Blackboard Learn 9.1 Screencast Collaboration Tools in Blackboard 9.1 Introduction This video/pdf is an informational directive to locate and identify the features of Blackboard Collaboration Tools. Learning Outcomes After reviewing this document and viewing the corresponding screencast, you will be able to: Locate Blackboard Collaboration Tools; Identify differences between the Chat Tool and the Virtual Classroom Tool; Record a Collaboration session; Locate Collaboration session recordings; and Schedule new Collaboration sessions. Access Collaboration Tools in Blackboard 9.1 1. Select Course Tools in the Control Panel. (Scroll down to page 2) 1
2. Select Collaboration. 3. You are directed to the Collaboration Sessions page. By default, Lecture Hall and Office Hours appear on the Collaboration Sessions page. Lecture Hall is an example of the Virtual Classroom Tool. Office Hours is an example of the Chat Tool. The Chat Tool 2
1. To view the Chat Tool, select Office Hours. Within the Chat Tool, you can compose public messages in the Compose bar at the bottom of the Chat window. Select Send when you have finished composing a message. You can also send private messages. Select the name of the individual you would like to message (under Participants on the left side of the Chat window). Select Send when you have completed your message. Recording Collaboration Sessions 1. To record a Chat or Virtual Classroom session, select the circle icon near the top right of the Chat or Virtual Classroom window. 3
2. Type a name for the session recording in the Name Recording pop-up window. Select OK when complete. 3. To end a recording, select the square icon near the top right of the Chat or Virtual Classroom window. The Virtual Classroom Tool 1. To view the Virtual Classroom Tool, select Lecture Hall on the Collaboration Sessions page. 2. Five tools are displayed near the top left side of the Virtual Classroom window (Whiteboard, Map, Group Browser, Ask Question and Question Inbox): 4
Whiteboard In the Controls section of the Whiteboard, you can add or delete pages. In the Tools section of the Whiteboard, you can access the select tool, line tool, marker tool, equation tool, rectangle tool, oval tool and text tool. Note: If you do not see the Whiteboard in the viewing frame (i.e. displaying to students), select the display button. 5
Map allows you to display other parts of your Blackboard course within the Virtual Classroom. You can select Preview in New Window before selecting Display to Users. Select the Go button when you have chosen either option. Group Browser allows you to visit Websites within the Virtual Classroom window. Type a Web address in the Enter Address bar. As with the Map option, you can select Preview in New Window before selecting Display to Users. Select the Go button when you have chosen either option. Ask Question allows you to post questions Question Inbox allows you to view submitted answers Note: students may also access these tools within the Tools side panel. 3. You can compose chat messages at the bottom of the Virtual Classroom window select Send to display your message. 4. You can also send private messages within the Virtual Classroom. Select the name of the individual you would like to message (under Participants on the left side of the Virtual Classroom window). Select Send at the bottom right of the private message pop-up window when you have completed your message. 6
Note: As mentioned in the previous section of this document, you can record Virtual Classroom sessions (see Recording Collaboration Sessions above). Accessing Collaboration Session Recordings 1. Open the Collaboration Sessions page (select Collaboration in the Course Tools section of the Control Panel). 2. Select the Action Link beside the session name (i.e. Lecture Hall, Virtual Classroom, etc.). You will not see the Action Link until you move your curser slightly to the right of the session name. 7
3. Select Recordings from the drop-down menu. 4. You are directed to the Session Recordings page. Click on the name of the recording you would like to view. Note: Session records are in text format. You will not see a video recording of the session (example appears on following page). 8
Creating and Scheduling New Collaboration Sessions 1. Open the Collaboration Sessions page (select Collaboration in the Course Tools section of the Control Panel). 2. Select Create Collaboration Session this button is located near the top left of the Collaboration Sessions page. 3. You are directed to the Create Collaboration Session page. Type a name for the session. 9
4. If you would like the Chat Session to occur during a defined period of time, select a Start After date and an End After date in the Schedule Availability section. These dates will be displayed to students. Note: If you would like the session to be open for an undetermined period of time, you might choose not to provide Start After and End After dates. In that case, simply select Yes beside Make Available. If you select No, students cannot view or access the session. 5. In the Collaboration Tool section, select either the Chat tool or Virtual Classroom tool. 6. Select Submit. The new Collaboration session will appear on the Collaboration Sessions page. 10