How to connect to Blackboard Collaborate (formerly Elluminate) for the first time

Preparing your system to connect to Blackboard Collaborate

The first step is extremely important! To ensure that your system is prepared to connect to Blackboard Collaborate user's should visit the Blackboard Collaborate first time user system setup page.

Upon navigating to this page, you will either see a red check mark indicating that you need to upgrade your Java version or a green check mark (as pictured below) indicating your system meets Blackboard Collaborate's requirements. If you receive the red check mark, follow the link provided to update your Java version. If you see a green check mark, proceed to Step 2 on the page and join the Configuration Room to test your connection and configure your audio. Note: you cannot test video in the Configuration Room. You will be given an opportunity to test your video in the CIRTL Online Conference room.

Click here to visit the Blackboard Collaborate first time user system setup page

Upon clicking the link to join the Configuration Room you will need to open or save filename meeting.jnhlp. Select Open to launch the Configuration Room. It may take 1-3 minutes to download and launch the Blackboard Collaborate client.

The Configuration Room will feature a slide with instructions on testing your audio configuration and setting your connection speed. Once you have successfully completed your configuration you can exit the room. Note that the Configuration Room does not have the full functionality that the CIRTL Online Conference room will have.

Note that the CIRTL Online Conference Room will direct you to this intermediate page (shown below). To log in, please type in the name you want to appear in the participants window and click log in. Then, you will need to open or save the filename dropin.jnlp. 

To learn more about using Blackboard Collaborate as a participant visit the Blackboard Collaborate resources page.