Collaborate Ultra - Sharing Content

Owned by Stephanie Hossbach (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Mar 17, 2020
4 min read

You can share your desktop screen, upload content such as PowerPoint presentations, or use a white board to collaborate with students.

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Sharing Content

To share content, open the ‘Collaborate Menu’ and then select the 'Share Content' icon.

 

Share Your Desktop or an Application

Select the “Share Application/Screen” option. Then select to share either your screen, an application window, or a specific browser tab (if you are using Chrome).

When you share your desktop or application everyone in the session and everyone viewing the recording later will be able to see it. Make sure to close any windows and applications you don't want others to see before starting to share.

Application Sharing is currently not available for mobile devices. If you wish to share your screen or application, please use a desktop computer.

Accessibility Note: Moderators and presenters must select ‘Share Files’ and upload files to Collaborate for screen readers to access the text. Screen Readers are unable to read Desktop or Application Sharing.

Share PowerPoint Slides or Other Files

To share powerpoint slides, use the ‘Share Files’ option for the best student experience. This will allow all attendees to view the slides no matter the speed of their network connection. To do this:

Select the “Share Files” option and then choose your powerpoint file(s) (you can drag and drop or browse your computer).

Select “Share Now” when you are ready for students to view the files.

In addition to PowerPoint files, you can also share image files (GIF, JPEG, PNG) or PDFs.

Accessibility Note: Moderators and presenters must select Share Files and upload the files to Collaborate for screen readers to access the text. Screen Readers are unable to read Desktop or Application Sharing.

 

Pre-Loading Files for a Session

You can pre-load files to a session. This is especially helpful if you may not be able to join the session. To do this, just change the session to start now, load the files, then change the session start time back to the original time. When students join the session later, the files will already be there.

Marking Up Files

You can use the Collaborate Editing Tools (pointer, text, pencil, etc.) to mark up a file during a live session. You can also modify the Session Settings to allow students to mark up the files too. To change the session settings go to the “Collaborate Menu” and then select the settings icon.

Setting a Timer for Presentations

To set a timer for presentations, go back to the “Collaborate Menu”, select “Share Content”, and then “Timer”.

You can set the timer so that everyone in the session can see it, or just make it visible to you and any other moderators.

Share Audio and Video

Blackboard Collaborate supports sharing of audio and video. This allows you to share an audio or video file, such as a YouTube video, and all attendees will be able to hear and see the material together.

*Currently this feature is only available if you are using the Chrome browser

To share audio/video:

Windows

On Windows, you can share all audio on your desktop, such as YouTube videos or files you have on your computer.

  1. From a Chrome browser, open the Collaborate panel and select the Share Content tab.

  2. Select Share Application/Screen.

  3. Select the Entire Screen or Chrome Tab option.

  4. If you select the Chrome Tab option, choose the tab you want to share from the list.

  5. Select the Share audio check box.

  6. Select Share.

Mac OS

On the Mac OS, you can only share video audio and audio files from a Chrome tab. Share video from sites like YouTube. Or open video and audio files you have on your computer in a new Chrome tab to share them. 

  1. From a Chrome browser, open the Collaborate panel and select the Share Content tab.

  2. Select Share Application/Screen.

  3. Select the Chrome Tab option.

  4. Select the Share audio check box.

  5. Choose the tab you want to share from the list.

  6. Select Share.

 

Share Whiteboard

A virtual whiteboard allows you to draw or take notes for everyone to see. To share a virtual whiteboard, select the “Share Blank Whiteboard” option.

You can use the Collaborate Editing Tools (pointer, text, pencil, etc.) to mark up a whiteboard during a live session. You can also modify the ‘Session Settings’ to allow students to mark up the whiteboard too. To change the session settings go to the “Collaborate Menu” and then select the settings icon.

 

Source: Blackboard Help - Collaborate Ultra Moderator Help. Retrieved from https://help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Moderator/Moderate_Sessions

 

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