First-Time Users

Use the Start Here With the Basics! page as a checklist to prepare for using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.

I Need to Talk to Someone!

If you need personal technical support for using Blackboard Collaborate Web Conferencing, use the Blackboard Collaborate Support Portal to access personal 24/7 Blackboard Collaborate Support Online via Chat, Phone, and the Ticket System, or call 1-877-382-2293. Available 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week!

How can I check the status of Collaborate services?

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra web conferencing is service delivered and maintained by Blackboard. Use the Blackboard Services Status website to access 24/7 Blackboard Collaborate Web Conferencing (US) server service status.

If you need personal technical support for using Blackboard Collaborate Web Conferencing, use the Blackboard Collaborate Support Portal to access personal 24/7 Blackboard Collaborate Support Online via Chat, Phone, and the Ticket System, or call 1-877-382-2293. Available 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week!

I Cannot Hear Audio!

• Refer to the instructions for how to Use Audio and Video.
• Check to see that your headset is plugged into your computer properly.
• Check volume controls - be sure that nothing is 'muted.'
• Run the 'Audio Set-up Wizard' and try again.
• Log out of the session and log back in, run the Audio Setup Wizard again.

Others Can't Hear Me!

• Refer to the instructions for how to Use Audio and Video.
• Check to see that your microphone is plugged into your computer properly.
• Check volume controls - be sure that the microphone is not 'muted.'
• Run the 'Audio Set-up Wizard' and try again.
• Log out of the session and log back in, run the Audio Setup Wizard again.
• If all else fails, (and you can hear but not be heard) you may be able to participate at a reasonable level by listening, using the text chat, whiteboard, polling tools and emoticons

I Keep Dropping Out of the Session!

Connection issues may be related to your internet service provider, your location in relation to your internet source, and many other factors. Blackboard Collaborate Ultra automatically adjusts various session settings (video quality, audio quality, etc.) in order to stabilize your connection.

If your connection issues persist, we recommend contacting your internet service provider for assistance, or enlisting the aid of a local technician.

How do I get to Collaborate Ultra?

1. Inside your Lions SHARE Courses classroom, from the Activities navigation menu, select Collaborate.
2. If your instructor has instructed you to go to the Course Room, click on the Course Room.
3. If your instructor has instructed you to go to a specific session other than the Course Room, click the name of the appropriate session.
4. If you have been given a URL to join, navigate to that URL.

How do I get to a Collaborate Ultra recording?

1. Inside your Lions SHARE Courses classroom, from the Activities navigation menu, select Collaborate.
2. Near the upper left corner, click the menu button, and select Recordings.
3. Click on the name of the appropriate recording, as directed by your instructor.
4. If you have been given a URL to view, navigate to that URL.
5. Refer to the Blackboard Help page for viewing a Recording.

First-Time Users

Start Here With the Basics! guide

Ensure that your device is supported with the System Requirements for Collaborate with the Ultra Experience page

Ensure that you have an adequate audio device for both listening and speaking.
While there are many adequate devices, we recommend using a USB Headset for your computer.
Read The Wirecutter's recommendation for The Best USB Headset for Your Computer.
Visit your local store's electronics department and try the headsets on for yourself.
Choose a headset that is light and comfortable (since you’ll be wearing it for long periods of time), while maintaining a fairly good audio quality.

User Interface Tour (3:00)

Explore more of the Getting Started resources

Documentation

Start with the Basics

Session Settings

Browser Support

Use Audio & Video

Call Into a Session

Find Your Way Around

Use the Tools

Attendees Panel

Use Chat

Use Breakout Groups

Use Polls

How do I present to my class?

Accessibility

Troubleshooting

Explore all of the Getting Started resources

Explore all of the Participant resources

Web Conferencing Best Practices for Participants

Video Tutorials

View the "Blackboard Collaborate with Ultra Experience Tutorials" video playlist

Faculty Development & Enrichment Events

View recorded versions of Faculty Development & Enrichment sessions:

• "Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Faculty Orientation" 1:02:12
• Slides from Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Orientation (pptx)
• "Top 5 Ways you can Use Collaborate Ultra in your Class" 00:38:27
• "Present Slides & Documents Like a Pro in Collaborate Ultra" 00:31:27
• "Demonstrate with Application Sharing in Collaborate Ultra" 00:31:27
• "Manage Breakout Groups in Collaborate Ultra" 00:17:02
• "Increase Student Participation with Collaborate Ultra" 00:35:13

How do I get to Collaborate Ultra?

