The safety and security of our student learning environment is of the utmost importance. We understand that many of you have already transitioned to a fully remote learning environment. This shift has created new challenges when it comes to things like the security of your virtual classrooms. Based on reports of unauthorized individuals gate-crashing virtual classrooms, we want to make sure that you are utilising the security features built into Blackboard Collaborate to provide the most secure learning experience that protects students from individuals who are on a mission to disrupt instruction.
There are three core features of the Collaborate platform that help ensure a secure virtual classroom experience:
- Restrict participant permissions – This feature enables instructors to ensure that only session moderators can control the whiteboard, video/audio, and chat features. You can do this in the room setting befor the session or by editing the setting during the session.
- Secure authentication – This ensures students are able to access only those virtual classrooms assigned for their course (this requires all the participants to be on the same Blackboard module or program). You do this by making the students join the session from the Blackboard collaborate Ultra page in Blackboard and turning off guest access is the session settings.
- Unique session links – This enables instructors to send a unique link to session participants. You do this by creating a new session for each event rather than reusing the same session for every event. This ensure that only the guests of the current event have access to the URL to enter the event.
Please reference this FAQ document to help you navigate all of the security features within Collaborate. It includes helpful instructions for administrators, instructors, and users.