How to Add a Chat Link in a Content Area You can manually add links to chat in content areas, learning modules, lesson plans, and folders. For example, you could set up a content area to include all the content and tools your students need for the week. After reading the weekly lecture, viewing the slide presentation, and completing two assignments, students could then access the chat tool for the mandatory weekly session. Finally, they would complete the weekly test, accomplishing all of these tasks in the same content area. In this scenario, students do not need to navigate anywhere else in the course to complete all the required activities for the week. You can follow the same steps for adding link to learning modules, lesson plans, and folders. 1. Change Edit Mode to ON and access the course area where you want to add a chat link, for example, the Chapter 1 content area. 2. On the action bar, point to Tools to access the drop-down list and select Chat. 3. On the Create Link: Chat page, select the type of link: Collaboration Sessions Page, Chat Session. If linking to a Chat Session, select it from the list. 4. Click Next. 5. On the next Create Link: Chat page, complete the Link Information to specify how it will appear in the content area. Select Options, if you want to change them. 6. Click Submit. 7. Navigate to the content area, and click the chat link. You will be directed to the chat listing page. Click a title to join the chat. How to Create a Chat Session You can create chat sessions for real-time communication, and are available: For the duration of the course: Students can schedule meetings and use the session at any time. At a specific time: Student attendance at these sessions may be mandatory. To group members only: Students in a group can schedule sessions to discuss projects, divide up tasks, and brainstorm. Collaboration_Tools/020_About_Collaboration_Tools Powered by 8

9 Use the following steps to create a chat session. 1. On the course menu, click the Tools link. On the Tools page, select Collaboration. -OR- On the Control Panel, expand the Course Tools section and select Collaboration. 2. On the Collaboration Sessions page, click Create Collaboration Session on the action bar. 3. On the Create Collaboration Session page, type a Session Name. 4. In the Schedule Availability section, you can set sessions to display on a specific date and time and to stop displaying on a specific date and time. Select the Display After and Display Until check boxes to enable the date and time selections. Use the pop-up Date Selection Calendar and Time Selection Menu to select dates and times or type dates and times in the boxes. Display restrictions do not affect the session availability, only when it appears. 5. Next to Available, select the Yes option. 6. in the Collaboration Tool section, select Chat from the drop-down list. 7. Click Submit. Joining a Chat Session On the Collaboration Sessions page, click the Session Name. A Launching Chat Tool page appears. Do not leave this page until you are finished chatting. The chat session will open in a new browser window and may take a moment to load. Chat will not work if pop-up blockers are enabled. Either turn off your pop-up blocker or make your course site a trusted site. 1. A list of participants and their roles appear in the first column. The chat session moderator is represented by a globe icon. The moderator is typically the instructor. The moderator can modify participant roles, grant passive users permission to participate, expel users, and record and end the session. Active users are represented by a full color icon. An active user is typically a student. By default, active users can send messages as often as they like during a chat session. Collaboration_Tools/020_About_Collaboration_Tools Powered by 9

10 Passive users are represented by a gray toned icon. A passive user also is typically a student, but could also be a guest or observer. Passive users can observe the chat exchange, but must raise their hands (click on the hand icon) to request permission to send messages. If more than one user raises their hands, numbers are assigned to the handraise icons to represent the order they raised their hands. 2. The title of the chat room appears at the top of the chat display panel. 3. All messages are shown in the chat display panel. 4. Type your message in the Compose box and click Send. Alternatively, you can click the compose icon to open a new window, allowing for a bigger area for typing. How to Send a Private Message You can send private messages to other users if this feature is enabled in the session controls. Private messages are not recorded or archived. Private messages can appear with all your other messages in the chat display panel or you can choose to display them in a separate panel. Private messages are always preceded by Private Message from. Click View on the action bar and select where private messages will appear. Only users who have an active role can send private messages. 1. On the Participant list, select the recipient or recipients of your private message. To send a private message to a single participant, double-click the participant s name. For Windows, to select multiple users in a row, press the SHIFT key and click the first and last names. To select users out of sequence, press the CTRL key and click each name needed. For Macs, press the COMMAND key instead of the CTRL key. 2. Click Private Message. 3. In the Compose Private Message pop-up window, type your message. 4. Click Send. Collaboration_Tools/020_About_Collaboration_Tools Powered by 10

