New virtual classroom system

Staff can now access a new virtual classroom service, recently launched by Information Services (IS), on MyEd.

The new updated product, Blackboard Collaborate, will enable online classroom and meeting events for the whole University.

Replacing Wimba Virtual Classroom, Blackboard Collaborate will also support the Distance Education Initiative.

Benefits

Virtual classrooms provide online teaching, learning or meeting spaces that enable real-time interactions.

Key benefits of the Blackboard Collaborate system include:

• the capacity to host an unlimited number of participants in a virtual room
• participant chat and audio/video communications
• multiple webcams display
• the facility for users to upload documents, present slideshows, access an interactive whiteboard and share desktops, applications and websites
• recording sessions.

University-wide uses

The new system is already being used to host synchronous tutorials and seminars in online teaching, host research meetings and recruit students through virtual open days.

Great feedback from our first tutor who has just used Collaborate via Learn - no glitches for staff or students. Nice one IS!