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How do I prepare my computer for a Collaborate Web Conferencing session?

Whenever a computer is going to be used for a Collaborate Web Conferencing session, there are two steps to follow.

Step 1.Checking System Requirements

Initially, you need to ensure you are running an operating system that is supported as well as a supported version of Java. Clicking on the following link will ensure you can proceed: Blackboard Collaborate webconferencing - First Time Users

In addition, please ensure the following:

  • You are using the computer on which you will attend your session.
  • Your computer is connected to the Internet and has a stable, reliable connection
  • You have a microphone and speakers, preferably a headset to take full advantage of the collaborative capabilities during your session. Please check with the organization or instructor hosting the session if they will be using these features.
  • You have the appropriate permissions to save files to your computer. If you are unsure, please contact your system administrator.

Step 2. Configuring your system

To test your connection, settings, and audio, please click on this link:  Configuration Room

Note: 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 "Run" to continue.

 

 

How do I work with the panels and windows within Blackboard Collaborate and can I restore my default layout?

The Blackboard Collaborate Web Conferencing interface consists of panels and windows. Panels can be collapsed, expanded, detached and reattached, resized and, in their detached state, can be moved. The default setting when you initially join a session is for the panels to be expanded and attached. The side panels (Audio & Video, Participants and Chat) also can be hidden.

 

The main application window can be minimized, maximized, moved, resized and closed. Other windows can be opened, moved, resized and closed.

 

Working with Panels

Below are the ways you can manage your panels:

·         Collapse and expand a panel: By default, the panels are expanded. If you want to make more room for one of the panels, you can collapse the others.

 

o    To collapse a panel, click on the Collapse button in the panel's title bar:

o    To expand the panel back to its former state, click on the Expand button in the panel's title bar:

 

·         Move a panel: Grab the panel (either attached or detached) by its title bar and, while holding down your mouse, drag it to the desired location and then drop it by releasing the mouse.

·         Detach and reattach a panel: Panels can be detached so you can move them to a more convenient location.

·         To detach a panel, do one of the following:

 

o    From the Options menu, select Detach Panel.

o    Drag and drop the panel out of the main application window.

 

·         To reattach a panel, do one of the following:

 

o    From the Options menu, select Attach Panel.

o    Drag and drop the panel back into the main application window.

o    From the View menu, select Restore Default Layout.

o    Click on the panel's Close button:

·         Reorder an attached panel: Drag and drop the panel up or down within the side bar area (left side) of the main application window.

·         Hide attached side panels: You can make the Content area larger by hiding the side bar area (left side) of the main application window. To do so, in the View menu, unselect (uncheck) Show Side Bar. To bring the side bar back, reselect it.

·         Resize a panel: Grab a panel border and drag it. Hold your mouse over any side (either attached or detached) or a corner (detached only) and, when the cursor changes to a two-headed arrow, click and drag the border of the panel to contract or expand it.

·         Un-obscure detached panels: If part of the panel is obscured by another panel or window, click anywhere on the panel to bring it to the front of the other panel or window.

Tip: If you can't find a panel because it is hidden beneath other panels or windows, an easy way to find it is to select Restore Default Layout from the View menu and it will move the panels back to their default location making them visible on the main window.

Working with Windows

There are a number of different kinds of windows in Blackboard Collaborate Web Conferencing: the main application window, main module windows (such as the Notes window and the Multimedia Library), dialog boxes (such as the Preferences dialog and Create Breakout Rooms dialog) and utility windows (such as the Object Explorer and Page Explorer).

Below are the ways you can manage your windows:

·         Open the main application window: To open the window you need to join the session by clicking on a link.

·         Open a main module window: To open the window of one of the main modules, select it from the Window menu or, if available, open it using its associated keyboard shortcut.

·         Move a window: Grab the window by its title bar and, while holding down your mouse, drag it to the desired location and then drop it by releasing the mouse.

 

·         To resize a window: Grab a window border and drag it. Hold your mouse over any side or a corner and, when the cursor changes to a two-headed arrow, click and drag the border of the window to contract or expand it.

 

·         Minimize or maximize the main application window: Use the standard conventions of your operating system for minimizing and maximizing windows. For example, on Windows, use the Minimize and Maximize buttons in the window's title bar:

 

·         Un-obscure a window: If part of a window is obscured by another window or panel, click on the window itself to bring it to the front of the other window or panel.

