Part of my electronic portfolio, this is a case study I developed in collaboration with a customer.

1. Preparing Students
for a Productive Life
Best Practices Before, During, and After
Your Live Session for Delivering
Creative Virtual Classroom Solutions

2. Framingham State University
Founded 1839 - Located 20 Miles West of Boston
6506 students (4489 undergrads – 2017 grad students)
25 Undergraduate Programs
26 Graduate Programs
Blackboard Customer since 2000
Blackboard Collaborate (previously Elluminate) since 2009
Online Learning since 1998
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3. Using the Virtual Classroom
• Synchronous content
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delivery
Real-time discussions
Guest speakers
Office hours
Lecture capture
Tutoring, Mentoring
Group collaboration
Recorded student presentations
Faculty training
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4. Deliver Distance Learning
Blackboard Collaborate is used to deliver distance learning
in online and hybrid courses.
"Through the use of Blackboard Collaborate, I am able to continue to
have direct, personal connections with my students on an individual
basis through "virtual office hours" as well as on a class-wide basis for
class meetings and lectures. I am able to communicate more naturally,
giving my lessons the same feel as in-class lessons. It is as if I am
physically present with the students.”
- Margaret Whitbeck, Instructor for Food and Nutrition,
Framingham State University
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5. Project Delivery
Framingham State faculty use Blackboard Collaborate to
deliver course content and also ask students to present their
course projects.
“In my Geography of the U.S. and Canada online course, I use
Blackboard Collaborate to have virtual online lectures with the students.
Throughout a typical 50-minute Blackboard Collaborate session, I display
graphics (such as maps and tables) and include annotation in the
graphics as well as share my desktop to display webpages. At the
conclusion of the course, I also require students to research a topic
related to one of the regions we have discussed and then present their
findings in their own recorded Blackboard Collaborate session.”
- David Merwin, Associate Professor Geography,
Framingham State University
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6. Virtual Guest Speaker
Blackboard Collaborate is used to bring guest speakers and
experts from around the world into online or face-to-face
classes.
"Inviting guest speakers to the classroom using web conferencing with
BB Collaborate gave students an opportunity to listen and interact with a
talented young designer employed by a multinational athletic footwear
conglomerate (headquartered on the west coast of the United States).
Students gained valuable insight and a deeper understanding of
important class concepts and described the experience as…interesting,
inspiring, enlightening, exciting, informative, worthwhile, creative,
excellent, and innovating!”
- Virginia Noon, Assistant Professor Fashion Design and
Retailing, Framingham State University
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7. Before
During
After
Eight Best Practices Before Your Session
1. Provide instructions on
5. Check equipment
how to use
2. Offer practice space for
participants
3. Identify mandatory
sessions on syllabus
4. Explain how each sessions
will be used in course
6. Rehearse session
7. Have all materials open and
ready
8. Set up grading (for a record
of participants)

8. Before
During
After
Ten Best Practices During Your Live Session
1. Join session 15-30 minutes
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
in advance
Pre-load session materials
Set up breakout rooms
Specify session start/end
times
Provide set-up steps for
participants
Set timer to count down to
session start
7. Display welcome screen
8. Turn off microphone when
not speaking
9. Use whiteboard space for
written questions,
assignment instructions,
brainstorming and
collaboration
10. Use application or desktop
sharing so participants can
see what you see

9. Before
During
After
Six Best Practices After Your Session
1. Archive recordings by
4. Save chat and participants
content area
2. Offer mobile access with
MP3 and MP4 recording
formats
3. Provide instructions for
recording access and
viewing
list
5. Preview recording
6. Track statistics (sessions,
attendees, recording views)
and results (rate of
adoption, student retention
and outcomes

10. Framingham State University
ITS- Education Technology Office
Email eto@framingham.edu

11. Stay connected.
Share your innovations.
Learn from others.