1. ULTRA SESSION PREPARATION KIT
It’s recommended to prepare for a virtual session just like you would prepare for a face-to-face class. The more prepared you can be, the better it will be for everyone.

2. Planning Your Session
Create a lesson plan. This should include which tools you will be using in Ultra: polling, groups, share screen, share file, etc. Plan your lessons around a flipped classroom approach. Instead of dedicating 1 hour or more to lecturing or reviewing a PowerPoint, etc., have students view that PowerPoint/video/reading, etc., before class and use class time to discuss major points or ideas. If you need to use the virtual session to lecture, try to incorporate an engaging activity every 10 minutes: polling, group activity, showing a video, having a discussion, etc.
Breakout groups: have a plan and instructions in place for the breakout group sessions.
If you are not sure how to use an Ultra tool, and you were unable to practice or get training, do not use it. You want to be efficient with your time and not waste time fumbling with the tools.
Pre-load any files you will be sharing via Share File a few hours before.
If the lesson will revolve around a video or lecture content, send video links to students a few nights before the lesson. That way, you can use the session time to answer questions on the videos, check in and engage your students with each other.

3. Pre-Session Checklist
Fill a beverage to hydrate yourself; have it handy.
If you will be using 2 monitors and the webcam, be sure you are facing the webcam and the Ultra session screen is on your laptop with the webcam. Make sure the lighting is appropriate too (not too dark or bright), and be properly dressed.
Use a headset & microphone for a better sound quality experience. If you have an older computer, the built-in microphone may not work well in capturing all the audio, so if you will not be using a headset with a built-in microphone, have the call in phone number and PIN available.
Turn off phones/alarms/alerts to minimize distractions. Log off of: , Jing, Snag It, Chat message, or other programs you won’t be using or are private.
Use Google Chrome as your internet browser.
Have the PowerPoints, websites and documents that you will use uploaded and/or open.
If you plan on recording your session, don’t forget to press Start Recording!
Know how to report an issue to Ultra Tech Support during a session, and have other tech support contact information handy.
Know how to mute or remove a participant if s/he is being distracting.

4. Best Practice Tips
Set “housekeeping” rules with participants for your session such as using chat, webcam, microphone and what to do if they experience technical difficulties or get booted off of the session.
Have an agenda for your session and show it to students so they know what will be covered.
If students ask questions via chat, when the time comes for you to answer them, repeat the questions aloud. Currently, Ultra recordings do not capture chat messages, so for students who are accessing recordings, it will help them be more aware of where the conversation is going.
Be sure to send students via /announcement the latest version of the Getting Started with Ultra-For Students job aid (found in the CIL Organization)

5. Need Help? Faculty Concierge (877) 533-4733 (option 2)
Blackboard Help Desk
(888)
Blackboard Ultra Tech Issues
(877) or
Report an Issue from within the session
Training:
to make a training appointment

6. Ultra Session Templates
Feel free to use these slide templates in your own Ultra sessions. They come without a design to make it easy for you to copy and paste into your own slides.

7. Housekeeping Rules
If you have your headset & mic plugged in, or if you are calling in, please mute yourself during the session to lessen background noise. You can unmute yourself to ask a question.
If you get “booted off” the session, just click on the session link again and you’ll be logged back in.

8. Ultra Help Desk Resources for Students
Blackboard Help Desk (General Blackboard Help)
(888)
Available 24/7
Ultra Tech Issues
(877)

9. Session Agenda
[Here you can add your own agenda for what you will discuss during the session]