Blackboard Collaborate: Moderator’s Checklist

Blackboard Collaborate

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is a web conferencing tool. To learn more:

Blackboard Collaborate: Start with the Basics

 

How to use this checklist

 

This checklist is designed to be a quick guide to help you get started with Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. The checklist includes links to useful resources and tools. Please use this checklist as starting point and add to, and personalise the list based on your session requirements. Download this Blackboard Collaborate Checklist

 

Session preparation

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1. Equipment required  
  • Headphones with microphone (to avoid audio feedback)
  • Webcam (if you wish to be seen by others)
2. Create a new Collaborate Ultra Session on Blackboard or use your existing Course Room

See guide Blackboard Collaborate: Setting up Collaborate in Your Course
3. Choose your session settings

Decide what students joining your session will be able to do. See guide Blackboard Collaborate: Session Settings
3. Send session details and instructions to participants

Via a Blackboard announcement or email.

Include the following:
  • Session date and time
  • Joining instructions and include participate resources for using Collaborate Ultra
  • Check if participants have accessibility needs
  •  Etiquette – outline your expectations for online session conduct
4. Send instructions to Guest speakers (if applicable)

See guide: Invite Guests to a Session
5. Practice using collaborate features in advance

See Blackboard Collaborate Ultra interface quick guide – Blackboard Collaborate: Managing Sessions
6. Prepare your session materials including:
  • Create a detailed session plan include timings and moderator roles
  • Resources such as slides, quizzes, graphics, links to videos etc.
  • Etiquette and session instruction information
  • Create any poll questions with accompanying slides
7. Enlist help – having an assistant to text chat and answer participant questions during the session is recommended
8. Book a quiet space with wired internet (preferred) or Wi-Fi connection to hold the session

 

 

At least 30 minutes before the session

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9. Load your slides and resources to the session space (via Blackboard)

See guide – Blackboard Collaborate: Share Content

  
10. Clear your screen of applications / private documents not needed for the sessions (especially important if sharing your screen)  
11. Join the session at least 20 minutes before the scheduled start time.  Tip: mute your audio /mic before until you start the session.  
12. Settings checks  
 
  • Check you have given moderator / presenter rights to your co-moderator and/or guest speaker
  
  • Choose whether you want  participants to be able to speak or be seen in the session
  
  • Set sharing requirements for drawing on the whiteboard content
  
  • Create breakout rooms for group work if required
  
  • Check participants can enter a scheduled session early to carry out their checks (the default setting is 15 minutes prior to the session starting)
    • If you are using the default Course Room, check that it is Unlocked to allow participants to join the room
  
13. Welcome message – provide a Welcome slide with the session start time and participant instructions to check their settings and equipment.

 

 

At the start of the session

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14. Greet participants as they join the session via text chat or audio  
15. Remind participants to test their microphone and speakers  
16. Give a brief overview of the Collaborate Ultra tool and how to use it during the session, including using to text chat and icons (i.e. raise hand)  
17. Remind participants the session will be recorded (if applicable) and that the recording maybe viewed by people who have not taken part in the session.  
18. Start recording (if applicable) – Blackboard Collaborate: Recording Sessions  
19. Guide participants throughout the session and remind them how they can interact and locate features on the Collaborate interface  

 

End of the session

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20. End the recording  
21. Get participant feedback – post a slide / poll / or survey link at the end of the session (if applicable)  
22. Save a copy of the whiteboard pages and chat (if required)  

 

After the session

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23. Session capture – Remind students that session recordings are available and where to find them in the Blackboard course  
24. Future improvements – note ‘what went well’ and ‘what could be improved for future’. Add your notes and changes to this checklist.  

Page last updated on February 11, 2022 by Peter Moll

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