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Elluminate, a.k.a., Blackboard Collaborate

Contact Information

Elluminate, also known as "Blackboard Collaborate", is a web-based application that allows students to meet online, in real-time, for live instructor lectures and sessions.

Since Elluminate is an online service, students can join supported classes from anywhere around the world - even from the comfort of their own home.

To use Elluminate, students do not need proprietary software or a high-end computer; all that is required to attend a typical session is an internet connection, a microphone and headphones (or speakers), and the free and safe ‘Java’ plug-in, already installed on most modern computers.

Using Elluminate is as easy as clicking a web link. Clicking the unique web link for your class will cause the Elluminate window to open, usually within 20 or 30 seconds.

For a step-by-step introduction to Elluminate with pictures, view Elluminate's official orientation tutorial at:

http://www.elluminate.com/resources/orientation/v9.5/index.php

First-time Users: Getting Ready for a Session

To see what an actual Elluminate session looks like, as well test your computer to see if it has both Java and a working microphone, visit Elluminate (Blackboard Collaborate) and complete Steps 1 and 2.

•    Step 1 checks your computer to see if you have a working installation of the Java plugin. If you need to get the Java plugin, visit http://www.java.com/en/.

•    Step 2 will allow you to enter an 'always open, never closed, no ID required' Elluminate room that exists solely for potential users to test their computer.

Once you've entered the Elluminate 'Configuration Room' found in Step 2, you should immediately test your microphone by running the AUDIO SETUP WIZARD, located under the TOOLS > AUDIO menu. This wizard checks your speaker or headphone volume first, then your microphone volume second. If you see more than one option for a microphone in the list that appears, simply try the pre-selected option, and if it doesn't work, choose another option from the list and try again.

Common Issues & Help

Here are some common issues and solutions:

  1. Microphone doesn’t work: Re-run the AUDIO SETUP WIZARD to select a different microphone option.  Visit the TOOLS > AUDIO > AUDIO SETUP WIZARD menu, and separately try each option listed in the microphone section in succession until you can successfully record your voice.
  2. Using a work computer or work network: If you receive an error similar to "Connection failed. Direct Call to Direct el13.elluminate.com", either the computer or the network you are using has security restrictions that prevent web applications from running. If you receive this error, the simplest solution is to try and connect using a personal computer and internet connection that has no restrictions. To use your work computer in future sessions, contact your work's tech support staff and tell them that ports 2187 and 80 on the network's firewall need to be open for use by Elluminate, and both firewall and web content filters must allow the download of both JNLP files and JAVA application archive (JAR) files. The desktop computer must also be configured to allow the download, installation, and execution of JAVA network applications.
  3. Microphone still doesn’t work: Exit the session by closing the Elluminate window; restart your computer, and try entering the session again.
  4. Reinstall Java: If none of the above works, get an updated version of the Java plugin at http://www.java.com/en/, then restart your computer and re-enter the session.

Contact Information

If you are an instructor who would like to use Elluminate, or if you need additional help, please contact Brock Parks at bparks@unb.ca, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, at 506-458-7539.