Gangwish Library: Resources for Remote Learning: Collaborate Video Meetings

Self-Service Documentation

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Getting Started with Collaborate for Participants
This page explains the basics for using Collaborate for class.
Find Your Way Around
Learn how to use the tools for your class session(s) in Collaborate.
Watch Recordings
It may take 1-24 hours for a recording to become available in your Blackboard course. This resource explains how to find and watch recordings.
Call into a Collaborate Session
You can call in to Collaborate sessions if your microphone or computer audio is not working properly, or if you do not have a speaker and/or microphone.
Collaborate International Dial-In Numbers
Use this resource if you are an international student who needs to dial-in to a Collaborate session for audio.
Join Collaborate via Blackboard App
You can join a Collaborate session from the Blackboard App. Please use a device with as large of screen as possible so that you can read any course materials shared in the session.
Present in Sessions
Your instructor can allow you to upload, share, edit, and stop sharing content. You can also see hand raise notifications and can lower hands.

Academic Continuity Technical Support

Faculty and Students Experiencing Disruption of Class can contact us:

Hotline: 785-248-2505

Email: ouacademictech@ottawa.edu
(answered 8 AM to 10 PM Central Time M-F)

Getting Started with Collaborate

Collaborate is a video meeting platform that is available in your Blackboard course shell. Your instructor might use it for class sessions, office hours or virtual presentations. It is entirely web-based which means you do not need to install a program on your device. Your instructor should communicate with you in a course announcement and/or email if they will be using Collaborate for your class.

To access Collaborate from your Blackboard course, click on the Video Meeting Rooms (Collaborate) area of your course. This takes you to a page where you can join the Course Room or a scheduled session that your instructor set up. Contact your instructor if you have questions about how to join your class meeting.

Collaborate is also available under the My Tools area of your course (called Blackboard Collaborate Ultra).

Preparing for a Collaborate Session

Check your OU Student Email and your instructor's Announcements for class details.
Prepare a quiet space with good lighting and desk space for your device, textbook and other course materials.
Use a device with webcam and microphone (computer with headset best). Use the largest screen possible so you can see.
Connect with a wired internet connection if possible, and close unneeded applications that use internet.
Login to your Blackboard course shell using Chrome or Firefox (no Internet Explorer or Edge).
At least 15 minutes before the start of class get device ready to join the room. This allows you to make sure your microphone and audio are working properly.
Click on the Video Meetings (Collaborate) menu in your Blackboard course to open Collaborate.
Depending on your professor’s instructions, join the Course Room or Class Session that will be used for class.

Exploring the Tools

Click on the hotspots to learn more about the tools in the Collaborate platform.