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Collaboration Tools
What it is.
The Blackboard Collaboration Tools allow the instructors and students to participate in real time lessons and discussions and also view archives of previous Collaboration sessions. The Collaboration Tools can be used to hold online classroom discussions, office hour type question/answer forums, and more. Guest speakers and subject matter experts can also communicate with the class using the Collaboration Tools.
Implications for Teaching and Learning.
If students have trouble getting to on-campus advising sessions, you may want to institute virtual office hours through the lightweight chat feature. Chat can also facilitate real-time learning with guest speakers who can’t make it to campus, allow distance students to interact with you and their classmates, and enable small group discussion and transcripted presentations.
The following Collaboration Tools are available:
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Chat (Office Hours)
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This component allows students, groups of students, and instructors to discuss a topic in real-time.
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Participants in a chat session can debate an issue. Instructors can give immediate feedback.
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Virtual Classroom
(Lecture Hall)
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A real time (synchronous) facility featuring chat, as well as a Whiteboard that students and instructors can use for illustrative purposes. Also allows users to access the
Web; and engage in question and answer sessions.
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Instructors can use to explain concepts and show models interactively with students.
Students can ask questions and receive feedback in real time.
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Setting It Up.
Virtual Classroom and Chat - Preparation
1. Both Collaboration tools are found in the same areas. You can access either tool by using the link under the Tools box under the Course Menu items or by going to the Control Panel and under the Course Tools use the Collaboration link.
2. To test the Virtual Classroom on your computer to see if it is working. Use either method to browse to the Collaboration tools.
3. Once in the Collaboration Sessions there are the two tools, the Virtual Classroom and Chat. To the right of the Virtual Classroom tool is a Join button, Click the Join button to start the session.
4. A new Tab will open in your Browser with your Virtual Classroom. If you cannot see the Tab or are having any difficulties click on the Java Plugin link to see if this will resolve your issue. If you need an Accessible version click on the link to launch the Accessible version of the Virtual Classroom. Also if you have Pop Up Blockers, you may have to turn them off.
5. Click on the new Tab to see the Virtual Classroom screen to see if you were succesful in launching the Tool.
Virtual Classroom Menu
Menu Bar - Allows the Session Admin to control the Virtual Classroom.
View - Allows for the customization of the chat display.
Controls - Allows moderator to change session mode and end the session.
Clear - Allows moderator to clear either local display or display for all users.
End - Ends the current session.
Breakouts - Allows users to create a new breakout session with selected users.
Archiving Sessions
Click the record archive button (circle button in upper right; when selected, the button is shaded) in the window of an active collaboration session before it will be archived. Archiving begins only at the point that the button is clicked; any messages posted before this point will not be archived.
By default, students are not able to view collaboration archives. Instructors can change this setting only after an archive has been created:
Making a Session Archive Available to Students
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From the Course Tools section of the site's Control Panel, click Collaboration. The Collaboration Sessions page opens.
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Click the Archives button for the appropriate session. The Session Archives page opens.
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Click the Manage button for the appropriate archive. The Archive Properties window opens.
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Under section 2, Availability to Students, click Yes.
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Click Submit. Click OK to return to the Session Archives page or use the links at the top of the window to navigate to the Collaboration sessions page or to the Control Panel.
Classroom Tools
The Classroom Tool box appears on the left side of the Virtual Classroom. To begin using items in the Tool box click the name of the tool.
Whiteboard - Enables users to present different types of information as they would on a blackboard in a classroom.
Group Browser - Enables users to collaboratively browse the Web.
Course Map /Organization Map - Enables users to browse the Course or Organization contents while they are in a Virtual Classroom.
Ask Question - Enables users to ask questions during the session.
Question Inbox - Enables users to answer questions submitted by other users during a session.
Chat - Allows users to compose messages, raise their hands to ask questions, and activate private messages.
The Whiteboard enables users in a Virtual Classroom to present different types of information as they would on a blackboard in a classroom. Using the tools in the Whiteboard Tools palette, users can draw images, type text, and present equations.
Chat
The Chat alows the users to interact with each other via a text-based chat. Chat is part of the Virtual Classroom but, can be accessed seperately.
1. You can access Chat by using the link under the Tools box under the Course Menu items or by going to the Control Panel and under the Course Tools use the Collaboration link. Once in the Collaboration Session click on the Join button on the far right column.
2. Like the Virtual Classroom there will be a page that will prompt you to either help with any Java load issues or help to guide you through the Accessibilty issues. If you are set up properly and have no other computer issues the Chat window should appear as well.
3. Menu Bar - Allows the Session Admin to control the Chat
View - Allows for the customization of the chat display.
Controls - Allows moderator to change session mode and end the session.
Clear - Allows moderator to clear either local display or display for all users.
End - Ends the current session.
Breakouts - Aloows users to create a new breakout session with selected users.
Archiving Sessions
Click the record archive button (circle button in upper right; when selected, the button is shaded) in the window of an active collaboration session before it will be archived. Archiving begins only at the point that the button is clicked; any messages posted before this point will not be archived.
By default, students are not able to view collaboration archives. Instructors can change this setting only after an archive has been created:
Making a Session Archive Available to Students
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From the Course Tools section of the site's Control Panel, click Collaboration. The Collaboration Sessions page opens.
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Click the Archives button for the appropriate session. The Session Archives page opens.
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Click the Manage button for the appropriate archive. The Archive Properties window opens.
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Under section 2, Availability to Students, click Yes.
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Click Submit. Click OK to return to the Session Archives page or use the links at the top of the window to navigate to the Collaboration sessions page or to the Control Panel.
1. To send a message type within the compose area and hit enter or click on the send arrow on the right side of the compose box. You will be limited to 1000 characters.
2. To become an active user click on the Hand icon and the Moderator will select you to become active.
3. To view User information select the participant and click on the User Info (blue i) icon to see information.
4. To send a private message to a participant. Select a Username in the Participant list and then click Private Message.
See also...
Active Learning
Feedback
Formative Feedback
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