Here is an update provided by DoIT regarding Blackboard Collaborate.  Collaborate is a new web-based conferencing tool within Blackboard.  A while back a DoIT colleague shared a link to a free trial which prompted CPS IT Systems to try it out.  CPS IT Systems have used Collaborate in the past in order to conduct one of our virtual staff meetings.  Overall the consensus of the group was that we really liked the way it operated as well as the functionality it had to offer. So be on the look out for this tool.  In the web link from DoIT there is a link to a free trial of Collaborate if interested in trying it out before it will be available at UMBC.  So if you are interested in Collaborate then take a look at the information provided by DoIT.