11 How to Modify Participant Roles By default, participants are designated as active users when they enter a chat session. At any time, you can change the role to passive. Passive users can view the chat exchange, but can only contribute if they raise their hands and are granted permission by the moderator. You control chat sessions to a greater degree when users are passive. For example, if each student must first ask for permission to participate, you are less likely to have a whole series of questions to respond to at once. You can also make only certain users passive if you feel they are dominating the conversation or responding inappropriately. 1. On the Participants list, click the name of the user. 2. Click an icon to activate or deactivate a user's permission to chat. The icon in the Participants list is updated. How to Record Chat Sessions You can create a transcript of a chat session by recording a session using the recording functions on the right side of the action bar. Session recordings can be beneficial if student participation is graded. Students can use the recordings for review purposes, or if a chat session was missed. You can type a name for the recording or use the default name of the start date and time of the recording. You can create single or multiple recordings for a session. 1. After joining a chat session, click the Begins recording function. 2. On the Name Recording pop-up window, type a name for the chat recording or use the default. 3. Click OK. The following table explains the recording functions on the action bar. Collaboration_Tools/020_About_Collaboration_Tools Powered by 11

12 Icon Function on the Action Bar Click Begin recording to create the transcript. Information is recorded as participants exchange messages. You can create more than one recording per session. Clicking the Begins recording function again when recording is already in progress will stop the recording. Click Pause recording to temporarily stop the recording. The chat display panel and the transcript will indicate the recording has been paused. Click it again to resume recording. Click Stop recording to end the recording. After you stop a chat session, you cannot add to the recording. If you end a recording in error, simply click the Begins recording function to start another transcript. Title the next recording "Part Two" or "Continued." Click Bookmark to add comments to the recording. For example, make a note that you are about to introduce a new topic. When adding bookmark comments, remember students can view recordings. Bookmarks will appear in a different color than the chat text. Managing Chat Sessions You can use the functions on the action bar to manage the chat session. View: Click View to choose where to display private messages. Controls: Click Controls to select which features each role can use. By default, only active users can send messages and private messages. Clear: Click Clear to clear your chat panel or the chat panel of all session participants. End: Click End to stop a session. The session is ended and all users are exited. If you are recording the session, the recording is also ended and it is no longer possible to add bookmarks to the recording. Collaboration_Tools/030_Chat Powered by 12

13 Virtual Classroom The virtual classroom environment includes a shared whiteboard, a group browser, a question and answer box, and a map that you can use to navigate to places in your course. The session moderator establishes which tools in the virtual classroom users can access. How to Access the Virtual Classroom 1. On the Control Panel, expand the Course Tools section and select Collaboration. 2. Access a virtual classroom's contextual menu and select Join. Using the Virtual Classroom Areas The following table details the areas of the virtual classroom. Area Menu bar Classroom tool box Chat Function Allows the session moderator to control the virtual classroom. This includes managing participation, monitoring breakout sessions, and ending the session. Includes all of the tools used during the virtual classroom session. This includes searching for websites, asking and answering questions, using the whiteboard, and accessing the course menu. Allows participants to compose messages, raise their hands to ask questions, and send private messages. To learn more, see Chat. Virtual Classroom Menu Bar The virtual classroom menu bar includes a number of functions for controlling access, setting personal message viewing options, creating breakout sessions, and more. View: Select Show in-line to view private messages within the chat area. Select Show in separate frame to view private messages in a separate window. Controls: Select the check boxes to grant access to tools for passive and active users. Clear a check box to delete access to a tool. Clear: Clears the currently visible chat display. If you are recording the session, this has no effect on the recorded chat text. End: Ends the session and exits all users. This action cannot be undone. Breakouts: Select the check boxes for the users who will participate in the breakout session. Users may only join a breakout session if they are selected by the creator of the breakout session. Users who enter a breakout session are still active in the main virtual classroom session. If a breakout session is closed, users are still active in the main session. Breakout sessions default to the same settings as the main session. Collaboration_Tools/030_Chat Powered by 13

