Share Content allows a Moderator to upload content for display at any point during the session. The Content Editing tool allows for annotation of shared files during a session.
Tip: Moderators can open a session at any time prior to its release and pre-load the files they want to share. These files stay in the session until deleted by a moderator and can be reused. |
Moderators and Presenters can upload GIF, JPEG and PNG images, PDF files, or PowerPoint presentations of 60MB or lower to a session. Moderators can also upload multiple presentations, however the total size allowed is 125 MB or lower for any particular session.
As part of the upload process, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra will convert PowerPoint slides into static images. Animations and transitions will be lost during this process.
Tip: The upload and conversion process can take some time to complete. For this reason, we recommend uploading large files in advance of the actual session. |
Tip: We typically see issues with users attempting to upload large PowerPoint files (over 60MB). Using large, un-optimised images in slides can make a PowerPoint larger than it needs to be. Consider compressing the images in your slides to reduce file size. To do this:
(Alternatively, convert the PowerPoint file to a PDF. This is usually enough to reduce the file size so that the document can be uploaded to Blackboard Collaborate Ultra). |
To upload a file to Blackboard Collaborate Ultra for sharing:
To share the file(s) you’ve uploaded the Share Files list:
Once a file is being shared, moderators and session presenters can see what file is currently being shared and move between uploaded files without stopping the file share.
Navigation tools will display below shared files that include multiple pages, such as PowerPoint slide decks, or PDF files, allowing the Moderator or Presenter to navigate forward and backward through the various pages of the file.
To navigate to a particular slide or page:
If the Draw on whiteboard and files permission is enabled in the Session Settings, participants may employ the Content Editing tools to annotate the shared file.
As a Moderator, you can use all the available Content Editing tools even if the permission has been disabled for Participants.
Once sharing begins, users can also use the Show/Hide View Controls toggle to display resizing tools.
Note: The Media Space view is unique to each user, so zooming in on your view does not zoom the view for participants. |
Taking each of the View Controls from left to right:
To Stop Sharing a File:
The Whiteboard is used for collaboration between session participants, who can interact with the content using the whiteboard tools. Use the Whiteboard to create interactive activities to engage participants, conduct brainstorming activities and save the Whiteboard to share it with all participants after the session.
To begin sharing the Whiteboard with the Participants:
To save a Whiteboard for use after the session:
Application Sharing allows Moderators and Participants (who have been granted sharing permissions) to share their screen or software application during a session.
For example:
Note: Application sharing should work with any modern browser that supports Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC). See our Browser Requirements section for more information on supported browsers. |
Any session attendee with the Moderator or Presenter roles can Application Share.
Note: A session Moderator can promote any Participant to the role of Presenter or Moderator for the purposes of sharing their application/screen. We recommend that Participants are promoted to Presenter only, as Moderator access gives anyone with this role the ability to end the current session. |
Tip: In advance of an Application Sharing session, you’ll need to open all the applications/files you want to share. Make sure your computer/device is capable of running multiple applications at once without significant slowdown. Application sharing is the most processor intensive feature in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. |
Tip: For the best results when application sharing, we recommend a strong, stable broadband internet connection. Preferably a wired ethernet connection. |
To start a share:
Select the Share button.
Note: When Moderators and Presenters share a video using the Google Chrome browser, Participants will be able to hear the audio - if the Share Audio checkbox is selected. |
As you navigate through the application, participants will see your mouse move and the changes as they are being made to the displayed content. The service is fully secure, and you are always in control of what is shared and when. While running an Application Share, a Moderator/Presenter can continue to use the program or desktop as usual.
Tip: Close all unnecessary applications before the session begins. To prevent interruptions from pop-up messages, close Outlook (web mail and client) and Skype for Business. |
Once sharing begins, users can use the Show/Hide View Controls toggle to display resizing tools.
Tip: The Media Space view is user specific, so zooming in on your view does not zoom in the Participant view. |
To stop application/screen sharing:
By default, Participants do not have permission to use Application Sharing. In order to give them Application Sharing permissions, the Moderator may promote any Participant to either the Moderator or Presenter role, via the Attendee Controls menu.
To do this:
Select the ellipsis icon to the right of the Participant’s name and select Make Presenter or Make Moderator to promote the Participant.
Tip: If possible, identify those Participants you will be promoting to Presenter/Moderator before the ‘live’ session and test how well they can Application Share in a separate ‘Test’ Blackboard Collaborate Session. This will help identify any potential issues and give you time to resolve them. |
The new Share Camera option in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra gives the Moderator/Presenter the ability to share more than one camera with participants.
For example, you can share your webcam video and share another camera connected to your computer showing an experiment, or the feed from a visualiser. Attendees can see you and anything else you want to show.
Note: The number of cameras and USB ports you have - and that your computer can power and support – are the only limit to the number of cameras you can share. |
To start a share:
One way to add interactivity to a session, gauge student understanding and get live feedback, is by using the Polling feature in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.
Tip: Remember to create your poll before the session begins! |
To add a poll to your Blackboard Collaborate Ultra session:
To close the poll and show participant responses:
To facilitate small group collaboration, you can create Breakout Groups that are separate from the main room and assign participants to them.
To create a Breakout Group in your Blackboard Collaborate Ultra session:
To manually assign participants to groups: