There has been a recent spate of 'bombing' attacks on online meetings across the world, with unregistered users joining and disrupting sessions. Stay safe when using Collaborate by reading our guide about the appropriate use of guest links.
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is web based online interactive session platform. It includes audio, video, text chat, an interactive whiteboard, PowerPoint display, application sharing, breakout rooms, polling and session recording.
Staff can access Collaborate Ultra via Minerva; a link to Collaborate Ultra can be added to ANY module or organisation. If you don't have access to an existing module or organisation see the Basics section on our FAQs.
In most cases staff will be best suited using an existing Minerva module or organisation (if module or school/programme related) to facilitate sessions.
Quickstart guides
We have created two new quickstart guides for staff who are new to Collaborate Ultra and need to start using it immediately:
To use Collaborate Ultra, a member of staff needs to set up a room in their Minerva module or organisation and then add a link to it so students can access it. If you want to invite participants from outside the University, this is also possible via a guest invitation URL.
Collaborate Ultra is web based meaning you don’t have to install any software to access it. For the best experience use the most recent version of Google Chrome or Firefox. IE 11 is not supported. Check the full list of supported browsers.
If you want to keep a copy of your Collaborate Ultra Session for students to review you can record it. Remember to check your students are happy to be recorded first though (there is an option to remove students' names from recordings but this has to be enabled before the session takes place.)
To sum up:
Use our Checklist to help you remember what you need to do before delivering a Collaborate Ultra Session.
Web based training sessions are being offered by OD&PL, which you can book via their website.