Teaching Online at UTAS

We have had some reports of students experiencing difficulty accessing Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Online Rooms. When some students go to MyLO and try to click on the Join Room link, or a session link, they are prompted to enter a username and password (not their UTAS username and password), and thus have difficulty accessing the room.

This may happen because:

• the student did not wait for the room to load and clicked the back button on their browser to try to return to MyLO; or
• the student is using a mobile device and has not installed the free Bb Student app.
• the student is using the Safari browser (on an iOS device like a Mac computer, tablet or smart phone) and the browser is blocking cookies.

Student did not wait for the room to load and clicked the back button (resulting in a prompt for a username and password): Solution

If the student clicks the back button on their browser before a room loads, they should close the browser tab with the username and password prompt. This should return them to MyLO, where they can click the link to the room again and, this time, wait a few seconds for the room to load. This may mean watching a black screen for up to 20-30 seconds or so, depending on connection speed.

Student is using a mobile device and has not installed the Bb Student app: Solution

To use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra on a mobile device, the device must have the Bb Student app installed. The app can be downloaded for free from iTunes (iOS devices), Google Play (Android devices) or Microsoft stores.

Once installed, students should navigate to the link you have provided in MyLO. They be prompted to enter a school’s name. Instead of choosing a school, they should click on the link that says Join Collaborate without signing in. They should then be able to type their name and click Join to join the session.

Student is using Safari browser: Solution

Essentially, the default browser setting block communication between MyLO and Blackboard Collaborate. Thus, the student is not recognised and cannot get in. There are, however, work-a-rounds.

• The student should use Google Chrome browser (opens in new window) (which will work on Mac and iOS devices). This is the browser recommended by UTAS and it is free.
• If the student must use Safari, they can trying adjusting the security settings for their Safari browser by changing the security level under Block Cookies to Always allow.
• As a back up plan, you can provide a direct link to students that ‘bypasses’ the MyLO > Blackboard Collaborate communication process. Students will not have to log in, but they will need to enter their name when prompted. This name they enter  is collected so that others can identify them when they enter the room. The video below will show you how to access this link (if you would like to view the video in full screen, view it on YouTube here). You can then email it to students experiencing difficulties or Quicklink to it in MyLO.