Office of Academic Programs
Communication
Synchronous Communication
Elluminate | Skype | Blackboard Virtual Classroom
Elluminate
Elluminate is a synchronous webcasting tool, for which UNCG now has a campus license. It is now possible for instructors to schedule Elluminate sessions via their Blackboard courses. If you wish to schedule Elluminate sessions outside of a Blackboard course, email Rob Owens in the Teaching and Learning Center to schedule.
Elluminate features
- text and voice chat
- display of presentations, websites, and application-sharing
- whiteboard activities
- polling
- video (given sufficient bandwidth)
- breakout rooms
Elluminate tutorials
- Guides for instructors/moderators
- Using Elluminate Live! (pdf with multiple screen shots)
- Schedule Elluminate Live! session in Blackboard (pdf with multiple screen shots)
- Load PowerPoint presentation into Elluminate (pdf)
- Application Sharing (pdf)
- Schedule Elluminate Live! session in Blackboard (pdf with multiple screen shots)
- Breakout Rooms Quick Reference Guide (pdf)
- Podcasting with Elluminate Live! Recordings (pdf)
- Guides for students/participants
- First Time Users (check your computer's readiness for working with Elluminate (java software check and audio set up).
- Participant Quick Reference Guide - for students (pdf with large screen shot)
- Recorded Orientation (nice 6-minute introduction)
Tips
- Before using Elluminate Live! for the first time, do a practice session with students to work out any technical problems.
- Open all websites that require login before you start an Elluminate session.
- Audio Tips
- Before each session, allow extra time at the beginning for all participants to login and check their audio settings.
- Ask all participants to use headsets to decrease the possibility of feedback.
- Up to 6 people may talk at once. However, this is not a good idea, because there can be feedback.
- Video Tips - Running video within an Elluminate session can be problemmatic. Consider posting video for student viewing before the Elluminate session.
- Moderator Tips
- In participant window, use column headings to globally turn off student/participant functions (such as whiteboard or video).
- Tell students that moderators can see all private chat messages to avoid the possibility of embarrassing exchanges.
- To grant temporary moderator privileges: highlight participant's name then click Tools > Moderator > Give [or Take Away] Moderator Privileges.
- For office hours only, set Elluminate to beep when a student enters. (Tools > check both Raise Hand upon Entering and Beep When Hand is Raised.)
- Note Layout possibilities (View > Layouts).
- Wide layout (for high volume of chat)
- Whiteboard only (for maximum website or presentation space)
- All minimal layouts (for office hours when you are doing other work)
Skype
- Skype is a free tool that enables free Internet voice, text, and video communication.
- It is possible to conference in up to 5 people or connections at a time.
- As well, it is possible to send files and screen share.
- Skype is not approved for use on UNCG computers. Use this tool at your own risk.
- Download Skype for Windows.
- Download Skype for Mac.
- Skype User Guides. Or - type a search in the Need Help box.
Blackboard Collaboration Tools
- Blackboard has two tools: chat and the virtual classroom.
- Note: At times, users have had difficulty access the collaboration tools due to firewalls on their end. Please check ahead of a scheduled session.
- Chat - is a simple chat tool that includes an accessible version.
- The virtual classroom includes chat as well as whiteboard capabilities, and the qualified ability to display websites and areas of the course itself. (Check this ahead of time.)
- Sessions can be recorded.
- See the Blackboard Manual for user guides. (Click Collaboration Tools.)