Blackboard

Blackboard Communication Tools: Virtual Classroom/Chat

 

In the Virtual Classroom, users can ask questions, draw on the whiteboard, and participate in breakout sessions from the Virtual Classroom. The Session Admin establishes which tools in the Virtual Classroom users can access. In addition to the Virtual Classroom, there is a stand alone chat function also accessible within Blackboard. The Virtual Classroom is almost identical to the chat, but has more functionality and features added.

To Access the Virtual Classroom or a Chat session, Click Communication on the Course Menu. Next, select Collaboration. Finally, click Join next to either a Virtual Classroom or Chat session.

How to Use Virtual Classroom/Chat

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar is located on the top of the Virtual Classroom. The Menu Bar Allows the Session Admin to control the Virtual Classroom. This includes managing controls, monitoring breakout sessions, and ending the session.

Archiving

At the far right of the menu bar are buttons used to record and archive the classroom and chat sessions. By clicking the record button, all chat informations, questions received/answered, and URLs accessed in the Group Browser will be archived. These archives can be viewed from Collaboration Sessions by clicking Recordings (next to the appropriate virtual classroom).

Chat

Chat is located at the bottom of the Virtual Classroom. Chat allows users to compose messages, raise their hands to ask questions, and activate private messages.

Classroom Tools

The Classroom Tool box is located on the in the left-center of the Virtual Classroom. The Classroom Tool box contains all of the tools used during the Virtual Classroom session. This includes searching for Web sites, asking and answering questions, utilizing the Whiteboard, and accessing the Course Map.

Course Map

The Course Map enables participants to browse the Course Contents while they are in a Virtual Classroom (Note: only the content areas can be viewed). By default, the Instructor has access to operate the Course Map.

Whiteboard

The Whiteboard enables the Instructor and participants to present information during a Virtual Classroom session as they would on a blackboard in a classroom. Using the Tools palette in the Whiteboard, an Instructor can draw images, type text, and present equations. The Whiteboard Tool bar enables users to manipulate items on the Whiteboard and to take a picture of the Whiteboard for the archive.

Group Browser

The Group Browser enables participants to collaboratively browse the Web during a Virtual Classroom session. The Instructor uses this tool to open a URL in a new browser window for all participants. URLs viewed in the session will be recorded in the archive if one is created.

Ask Question

The Ask Question feature enables participants to ask questions during a Virtual Classroom session. As participants submit questions during the session the Instructor can view and respond to them through the Question Inbox.

Instructors may use the Ask Question feature, but only Students who have been granted Access Rights to the Question Inbox through the Session Controls will be able to view them.

Question Inbox

Questions from participants to the Instructor are sent to the Question Inbox during the Virtual Classroom session. The Instructor uses the Question Inbox to manage questions and respond to them during a Collaboration Session.