Virtual Classroom

The Virtual Classroom consists of all of the functionality included in the Lightweight Chat in addition to other features that may be used during an online collaboration session. The controls for these features, as well as the participation of users, are controlled by the Instructor through the session controls.
New features include:

- The ability to use math equations and scientific notation in the chat window - A group browser where participants can collaboratively browse the web - Class tours during which users can view course content and course tools

To participate in the Virtual Classroom collaboration session:
1. Follow the instructions for entering the collaboration area.
2. Next click the "join" button to the right of the Virtual Classroom session you would like to join. The Virtual Classroom will open in a new window (this may take a few moments).

To participate in the dialogue, type your message in the Compose dialogue box on the bottom right and then click the "Send" button.
To send a private message to a participant, highlight his/her name in the participant panel and then click on the Private Message button. A new window will appear where you can type and send your message.
The following additional features can be found in the Virtual Classroom:

Course Map: enables you to take "class tours" i.e. locate specific content in the course and view it along with the rest of the class.
Whiteboard: for creating and sharing text based information, diagrams and math equations.
Group Browser: for browsing sites as a group
Ask Questions: opens a box for asking questions
Question inbox: shows questions that have been sent to you.
User Info: for accessing user information.
Breakouts: for small group breakout sessions.

Tip: Set up a Course Menu links directly to collaboration meetings:

1. To set up a Course Menu links directly to collaboration meetings:
2. Go to the "Manage Course Menu" area of the control panel.
3. Add a "Tool Link"
4. Select "Collaboration" from the Type pull-down menu.
5. Click Submit

Tips and Tricks
When developing an activity that requires the Collaboration Tools, consider the following.

The Collaboration Tools are Java applications and may initially take a few moments to load into a browser window. Before developing assignments that require the collaboration tools, be sure that all Students have Java enabled browsers.
Due to the synchronous nature of the Collaboration Tools, multiple users must participate at the same time. Be sure to notify Students about a scheduled collaboration session to ensure attendance.
Sometimes a Collaboration session can be overwhelming if there are too many users. Consider grouping Students into several small groups to keep the conversation manageable.

Note: It is important to remember that Collaboration Sessions are not recorded and archived by default. The leader of the session must start the recorder to create an archive. For more information, please see Record Menu.

Macintosh and Accessible Collaboration Tool
An accessible version of the Collaboration Tool is available in the Blackboard Learning System. Users running Macintosh Operating System 8 or 9 should also use this version.

On the launch page, which opens when Join is selected on the Collaboration Sessions page, a link to this version appears. This link will open the Accessible version / Macintosh OS 8 and 9 version of the Collaboration Tool, which resembles the Lightweight Chat. Links to items that appear in the Virtual Classroom, such as items in the Course Map and Group Browser, will appear in this version. Documents created on the Whiteboard may be viewed if the Instructor takes a snapshot of them, using the Snapshot button on the Whiteboard action bar. A link will be created to the snapshot for users to view it.

When a user, using the Accessible Collaboration Tool, enters or exits the room the sound of a door opening or closing will be audible to all participants in the Collaboration Session.

Java Plug-in
The Java 2 Run Time Environment 1.3.1_04 or higher is required to use the Collaboration Tools. This plug-in may be downloaded from the page that appears when a user joins a Collaboration Session, or may be found at http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/index.html.

Users should take care to uninstall any existing Java plug-ins before installing a new version.