Web Conference Tool

Blackboard Collaborate is a web conferencing tool that allows a group of users, small or large, to meet synchronously online in a collaborative space and communicate with each other via web, voice, video conferencing, and instant messaging. Similar to other web conferencing tools such as Webex and Microsoft Lync, Collaborate distinguishes itself by offering more tools focused on pedagogy as well as its ability to seamlessly integrate into your Blackboard courses. Additionally, Blackboard Collaborate is available for use outside the Blackboard environment to the entire Pace community for student, staff and administrative functions. Collaborate sessions can also be recorded which lends itself as a useful tool for lecture capture recording, creating video tutorials or online training materials.

The Blackboard Collaborate tool is currently available for use through your Blackboard courses. You can access it by going to the “Tools” section of your course where you will see it listed. From there you have the ability to create a new session. While we do encourage faculty to test and evaluate the tool for themselves, we strongly advise you to access the resources we have provided below prior to using Collaborate. As with many of these new and robust technologies available today, training and practice are the keys to a successful implementation.

Audio and video are supported for Collaborate sessions. A headset with microphone works best to minimize audio feedback and echo or, just using headphones to listen to the audio (as opposed to external speakers) along with a computer microphone is also recommended. Once you have accessed the session we recommend using the audio setup wizard within the “Tools” menu to ensure good quality. **For those who do not have a microphone enabled on their computer you can still communicate via the chat tool.

This site below has numerous resources (including recorded demos) pertaining to Blackboard Collaborate, click here.

The following site can be used to determine if the computer you are using meets the necessary system requirements, click here.

To access a recorded demo of an informal introductory session that we facilitated here at Pace, click here.
(Allow for a few moments to load and be sure to hit the “play” button at the bottom of the interface)

For more information, training opportunities or if you have any questions on Blackboard Collaborate, please feel free to contact:

Joe Seijo, jseijo@pace.edu
Assistant Director - CTLT