Online Classroom

• Online Classroom
• First time users: Getting started with Online Classroom
• Joining your Online Classroom via the mobile app
• Ensuring Blackboard Collaborate works for you
• Support
  • What to do if your Online Classroom goes down

Online Classroom

Blackboard Collaborate is the tool that powers CDU’s Online Classroom. It provides a comprehensive learning platform, incorporating web conferencing, instant messaging, voice authoring tools and now mobile web conferencing.

• *NEW* Mobile Online Classroom key features:
  • The following devices are supported (all require iOS 4.3 or later):
    • iPhone 3GS
    • iPhone 4
    • iPhone 4S
    • iPhone 5 iPod Touch (3rd, 4th & 5th generation)
    • iPad
  • Join Online Classrooms from iPhone or iPad only
  • Free Blackboard Collaborate Mobile App
  • Interact via text chat and two-way audio
  • View whiteboard content and shared applications
  • Use emoticons, hand raising, polls, breakout rooms
  • Breakout rooms
    NB: The mobile app does not have all the features that you would find in Online Classroom on a desktop. For more details, see Joining your Online Classroom via the mobile app.
• Online Classroom key features:
  • *NEW* Echo cancellation with no special equipment needed
  • *NEW* Improved chat features and enhanced closed captioning
  • *NEW* Ability for low bandwidth users to avoid video streaming
  • Web conferencing
  • Interactive whiteboard
  • Multi point video
  • Two way audio
  • Breakout rooms
  • Recording
  • Application and desktop sharing
• Instant Messaging key features:
  • Presence and instant messaging
  • Desktop video conferencing and VoIP audio
  • Convenient, invitations to chat
  • Whiteboard and application sharing with queued chat for lecturer to provide tutoring and online office hours
  • Universal accessibility and advanced privacy features
• Voice Authoring key features:
  • Voice Presentation: for lecturer to present engaging learning materials.
  • Voice Board: A discussion board where you can post and listen to voice messages.
  • Voice Podcaster: Your lecturer can create or upload podcasts to which you can subscribe.
  • Voice Email: Send and listen to voice through email messages.

First time users: Getting started with Online Classroom

Joining your Online Classroom

Prior to joining a session; have your microphone headset plugged in. We recommend using a USB microphone headset rather than speakers. This will improve your online classroom experience.

To join an Online Classroom please use the following steps as a guide. Ensure you follow any additional instructions your lecturer provides in your unit.

Step 1 Select your session

Following the instructions provided by your lecturer, you will see the Blackboard Collaborate list page. Select the relevant online classroom session and wait while your session is launched.

Step 2 Opening the JNLP file

When the "Opening join.jnlp" window appears, click to "Open with Java..." and click OK. Wait for Java to load. (This may take a few minutes, so please be patient.)

When the security message comes up, check the "Always trust content from this publisher" box and click Run.

Step 3 Blackboard Collaborate loading window

The Blackboard Collaborate loading window will appear. If this is your first time logging into Blackboard Collaborate you will need to accept the Blackboard Collaborate participant agreement. You will then encounter a connection speed window. Select your current connection type(eg. Cable/DSL; Wireless), then click OK.

Step 4 Audio Setup Wizard

Upon entering your session, please run the audio setup wizard to configure your audio devices.

 

Joining your Online Classroom via the mobile app

Prior to joining a session; ensure you have downloaded the free Blackboard Collaborate Mobile App from the App Store.

The following devices are supported (all require iOS 4.3 or later):

• iPhone 3GS
• iPhone 4
• iPhone 4S
• iPhone 5
• iPod Touch (3rd, 4th & 5th generation)
• iPad

To join a session on your mobile device:

1. Using a Mobile web browser
   1. Launch your mobile browser and log into Learnline
   2. Select the relevant unit and link to Blackboard Collaborate
   3. Clicking the link to the session will automatically enter the appropriate information in the Blackboard Collaborate Session URL text box
   4. Enter your name and click Join Session
2. From Mobile Learnline
   1. Launch Mobile Learnline and login
   2. Select the relevant unit and link to Blackboard Collaborate
   3. Clicking the link to the session will automatically enter the appropriate information in the Blackboard Collaborate Session URL text box
   4. Enter your name and click Join Session

For detailed instruction follow the step by step instructions in the Mobile Users Guide to join your classroom from your iPhone or iPad.

Ensuring Blackboard Collaborate works for you

To provide the best possible online classroom experience we recommend:

• Don't run other applications while viewing a class (eg. email, music etc.).
• Avoid downloading large files in the background.
• Permit Blackboard Collaborate in your personal firewall settings
• Remember to use earphones and microphone when using the Mobile Application

Support

CDU provides access to a 24hr, 7day/week central support desk for Learnline, Online Classroom, Instant Messaging and Voice tools. To access support, please choose from the following options.

1. Call our 1 800 559 347 telephone support service, then follow the prompts, once your call has been answered.
2. Send an email to learnlinesupport@cdu.edu.au
3. Contact our online help support desk via our customised support portal

Prior to making a support request CDU recommends that you;

1. Check that your computer meets the system requirements
2. Clear your internet browser cache
3. And finally to enable us to best support your request please have your Student ID number ready prior to making the call.