Environment: StFX's Learning Management System Moodle. Available at
moodle.stfx.caPurpose: Learn how to add BlackBoard Collaborate to your online classroom
1. Go to moodle.stfx.ca
2. Log in
3. Choose your course from My Courses on your Home page
4. Click "Turn Editing On" at the top right of the page.
5. Click on the top-most Add Activity or Resource (or wherever you want the Collaborate space)
6. Choose "External Tool" or search External Tool in the search bar at the top of the window.
7. Name your Activity and in Preconfigured Tool choose BlackBoard Collaborate
8. The Collaborate online course link will appear in the area or section where you selected Add an activity or resource
9. Select the link/activity, a tab will open and you will see a Collaborate Session lobby. Here you will see that there is already an open course space
where any student enrolled in your class can enter. It is open as soon as you create the activity in Moodle.
10. In the lobby select the Main Course area at the top. This reveals a side menu where you can change the course room setting and where you would join the room. If you do not want enrolled students to be able to join this course at any time use the Lock Course Room option here.
11. The best-practice settings are as demonstrated here: anyone who joins is a participant (not able to share screen), no guest access (you will need to use this only if inviting people not enrolled in the course), and no telephone call-ins (to avoid costs for participants). IMPORTANT: Remember to check off anonymize chat. This DOES NOT anonymize the live chat during class but anonymizes it for RECORDINGS ONLY.
12. Enter the course by selecting Join Course Room. You will now be in the course. See other Articles for a breakdown of Collaborate classroom features.
