This document provides information on using Blackboard Collaborate to create effective online sessions. It outlines the features of Blackboard Collaborate such as audio/video capabilities, chat, content upload, whiteboard, screen sharing, polling, breakout rooms, and recording sessions. It also discusses getting started by creating sessions in the tools section of Blackboard, allowing outside participants, and pre-loading content. Finally, it provides contacts for help and highlights the benefits of blended learning being flexibility, convenience, and increased opportunities for interaction found in hybrid classes.

1. Creating and Planning Effective Online
Sessions with Blackboard Collaborate

2. Features
• Audio/Video Capabilities
(up to 6 people)
• Chats
• Upload Content
• White Board
• Screen Sharing
• Web Tour
• Polling
• Breakout Rooms
• Record sessions when
finished

3. Interface

4. Getting Started
• Located in “Tools” section in
Blackboard
• Create sessions and access
previously recorded
sessions
• Create a single session or
weekly sessions
• Allow outside
participants/guest speakers
• Pre-load content such as
session plans

5. Benefits of Blended Learning
The blended learning approach offers the advantage of
flexibility, convenience, and increased opportunities for
interaction with the instructor and other students.
[Pulaski, Behling, M., Klingner, Gordon, B. “The Technological Age of Teaching.” Teaching Inclusively in
Higher Education]
Until recently, one of the big questions in distant education was
whether it delivered comparable outcomes to traditional
classroom instruction. Now, the question generating research
and discussion is why not have the best of both worlds?
[Vernadakis, N., Antoniou, P., Giannousi, M., Zetou, E., & Kioumourtzoglou, E. “Comparing hybrid
learning with traditional approaches on learning the microsoft office power point 2003 program in
tertiary education.” Computers & Education. (2009)]
With many faculty equally preferring both [online discussion
and classroom discussion], cross-pollination in hybrid classes
will continue to flourish.
[Baglione, S., Nastanski, M. “The Superiority of Online Discussion.” The Quarterly Review of Distance
Education. (2007).]

6. Contacts and Help
Beth Gordon
Executive Director, Academic Technology
bgordon@pace.edu
Joe Seijo
Assistant Director,
Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT)
jseijo@pace.edu
Martina Blackwood
Director, Instructional Technology
mblackwood@pace.edu
Getting Started:
• http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Collaborate/Services/On-Demand-
Learning-Center/Web-Conferencing.aspx