 

o    Tip: If you can't find a window because it is hidden beneath other windows, an easy way to find it is to select Restore Default Layout from the View menu and then open your window again.

 

·         Close a main module window: To close a main module window, do one of the following:

o    Click on the window’s Close button in the title bar of the window.

o    Enter Ctrl+W (Command-W on Mac)

o    Enter Alt+F4 (Windows and Linux only)

·         Close the main application window: If you close the main application window you will leave the session.

 

 

I am hearing echo in my session, how can I fix this?

Echo is caused primarily from sound being replayed back through a microphone and or can be related to latency with the connection.

These issues are typically solved with a couple different methods and via best practices for using our tools.

1) Important, when finished speaking, hit the talk button again to turn off your microphone.  This will prevent the #1 reason for echo, which is the sound of another person's voice re-playing back through the open microphone.

2) Latency related to the Internet connection of the user.  Recommend adjusting the connection speed lower, for example, for some users, a move from LAN to wireless makes a big difference.  That change can be made by the user from within the session. Click on --. Preferences --> scroll down and highlight "Connection"; adjust this lower, ie from LAN to Cable/DSL, or Wireless.  Experiment with what works.

3) Related to #2 above, be sure Internet connection is sufficient for the bandwidth requirements of the session.  If using wireless, ensure signal strength is excellent.  Weakness here causes issues.

4) Due to bandwidth intensive nature of the certain tools, be aware of bandwidth usage when using video and application sharing.

5) Ensure computer resources besides bandwidth are free for the tools the session requires.  Close any programs not required for use in the session to free up memory and processing power.

 

One note of hope for echo issues.  Blackboard Collaborate is working on echo cancellation for a future release of the software as they recognize the need to help our users mitigate this problem.

 

 

Why can't I see the profile pictures of my participants?

Moderators can determine which user profiles will be displayed to attendees of the session. To change this setting, from the Tools menu, select Profile and then Show Profiles of. Then select the desired option: No One hides all profiles, Moderators enables only the profiles of Moderators, and Everyone enables the profiles of Moderators and all other Participants.

 

Are there limits to the amount of content that can be loaded into an Web Conferencing Session??

Yes, Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing does have limits on the amount of content that can be loaded.

Limits Are:

  • Web Conferencing - (The following limits come into affect when you are in an Web Conferencing session)

·         100 MB of Multimedia

·         10 MB or 20 MB of Whiteboard (Please review limitations below)

·         10 MB of File Transfer

  • Web Conferencing Multimedia
    • Supported File Types  -
      • Shockwave Flash Media Files (*.swf)
      • MPEG Movies (*.mpg, *.mpe, *.mpeg)
      • QuickTime Movies (*.qt, *.mov)
      • MPEG4 Movies (*.m4v, *.mpeg4)
      • Windows Media Files (*.wmv)
      • MP3 Audio Files (*.mp3)
    • Limitations –
      • Maximum Cumulative Capacity of 100 MB

    • Workarounds –
      • If exceeded, once files have been viewed by your participants you can remove them from the library and continue loading subsequent files. If the limit is breached by a single file, you can use a 3rd party tool to split your multimedia file into multiple files that can then be loaded separately. 

  • Web Conferencing Whiteboard

    • Supported File Types –
      • Whiteboard files (.wbd and .wbp)
      • Powerpoint and OpenOffice.org Presentations
      • Image Files 
      • Screen Captures
      • Additions to the Clip Art Library

    • Workarounds –
      • If exceeded, once the slides have been presented to your participants you can remove them from the whiteboard and continue loading subsequent presentations. If the limit is breached by a single presentation, you can use simply re-save that presentation as multiple files that can then be loaded separately.
  • Web Conferencing File Transfer
    • Supported File Types –
      • Permits files to be uploaded to the server to be shared with everyone in the session
    • Limitations –
      • Maximum Cumulative Capacity of 10 MB

    • Workarounds
      • If exceeded, once files have been saved by your participants you can remove them from the library and continue loading subsequent files.


What if I experience technical difficulties? Who can I contact for support?

Please contact the Suffolk University Help Desk at (617) 557-2000, 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM ET, Mon - Fri.  If you need Wimba assistance outside of these hours, you may try our 24 Hour Blackboard and Horizon Wimba support line at 866-886-4861

 

 



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