1. Inside your Lions SHARE Courses classroom, from the Activities navigation menu, select Collaborate.
2. If you wish to use the Course Room, click the Course Room.
3. If you wish to use a specific session other than the Course Room, click the name of the appropriate session.
4. If you have been given a URL to join, navigate to that URL.

How do I get to a Collaborate Ultra recording?

1. Inside your Lions SHARE Courses classroom, from the Activities navigation menu, select Collaborate.
2. Near the upper left corner, click the menu button, and select Recordings.
3. Click on the name of the appropriate recording.
4. If you have been given a URL to view, navigate to that URL.

How do I get to a "standalone" Collaborate virtual office?

1. Since Collaborate Ultra is now built into every single course offering Inside the Lions SHARE Courses system, simply navigate into any of your online classrooms, and from the Activities navigation menu, select Collaborate.
2. If you wish to use the Course Room, click the Course Room.
3. If you wish to use a specific session other than the Course Room, click the name of the appropriate session.
4. If you do not have any course offerings or sandbox course offerings in which to use Collaborate, we recommend contacting the University Technology Services Helpdesk to request web conferencing.

How do I edit a session to automatically make students Moderators?

1. Since Collaborate Ultra is now built into every single course offering Inside the Lions SHARE Courses system, simply navigate into any of your online classrooms, and from the Activities navigation menu, select Collaborate.
2. If you wish to use the Course Room, click the Course Room.
3. If you wish to use a specific session other than the Course Room, click the name of the appropriate session.
4. The settings panel will appear on the right. Use one or both of the following steps, depending upon what instructions you gave to your students for accessing the session. To be safe, you may wish to complete both of the following steps.
5. If you have instructed your students to join the session by navigating into their course and using the Collaborate link in the Activities menu, then scroll down and expand the Session Settings area, and change the Default Attendee Role dropdown menu to Moderator. If a student accesses the session via the Activities menu inside your class, this will automatically make them a Moderator after they join the session.
6. If you have instructed your students to join the session via a Guest hyperlink that you distributed to them, then change the Guest Role dropdown menu near the top of the settings panel to Moderator. If a student accesses the session via the Guest hyperlink that you distributed, this will automatically make them a Moderator after they join the session.

First-Time Users

Start Here With the Basics! guide

Ensure that your device is supported with the System Requirements for Collaborate with the Ultra Experience page

Ensure that you have an adequate audio device for both listening and speaking.
While there are many adequate devices, we recommend using a USB Headset for your computer.
Read The Wirecutter's recommendation for The Best USB Headset for Your Computer.
Visit your local store's electronics department and try the headsets on for yourself.
Choose a headset that is light and comfortable (since you’ll be wearing it for long periods of time), while maintaining a fairly good audio quality.

User Interface Tour (3:00)

Explore more of the Getting Started resources

Documentation

Start with the Basics

Schedule a Session

Large Event Request (250-500 users)

Session Settings

Roles

Browser Support

Use Audio & Video

Call Into a Session

Record a Session

Share Content

Collaborate with Students

Use Polls

Use Breakout Groups

Manage Participants

Accessibility

Troubleshooting

Bandwidth Consumption FAQs

Explore all of the Getting Started resources

Explore all of the Moderator resources

Read the Web Conferencing Best Practices for Moderators

Compare Tools / Features with Previous Version

See the Blackboard Product Roadmaps documents related to Collaborate, where you'll learn about the development roadmap for Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, including new features, as well as features in beta, development, and research.

Video Tutorials

View the "Blackboard Collaborate with Ultra Experience Tutorials" video playlist

View recorded versions of Faculty Development & Enrichment sessions:

• "Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Faculty Orientation" 1:02:12
• Slides from Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Orientation (pptx)
• "Top 5 Ways you can Use Collaborate Ultra in your Class" 00:38:27
• "Present Slides & Documents Like a Pro in Collaborate Ultra" 00:31:27
• "Demonstrate with Application Sharing in Collaborate Ultra" 00:31:27
• "Manage Breakout Groups in Collaborate Ultra" 00:17:02
• "Increase Student Participation with Collaborate Ultra" 00:35:13

Recommended Session Welcome Slide

We recommend that instructors share this Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Welcome slide (pptx) on screen at the beginning of Blackboard Collaborate Ultra sessions. You're welcome to personalize it to the needs of your learners.

Recommended Session Quick Guide

You may wish to share this Collaborate Session Quick Guide (PDF) or Collaborate Session Quick Guide (PNG) with your participants prior to your first session. It matches the Recommended Session Welcome Slide

Recommended Session Guest Invite Message

You may wish to copy and customize the following suggested message to invite guests to your Collaborate Ultra session.