Important Changes to Synchronous Tools

A delay in the PASSHE RFP for a new Web Conferencing Tool means we must remain using Blackboard Collaborate for one more year until June 30, 2018.  However, Online Rooms is being phased out on May 19, 2017.

Read on for more information.

Do You Need Recordings Saved?

Do you have recordings from January 2015 to May 2017 that you want to save? These recordings will be lost if they are not saved. Links to old recordings will not work.

Anyone with recordings from January 2015 to May 2017 they would like saved will need to fill out a form and return it to Julie Wolfe by May 5^th, 2017.

Old links to recordings will not work once Online Rooms is phased out. Therefore, if you need recordings saved, you will need to fill out a form and return it to Julie Wolfe by May 5^th, 2017.

The form and Julie's email address are available in the BOLT Help Course in BOLT in the Blackboard Collaborate module. (In the BHC, click Content > Tools Integrated with BOLT > Blackboard Collaborate)

We ask that you only request to save recordings that are absolutely necessary.

We are holding informational sessions online if you have any questions. The information on how to join is detailed later in this blog post.

 

What Web Conferencing Tools Will Be Available in BOLT?

Collaborate: Ultra

Ultra on laptop, desktop, and mobile device

Ultra is the new Blackboard Collaborate. Ultra is a modern, easy to use web conferencing tool.

You can add Ultra to Content as an External Learning Tool Link.

• In a content module, click Existing Activities.
• Select External Learning Tools.
• Select Ultra.

This is the only link you need for you and your students to access Ultra sessions and recordings. There are more directions on how to use Ultra in the BOLT Help Course, and we will be holding training sessions for Ultra prior to 2017 Summer.

Virtual Classroom



Virtual Classroom by YouSeeU

Virtual Classroom, powered by YouSeeU, is also available in BOLT. You can schedule Virtual Classroom meetings by selecting Virtual Classroom from the Learning Tools menu and scheduling a meeting.

You can find out more information about how to add Virtual Classroom to your BOLT course in the BOLT Help Course in BOLT.

Zoom

Zoom Interface on Mobile and Laptop

We are also offering a pilot with Zoom. Zoom is another web conferencing tool. We are piloting this tool at the request of some faculty members. If you would like to try Zoom, please email Julie Wolfe.

 

Find Out More at Our Webinar Sessions

If you have questions about any of this, we are holding informational sessions. We want to provide more details and answer any questions you may have. To join us, you simply need to go to https://zoom.us/j/886273609 on the date/time of the session you want to attend.

Session Schedule:

• Monday, February 20^th at 4PM
• Tuesday, February 21^st at 9AM
• Thursday, February 23^rd at 12PM
• Friday, February 24^th at 12PM
• Tuesday, February 28^th at 3:30PM
• Wednesday, March 1^st at 8AM