BLACKBOARD TRAINING BGL-SAFFIRE

PURPOSE To familiarise you with the interface and features of Blackboard Collaborate Polling Audio and video features Text chat Whiteboard tool File transfer Breakout rooms Web tour Tips for a smooth blackboard experience and general questions

Settings menu to configure your audio and mic levels Press to talk question button Polling response button Whiteboard tools Status Icon Emoticons

LETS TRY A SIMPLE POLLING QUESTION Which Sport do you prefer? A: Rugby League B: Rugby Union C: Cricket D: None of the above Use your polling response button to select your answer

You need a headset with a microphone for optimal experience. You can use the built in microphone on your laptops. Web cam for video. Audio and Video Features

AUDIO AND VIDEO FEATURES Press the “Talk Button” to speak to the rest of the group Press the “Talk Button” again when you have finished talking To avoid confusion the number only one person should speak at a time If you want to speak to the rest of the group, click the “question button”. Which is the little hand icon

Comments typed here are visible to everyone. Use this chat for social comments and to provide feedback to the tutor. You should use the “Talk” function for asking more substantive questions or participating in discussion.

Click for Options Menu

WHITEBOARD TOOL Can be used to display Text Slides Shapes Freehand diagrams

Whiteboard Authoring Tools

LETS PRACTICE Use the white board authoring tools to draw a text box and write a simple greeting for the rest of the class

File Transfer Utility

You can use the File Transfer utility to upload files to share with other participants. You can also download files uploaded by other users or the tutor.

BREAK OUT ROOMS Break out rooms are sub rooms that will be used so that students can work on their group tasks in private. Activities that occur in a breakout room are not visible to participants in the main room or other break out rooms. From time to time your tutor will create break out room for you to work in. You can join a break out room by using the drop down menu next to a room’s name

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Ensure that you have a stable version of JAVA (version 7 or above is recommended) Use a headset with a noise cancelling microphone. Make sure that you don’t have sound outputting through external speakers to avoid echo and feedback. Make sure that you have a reliable internet connection. Make sure that your firewall and antivirus software are configured to allow access to Blackboard and Java

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS (CONT.) Minimise the use of video (the webcam) to conserve bandwidth. Above all please be respectful towards others in the group study room.

GENERAL TIPS

SAVING THE WHITEBOARD

QUESTIONS?