Getting started with Blackboard
Collaborate
A resource for participants, including:
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7.
What is Blackboard Collaborate?
What do I need to participate?
Enabling pop-ups on different browsers
Using Blackboard Collaborate for the first time
Accessing your Blackboard Collaborate class
Watching a Recording
If you experience any problems
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1. What is Blackboard Collaborate
Blackboard Collaborate is a ‘virtual’ classroom, accessed online. Students and educators can interact in
the virtual classroom via audio and video, share documents, break into small groups, and collaborate
together.
2. What do I need to participate?
To participate in a Blackboard Collaborate class you will need:
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A computer connected to the internet.
Speakers and a microphone. A headset (with ear phones and microphone) is best and can be
purchased from an electronics store for around $25. Some webcams also have a microphone
built in.
Webcam (mandatory for Counselling students, optional otherwise).
JavaSun software – available free by following the section 4 below.
3. Enabling pop-ups on different browsers
Internet Explorer:
Click on the gear icon on the far right of the screen and select ‘internet options’ from the drop-down
menu
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Select the ‘Privacy’ tab from the Internet Options window and make sure the ‘Turn on Pop-Up
Blocker’ box is un-ticked
Mozilla Firefox:
Click on the Firefox tab, and select ‘Options’
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From the Options window select the Content tab, and un-tick the ‘Block pop-up windows’ box
Chrome:
Click on the tab circled and select ‘Settings’ from the drop-down menu
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From the Settings page click on ‘Show advanced settings’ at the bottom of the page
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Click on ‘Content Settings’ located under Privacy
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Un-tick ‘Allow all sites to show pop-ups’ under Pop-ups
Safari:
Click on the wheel on the far right of the top of the screen and un-tick the ‘Block Pop-Up Windows’
from the drop-down menu
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4. Using Blackboard Collaborate for the first time
If you are using Blackboard Collaborate for the first time, or for the first time on a particular computer,
you will need to follow the steps below:
I.
Check your computer has the software it needs:
Click Here to check you have the correct system requirements. If a popup blocker appears,
choose ‘Run Add-on’.
Mac users will need to install the Blackboard Collaborate Mac Launcher, which requires
additional confirmation on some versions of Mac OS.
Click the ‘pop-up’ and choose ‘run
add on’. A new box will open, press
‘Run’
Green ticks should appear if your system has the software it needs.
If you see red crosses you need to follow the instructions to download Sun Microsystem's Java
Web Start or OpenJNLP for Mac. If you are unable to do this please contact technical support
immediately. If you can download it and the red cross changes to a green tick, then it’s time to
move onto the next step.
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II.
Test your connection & audio:
Click on the Configuration Room to test your connection, and configure your audio.
When joining a Blackboard Collaborate session for the first time you may see a security dialog
box asking to confirm the application's digital signature. Click "Download File" to continue.
Once in the configuration room, complete the ‘Audio set up wizard’ by pressing the microphone
icon in the top left hand corner of the screen. This will ensure your audio is working.
It is recommended that you use a headset with microphone & speakers highest quality
experience.
5. Accessing your Blackboard Collaborate class
If your educator is using a Blackboard Collaborate class it will be available in your online class space for
that particular unit/module.
Click on the link in your online class space. Each unit may have a different name. You can find the link
with this icon
Click ‘Join Session’
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The program will open as per section 4 of this guide.
It is important to enter at least 5 minutes early so that you can complete the ‘Audio setup wizard’. You
should complete the audio setup wizard each time you enter a Blackboard Collaborate class.
6. Watching a recording
Recordings of Blackboard Collaborate sessions are available in your online class space on the same page
as the ‘Join Session’ link:
Pressing ‘Play recording’ will open Blackboard Collaborate classroom where audio, video, presentations
will be played back. This also means that your system needs to run the JavaSun application as per
section 4 of this guide.
7. If you experience problems
Make sure that you have completed section 2 and 3 of this guide
Problems with your Audio
 Make sure the volume of your computer is not mute or turned down.
 Check that your headset is plugged in to the right place.
 First try running the Audio Set up wizard in the Configuration Room. This will prompt you to
choose which speakers and microphone you are using (e.g. Headset, webcam).
Problems accessing your Blackboard Collaborate Class
Ensure that you have followed section 5 of this guide.
Navitas IT helpdesk: 02 9964 6322 (Mon-Fri 8am-7pm).
For out of hours support please contact Blackboard Collaborate technical support on 1800 26 7338.
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