How to Upload a Recording to Blackboard Collaborate

Blackboard Collaborate is an essential tool for educators and students alike, offering a robust environment for online teaching and learning. However, adding captions to your recordings is a critical aspect of ensuring accessibility and enhancing the user experience. This guide will walk you through the process of uploading a recording to Blackboard Collaborate, including adding captions, ensuring your content reaches the intended audience effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading a Recording

First, this guide assumes that you are familiar with the basic functionality of Blackboard Collaborate. If not, it is highly recommended to review the official documentation or user guides to ensure you have a solid foundation before proceeding.

Accessing the Recording Section

Once you have your recording ready, the first step in the process is to access the Recording Section within the Blackboard Collaborate platform. This section is where you will manage all of your recorded sessions and upload new ones.

Locating Your Recording

From the Collaborate Dashboard, find the Recordings option. This can be located in the left-hand menu of the Collaborate Scheduler. The Collaborate Scheduler is available in Blackboard Learn and any LTI-compliant Learning Management System (LMS) courses. Select the recording you want to upload or add captions to.

Adding Captions to Your Recording

Once you have selected the recording, you will need to add captions for accessibility. This is done by selecting the Recording Options menu, which is typically represented by three dots or a gear icon. From this menu, choose Add Caption Source.

Next, you will need to browse for the VTT (WebVTT) file associated with your recording. VTT files contain the transcription text with timestamps, making them ideal for adding captions to your recording. Select the VTT file from your computer and upload it.

Ensuring Your Recording is Accessible

An important aspect of using Blackboard Collaborate is ensuring that your recordings are accessible to all users, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. By adding captions, you are greatly enhancing the accessibility of your content. Here are a few best practices to follow:

Ensure that the VTT file you upload is accurate and synchronized with the recording. Check that the captions are clear and easy to read, avoiding clutter and ensuring that key information is prominent. Test the captions to make sure they display properly in the Blackboard Collaborate player. Follow the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to ensure that your captions meet the standards for accessibility.

Conclusion

Uploading a recording to Blackboard Collaborate and adding captions can significantly enhance the accessibility and overall quality of your e-learning content. Follow these steps to ensure that your recordings are efficient and effective for all users. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact the support team for Blackboard Collaborate.

FAQ

Q: What is Blackboard Collaborate?

A: Blackboard Collaborate is a web conferencing and virtual classroom platform designed to facilitate online learning. It supports live sessions, recording, and interactive tools for a blended learning experience.

Q: What is a VTT file and how do I create one?

A: A VTT file, or WebVTT file, is a text file that contains the captions for your recording. You can create a VTT file using a simple text editor or a dedicated captioning tool. The file should include the timing information (start and end times) and the caption text for each timestamp.

Q: Can I use any other format for captions in Blackboard Collaborate?

A: While VTT is the recommended format, Blackboard Collaborate does support other caption formats such as SRT (SubRip) files. However, if you are working with an LTI-compliant LMS, VTT is the standard format for compatibility.