14 Virtual Classroom Tool Box If granted access to these tools by the session moderator, users can use the whiteboard, access websites, and view the course menu. The classroom tool box appears on the left side of the virtual classroom. To begin using items in the Tool box, click the name of the tool. The following tools are available in the classroom tool box. Whiteboard Group Browser Map Ask Question Question Inbox Whiteboard The whiteboard enables users in a virtual classroom to present different types of information just as they would on a whiteboard in a classroom. The tools in the whiteboard palette allow users to draw images, type text, and present equations. The session moderator determines whether this function is made available to users. The following table details the functions available on the whiteboard. To Select an item Select The arrow tool. Then, click an item for selection. The following actions may be performed on selected items: Enlarge: Click of the small black boxes that surround the item and drag it to the appropriate size. Collaboration_Tools/030_Chat Powered by 14

15 To Select Move: Click the item and move it to the appropriate location. Cut: Click the whiteboard item. Then, click the Cut icon. Copy: Click the whiteboard item. Then, click the Copy icon. Paste: Click the whiteboard item. Then, click the Paste icon. Delete: Click the whiteboard item. Click the selected object. Then, click the Delete icon. Group items: Click the whiteboard items. Then, click the Group icon. Ungroup: Click a whiteboard item in a group. Then, click the Ungroup icon. Bring front: Click the whiteboard item. Click selected object. Then, click the Bring to front icon. Bring back: Click the whiteboard item. Click selected object. Then, click the Send to back icon. Select all figures on the whiteboard: Click the Selects all Figures icon. Draw free hand Enter text using the keyboard Draw a straight line Draw a rectangle Draw a oval Input an equation The pen tool. Choose the color of the pen in the Pen Color drop-down list. Next, select the line width. The text tool (T) then the whiteboard area. A Whiteboard Text Input box appears. Type the text in the box and click Insert. Use the options in the Tools palette to select color, font, and size. The line tool. The rectangle tool. Choose the color of the square from the Fill Color dropdown list to draw a solid shape. To draw the outline of the shape, select None for the fill color. The outline of the shape will be the color of the pen tool and have the selected line width. The oval tool. Choose the color of the circle from the Fill Color drop-down list to draw a solid shape. To draw the outline of the shape, select None for the fill color. The outline of the shape will be the color of the pen tool and have the selected line width. The math and science equation editor icon. The equation editor will appear. Input the equation and click Insert Equation. Group Browser The group browser enables users to collaboratively browse the internet. This tool opens a URL that is viewable by all users. URLs used in the session will be added to the recording if one is created. The session moderator determines whether this function is made available to users. The following table details the functions available in the group browser. To Open a website Select Type the URL in the Type Address field. Collaboration_Tools/030_Chat Powered by 15

16 To Choose where to display the website Select Display To Users to display the window in the whiteboard or click Preview in New Window to open the website in a new browser window. The preview window will only appear to the user who opened it. Map The course map enables users to browse the course menu while in a virtual classroom. By default, the session moderator has access to operate the course map. Users must have active privileges to use the course map in a virtual classroom. The following table details the functions available on the couse map. To Display an element on the map to all users Display an element on the map in a separate window Refresh the map during a collaboration session Select The course area in the course map and select Display To Class in the drop-down list. The course area in the course map and select Preview in New Window in the drop-down list. The new window is only visible to the user who opens it. Refresh Tree in the drop-down list. This will update the course map to match the course menu. Ask Question Users are able to ask questions during a session. As users submit questions during the session, the session moderator can view and respond to them. Only users who have an active role can ask questions. To ask a question, select Compose in the ask question area. Type the question in the box and click Send. Question Inbox Questions from users are sent to the question inbox during the virtual classroom session. The question inbox is used to manage and respond to questions during a collaboration session. The following table details the functions available in the question inbox tool. To Respond to a question Delete a question View only questions that have not been answered Select The username in the From list and click the Respond to Question icon. The Respond to Question pop-up window will appear. The username in the From list and click the Delete icon. The Show unanswered only check box. Collaboration_Tools/030_Chat Powered by 16

