Elluminate, a.k.a., Blackboard Collaborate

Ask a Question, Get Technical Support, or Book a Session

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

Elluminate white
 Collaborate
Elluminate Tutorial
 Collaborate(Elluminate v12) Tutorial

Since Elluminate is an online service, students can join Elluminate 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's 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. Each class within Elluminate has a unique link that is reused from session to session. Clicking the unique web link for your class will cause the Elluminate window to open, usually within 20 or 30 seconds.

First-time Users: Getting Ready for a Session

To try an actual Elluminate room or session, without any other users present, simply click one of the links below. These links are to 'testing rooms' that UNB uses to allow prospective attendees to try the system before they attend a live session.

After you click a link, you will be taken to a login page, where you will type your name. No password or special ID is required, and whatever you type will become your name in the session. After clicking the "Log In" button, within 20 or 30 seconds the separate 'Elluminate or Collaborate program will open.

Elluminate Testing Room Link:
http://tinyurl.com/unb-elluminate-10

Collaborate Testing Room Link:
http://tinyurl.com/unb-collaborate

If you experience technical problems using Elluminate, do the following:

Check to see if you have Java installed at this webpage: http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp?detect=jre&try=1

If you don't have Java installed, download the Java installer, run it, then restart your computer and retry the testing room link.

After joining any Elluminate room, 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 until you can successfully record your voice.

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:
bparks@unb.ca or call 506-458-7539, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30