Breakout groups are a powerful engagement tool for active learning in a synchronous session, providing private audio, video, whiteboard, application sharing, and chat for small group collaboration. Instructors can distribute files with breakout groups, and pull those files back into the main room for sharing with the entire class.
In Collaborate, breakout groups were typically created with random student placements to the groups or manual placements by the instructor with an optional setting to allow students to switch groups. With this new integration, however, instructors will be able to use their existing groups in their Blackboard courses to quickly create and launch breakout groups in Collaborate. As needed, instructors can adjust groups while maintaining the original placements.
The Collaborate and Blackboard Learn groups integration applies to both Original and Ultra courses, but will require the use of group sets rather than individually created groups in the course.
The Collaborate and Blackboard Learn groups integration is scheduled for gradual release in mid-September. As soon we have additional information, we will update the FAQs with how-to documentation and related resources. UPDATE: New FAQ is available.
Additionally, with this release, Collaborate will proactively inform users about outdated browser use and encourage them to upgrade to a supported browser. Users will still be allowed to join a session, but the experience may not be the same.
As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:
- PIVOT | Academic Continuity | Keep On Teaching | Student Technology Resources
- Check our extensive FAQ collection
- Open a ticket via RT
- Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups
- Request a consult with instructional technology staff
