Convenience
- Tool is available for instructors in course shell.
- User-friendly features for participants like the ability to share video and audio, raise hand, and send chat messages (with emoji’s).
- Instructors can create single, multiple or repeating sessions.
Control over session
- All instructors in the course are automatically set up as moderators within a session.
- This gives them full control over the session, even if they did not create the session.
Tools for synchronous learning
- Virtual whiteboard, chat, screen-share, audio and video stream, polling, and breakout groups.
- Instructors can upload documents into meeting space prior to start of session.
Files and other content easily shared with participants
- Upload files (images, PowerPoints, and PDF’s) prior to start of session using “Share Files” feature.
- Moderator and participants can add annotations to uploaded files.
- Send links and files real-time to participants using the “Chat” feature.
- Moderators and participants can easily copy and/or save content written on the virtual whiteboard.
- Screen share function allows instructor to easily display PowerPoints, documents, websites, or videos.
Security
- Users access sessions through their Blackboard course or a secure link.
- Moderators can manually remove users from sessions.
No downloads or plug-ins needed
- Users have immediate access to session from their Blackboard course or by a guest link.
Large scale session options
- Can host sessions with over 250 participants.
- No time limitations for sessions.
No limit on number of recordings
- Recordings do not reduce course storage space.
- Recording links easily embedded into course materials.
Upward scalability
- Network adapts to increased traffic by rescaling to maintain session quality.
- In sessions with enhanced demand – multiple video streams, weakened internet connection, etc. – video will typically disconnect first in order to
prevent dropping users from session.
Ability to check participant connectivity
- Moderators can check indicator for internet quality of each user to monitor the quality of the user’s experience.
No need to find outside storage or hosting
- Recordings are located within the course and can be added to other course shells.
- Users can access the recordings either by tool link within the course or by receiving a link to the recording.
Limitations
- On-screen users are limited to four profiles at one time.
- Disabled tools due to recent increase of usage