17 The following table details the fields in the Respond to Question pop-up window. Field Question Response Private Description Question that was submitted. Type the response to the question. Select this check box to make the response to the question private. If marked private, the response will only be sent to the person who submitted the message. Collaboration_Tools/040_Virtual_Classroom Powered by 17

18 Creating and Editing Collaboration Sessions Use the following steps to create or edit a collaboration session: 1. On the Control Panel, expand the Course Tools section and select Collaboration. 2. On the Collaboration Sessions page, click Create Collaboration Session on the action bar. -OR- To edit a collaboration, access the session's contextual menu and select Edit. 3. Complete the fields as appropriate. Field Session Name Session Name Schedule Availability Select Dates of Availability Description Type the name of the new session. Optionally, select the dates during which the collaboration session will be available: a start date and time and an ending date and time. Setting availability by date is not required. If these are not set, then the session is always open and available for users, subject to the Available setting. Available Collaboration Tool Choose a Tool for this Session Select Yes to make the session available. Select Virtual Classroom or Chat. Collaboration_Tools/050_Creating_and_Editing_Collaboration_Sessions Powered by 18

19 Recording Sessions Session recordings allow users to review collaboration sessions and are archived by date. A given session will not appear in the list of saved recordings until the session moderator has stopped recording. If you do not stop the recording and exit the collaboration session, the recording will not end and no information will be recorded in the recording duration column. Only when the session moderator stops recording or ends the session will the recording actually stop and the duration display. How to Find the Recording Sessions Page 1. On the Control Panel, expand the Course Tools section and select Collaboration. 2. Access a session's contextual menu and select Recordings. The following table describes the functions available on this page. To Search for a recording in the collaboration session Open a recording Change the name or availability of a recording Delete a recording Select The Recording Name or creation date option in the Search by field. Type the name of the recording or the date it was created in the field and click Search. The recording name. Edit from the contextual menu. The Recording Properties page appears. Delete. Deleting a recording session cannot be undone. The Recording Properties page allows you to change the name and availability of a recording session. By default, recordings are available to users. How to Find the Recording Properties Page 1. On the Control Panel, expand the Course Tools section and select Collaboration.In the Course Tools area of the Control Panel, click Collaboration. 2. Access a session's contextual menu and select Recordings. 3. Access a recording's contextual menu and select Edit. 4. Complete the fields as appropriate. Field Edit Recording Name Recording Name Availability to Students Permit Participants to View Recording Description Type or edit the name of the recording. To enable viewing access for participants, select Yes (default). Collaboration_Tools/050_Creating_and_Editing_Collaboration_Sessions Powered by 19

20 Field Description To make a session recording unavailable to participants, select No. Virtual classroom and chat sessions are recorded and saved for future playback. You can start, stop, pause, and restart recordings during a session. A session can have more than one recording. If you select End to stop a session, then the recorder will automatically stop recording the session. Remember to stop a session recording or to allow the session to stop it automatically by ending the session. If you simply exit the session, the recording will not stop nor will it be archived. Using the Recording Controls The following table details the functions that appear on the Record menu. Buttons Start Pause Stop Bookmark Caption Click Start to begin recording a session. You are prompted to name the recording. Click Pause to pause a recording once it has started. Click again to restart the recording. Both the pause and restart will be marked and time stamped in the recording. Click Stop to end recording the session. A stop marker and time/date stamp will be included at the end of the recording. Click Bookmark to insert a bookmark anywhere in the recording of the session. Recording the Whiteboard Use the snapshot function (shaped like a camera) on the whiteboard tool bar to capture the current state of the whiteboard and save it with the recording. When replaying the session recording, the whiteboard image shown will update according to the time when the snapshot was captured. You cannot use the snapshot function unless the session is being recorded. Controlling Session Recording Availability By default, session recordings are available to all session participants, including students. If you want, you can restrict availability and deny participants permission to access a session recording. Collaboration_Tools/060_Recording_Sessions Powered by 20