Online Learning:

Setting up your online classroom –a user’s guide

Before we start:

▪ Click on the following link to get an overview of Blackboard Ultra and how it can be used with your students:

▪ https://en-us.help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Participant/010_Get_Started/Start_Here_With_The_Basics!

Getting Started:

▪ Log in to your classroom with the following link:

▪ https://ca-sas.bbcollab.com/site/internal/logout/user

▪ Your username and password are your SOH e-mail and password.

▪ Note: The most compatible browser is Google Chrome.

Create a session:

▪ Login and select ‘Schedule a Meeting’

▪ Carefully choose your ‘Session Name’ so that students looking for the recording can easily access your file.

▪ Click ‘Create the Session’ and a notification will be sent through first class to you. There will be a link for the moderator and another link to invite students to the session.

Your classroom at a glance:

Here is a glimpse of your online classroom before any content has been shared or any students have entered the space.

Using your audio and video features

▪ Once you are in your session you will see icons at the bottom of your screen which control your audio and video. Click on the icon to turn these features on and off as you deem necessary during the session.

▪ For detailed instructions on use and how to check audio and video for problems see link below:

▪ https://en-us.help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Participant/010_Get_Started/Audio_and_Video_Set_Up#Know_when_you_are_.22on_air.22

Roles within the online classroom:

▪ There are three roles in the online classroom:

▪ Moderator- has full control over the room and it’s content; they can create the session, give and take away privileges and remove participants from the room

▪ Presenter- allows students or others to upload and share content; works well when you want students to present or share their work

▪ Participant- is able to view and use audio and video features; they can also use the chat feature; the moderator controls the amount of tools they can access in the room and also when they have access

Tips for interacting in online environments:

▪ Teachers:

▪ Be in your session early to upload content and be ready to greet students as they enter

▪ Greet each student that joins the session.

▪ Be a model for students regarding interaction, turn-taking, noting when a hand is raised and keeping up with the chat window for those without a mic.

▪ Maintain proper eye contact and remain focused on the session.

▪ Students:

▪ Join the session on time, better yet be a few minutes early in case you have audio or video troubles.

▪ You are face to face with your peers and your teacher, so make a good impression.

▪ Don’t talk over others or interrupt.

▪ Raise your hand if you want to speak but there is no opportunity because of an ongoing conversation.

▪ Put your mic on mute if you are not talking.

How to navigate the classroom:

The link below goes through the online classroom and the ins and outs of how we interact in the space.

https://youtu.be/SQH-SkjMGOU?t=20

What we already know when working with technology is that it’s a steep learning curve and little mistakes can lead to big problems. Stay calm and search out a solution. This can be as easy as a google search or an e-mail or call to a colleague who has already worked through this problem.

Tools available within Blackboard Ultra:

▪ Media space tools – These are the tools used on the main screen and they include: audio, video, hand raise, collaborate panel, session menu, follow the speaker view, grid view, picture-in-picture view and status options

▪ Content editing tools – they are the tools you will use during your online interaction with students, they include: select arrow, pointer, pencil, clear (erase), text, shapes, view controls, zoom in/out, move between slides and close content on the screen

▪ Session menu tools- these tools are for the moderator only and include: record a session, blackboard help, report a problem, use your phone for audio, and exit the session

▪ Collaborate panel tools- accessed on the bottom right of the screen, pink tab, they include: chat, participants, share content, whiteboard, application or files and my settings

▪ For a summary of all available tools click the link below:

▪ https://en-us.help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Moderator/010_Get_Started/Use_The_Tools

Advanced Interaction Tools:

Polling

https://en-us.help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Moderator/040_Collaboration/Polling#Watch_a_video_about_polls

Breakout Groups

https://en-us.help.blackboard.com/Collaborate/Ultra/Moderator/040_Collaboration/Breakout_groups

It’s a process…

Within the BB learning system there are more advanced options for creating a space which holds content and tests and connects with PowerSchool for grading . In time we may take advantage of these more advanced features of the program. For a preview have a look at the link below:

http://www.blackboard.com/learning-management-system/blackboard-learn-features.aspx