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Join a Session from Blackboard Learn

Last updated: September 12, 2022.

Which Learn experience are you using?

Learn Original Learn Ultra

Where do I find Class Collaborate in Learn Original?

From your course select Tools > Class Collaborate Ultra.

Class Collaborate has a dedicated Course Room. Instructors also have the ability to schedule more than one unique session for different uses.

In Class Collaborate a unique session link is generated to help each session identify you. Each link is associated with an individual session and a specific user in that session. This means that the link only works for you at that moment. You are not able to use the link to join the session again or share your link with another user. Session links expire after 5 minutes.

Note: Collaborate uses your computer’s local time zone for session start and end times.


Filter and search for sessions

You can filter the list of sessions that appear by all upcoming sessions, all previous sessions, and sessions in a date range. Use the filter to help you find the session you are looking for.

If you know the name of the session you are looking for, select Search Sessions and type the session name.


What is the course room?

The course room is an open Collaborate session dedicated to the course. You can join this session at any time.

Select the session name and Join Course Room to join the session. This generates a unique link to help the session identify you.

Each link is unique to an individual session and a user in that session. This means that the link only works for you in that session. You are not able to use the link to join the session again or share your link with another user. Session links expire after 5 minutes.

Note: If you don’t see a course room, your instructor or administrator has turned it off.


View session recordings

Recorded sessions are saved as MP4s. Recordings include audio, any content shared or active speaker video, and the captions entered during the live session.

You can view recordings in courses you are enrolled in. You may be able to download recordings. Instructors must allow session recording downloads for each session.

  • In the Class Collaborate tool, select the tool menu. Select Recordings for a list of all recordings.

  • In the Class Collaborate tool, recordings are listed below the course room.

More on recording sessions


Can I host a session?

If your instructor has given you moderator access to the room, coordinate with your class to host sessions of your own.

More on being a moderator

You can also host a session in Collaborate if your instructor has assigned you to a group and given you the Collaborate group tool.

More on groups

More on presenting in a session


Ultra: Access Class Collaborate from your course

Details & Actions > Join session

Instructors can copy session links and add the weblink to the course content area.

You can also find Collaborate sessions under the course Details & Actions. The Collaborate camera icon appears in purple to show you and other course members when people are active in the Collaborate room.

Select Join session from the Details & Actions menu on the Course Content page. If there is more than one session, you can select the one you want to join from the menu. Select the arrow to expand the list of available sessions.

When you join a session it opens in a new window or browser, depending on your browser settings.

Note: You can’t see Collaborate recordings of the Course Room at this time.

If your instructor creates a group assignment or test and has enabled conversations, you can also use Collaborate to meet virtually with your group. Each group member joins the sessions as a presenter, so you can use additional features such as whiteboards and file sharing.

More on presenting in Collaborate 

To open your group’s Collaborate room, open your assignment and select the Open Collaborate room icon. You can also find the Collaborate room in the Conversations panel.


Ultra: View session recordings

Recorded sessions are saved as MP4s. Recordings include audio, any content shared or active speaker video, and the captions entered during the live session.

You can view recordings in courses you are enrolled in. You may be able to download recordings. Instructors must allow session recording downloads for each session.

You can find Collaborate recordings under the course Details & Actions. Select More options for Collaborate and select View all recordings.