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Participating in Virtual Classroom
What is the Virtual Classroom?
Blackboard's Virtual Classroom feature allows users to enter a real-time discussion with instructors and students, access the web, engage in question and answer sessions, and review course materials and the course map. Users may also use the Whiteboard to display text and images. Since the interaction is in real-time (synchronous), multiple users must participate at the same time. An archive of the chats is saved for those who weren't able to participate.
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Do all of my instructors use the Virtual Classroom?
Not all instructors choose to use the Virtual Classroom feature. Refer to the course syllabus or contact your instructor if you have questions about how the course is conducted.
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Where do I find the Virtual Classroom?
To access the Virtual Classroom, first click the "Communication" link in the Tools area on the course menu. Then click the "Collaboration" link in the main window.
The "Collaboration Sessions" window will open. The "Tool" column identifies each session as either "Virtual Classroom" or "Chat." Select the session in which you wish to participate, and click the corresponding "Join" button. You can also use the "Filter" drop menu or the "Search by" function to search for a specific collaboration session.
Note: A Java plug-in (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 online at http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/. Users should uninstall any existing Java plug-ins before installing a new version.
When you enter the Virtual Classroom environment, you will see your name on the display area notifying other users that you have joined the session.
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The Virtual Classroom Menu Bar
The Virtual Classroom Menu Bar allows the user to manage participation in the Virtual Classroom, including how to view messages, clearing information in the display window, and creating breakout sessions.
- View: Allows the user to choose an option for viewing private messages in the Virtual Classroom. Select "Show in-line" to view private messages within the chat area. Select "Show in separate frame" to view private messages in a separate window.
- Clear: Erases the users chat display.
- Breakouts: Allows users to participate in a separate session, while also participating in the main session. Users who enter a breakout session are still active in the main Virtual Classroom session. If a breakout session in closed, users are still active in the main session. Breakout sessions default to the same settings as the main session.
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Exploring the Virtual Classroom Tools
The "Classroom Tool" box enables participants to use the different tools available within the Virtual Classroom. Participants can use the Whiteboard, access websites, and view the course map. The "Classroom Tool" box appears on the left side of the Virtual Classroom. Click the name of the tool to begin using it.
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Course Map
The Course Map enables users to browse and view course content while they are in a Virtual Classroom session.
- To display an element: Click "Content" in the Course Map, and select "Display To Class" in the drop-down list.
- To display an element on the map in a separate window: Click "Content" in the Course Map and select "Preview in New Window" in the drop-down list. The new window is only visible to the user accessing it.
- To refresh the Course Map during a collaboration session: Click "Refresh Tree" in the drop-down list. This will update the Course Map to match the latest course menu on the course website.
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Whiteboard
The Whiteboard enables users in the Virtual Classroom to present different types of information as they would on a blackboard in a classroom. Using the tools in the Whiteboard Tools palette, users can draw images, type text, and present equations.
- To select an item: Click the Arrow tool. Then click on an item for selection. The following actions may be performed on selected items:
- Enlarge: Click one of the small black boxes that surround the item and drag it to the desired size.
- Move: Click the item and move it to the desired location.
- Cut: Click the Whiteboard Tools palette item, then click the Cut icon.
- Copy: Click the Whiteboard Tools palette item, then click the Copy icon.
- Paste: Click the Whiteboard Tools palette item, then click the Paste icon.
- Delete: Click the Whiteboard Tools palette item; click on the selected object; then click the Delete icon.
- Group items: Click the Whiteboard Tools palette items, then click the Group icon.
- Ungroup: Click a Whiteboard Tools palette item in a group, then click the Ungroup icon.
- Bring front: Click the Whiteboard Tools palette item; click on selected object; then click the Bring to front icon.
- Bring back: Click the Whiteboard Tools palette item; click on selected object; then click the Send to back icon.
- Select all figures on the Whiteboard: Click the Selects all Figures icon.
- To draw free hand: Click the Pen drawing tool. Choose the color of the pen in the
"Fill Color" drop-down list.
- To enter text using the keyboard: Click the text tool (T) then the Whiteboard area. A Whiteboard Text Input box appears. Type the text in the box and click "Insert." Use the options in the Tools palette to select color, font, and size.
- To draw a straight line: Click the Slanted Line tool.
- To highlight something with an arrow: Click the Pointer.
- To draw a square: Click the Square drawing tool. Choose the color of the square from the "Fill Color" drop-down list.
- To draw a circle: Click the Oval drawing tool. Choose the color of the circle from the "Fill Color" drop-down list.
- To input an equation: Click The Math and Science Equation Editor icon (S). The Equation Editor will appear. Input the equation and click "Insert Equation."
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Group Browser
The Group Browser enables users to collectively browse the web during a Virtual Classroom session. The instructor and students can use this tool to open a URL that is viewable by all users. URLs used in the session will be recorded in the archive if one is created.
- To open a website: Type the URL in the "Enter Address" field.
- To choose where to display the website: Click "Display To Class" to display the window in the Whiteboard area of the Virtual Classroom, or click "Preview in New Window" to open the website in a new browser window. This window will only be displayed to the Instructor.
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Ask Question
The Ask Question function enables users to ask questions during the session. As users submit questions during the session, the instructor and other students can view and respond to them.
- To ask a question: Select "Compose" in the Ask Question area, enter the question in the text box, and click "Send."
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Question Inbox
Questions from users are sent to the Question Inbox during the Virtual Classroom session. The Question Inbox is used to manage and respond to these questions.
- To respond to another user's question: Click the user's name in the "From" list and click the "Respond to Question" icon. The "Respond to Question" pop-up window will appear.
- To delete a question: Click the user's name in the "From" list and click the "Delete" icon.
- To view only questions that have not been answered: Click the checkbox next to "Show unanswered only."
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Troubleshooting the Virtual Classroom
A Java plug-in (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 online at http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/.
Pop-up blockers will prevent the Virtual Classroom from opening. You must have all pop-up blocking software set to allow pop-ups from http://acconline.austincc.edu
If you are behind a firewall, the firewall must be configured to allow traffic on port 8443. This is the secure port used by the Virtual classroom.
If you are prompted to accept a security certificate, you must accept the security certificate to join the Virtual Classroom.
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