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Agaric is hosting BigBlueButton video chat server integrated with each course. When in a course, a teacher can click on the Conference link to create a video chat Conference.  Teachers can START the Conference and choose to invite all course members to the conference and everyone enrolled will get an invite. The invite will appear on the top of the screen within the course. Students will NOT have access to a conference unless they are invited by a teacher and the teacher has STARTED the conference.

Here are some short videos that give a really good overview of how to use the tools available in BigBlueButton. 

Feature overview for teachers and students:  https://bigbluebutton.org/html5/

Overview for Teachers: https://youtu.be/Q2tG2SS4gXA

Overview for Students: https://youtu.be/GeJbK1lvl2I

BigBlueButton Documentation

These links will take you to the BigBlueButton support provided by BlindsideNetworks.

Moderator

• As a moderator, how do I use closed captions?
• As a moderator, how do I start and stop recording?
• As a moderator, how do I give/take presenter role?
• As a moderator, how do I manage viewers?
• As a moderator, how do I lock viewer's ability to use their mic/webcam/chat/shared notes?
• As a moderator, how do I promote/demote/remove a user?
• As a moderator, how do I clear the public chat?
• As a moderator, how do I create and manage breakout rooms?
• As a moderator, how do I end meeting on logout?

Presenter

• As a presenter, how do I use the presentation controls?
• As a presenter, how do I upload a presentation and enable for download?
• As a presenter, how do I share an external video link?
• As a presenter, how do I share my screen?
• As a presenter, how do I use polling?

User

• As a user, how do I view closed captions?
• As a user, how do I move webcam(s) in a live session?
• As a user, how do I join the audio?
• As a user, how do I share a webcam?
• As a user, how do I send public and private chat messages?
• As a user, how do I set a status?
• As a user, how do I use shared notes?
• As a user, how do I join the multi-user whiteboard?
• As a user, how do I join breakout rooms?
• As a user, how do I respond to polls?
• As a user, how do I close the presentation/enlarge the webcams?
• As a user, how do I access the Options Menu?

More BigBlueButton Tips:

To encourage student engagement in BigBlueButton, you can let them know that students can set their own status and raise their hand by clicking on their own name in the list of people on the left and selecting "Set Status".

Teachers can see in the list of people, participants that have set their own status to happy or confused or if have a hand raised etc.

A teacher can click on their own name in the list on the left and see "Options" to 'reset' or clear statuses and then ask students to raise hand to interact with you on the next topic.

Teachers can also click on the three dots on the top right-hand of the screen and choose settings for further room options. When there is no presentation open, everyone should be able to see all webcams on the screen. When the presentation is open, the webcams appear at the top of the chat window.

Everyone should be able to resize the presentation or a webcam independently by dragging it larger or smaller.

Recording a Conference:

When you start a Conference, you can start recording and it will continue until everyone leaves the room, or you pause it. There is no Stop button yet the recording will be saved and will appear in the "Concluded Conferences list" when you click on the past Conference title.

Ending a Conference:

When you exit the room and click on "End Conference" instead of "Logout", the recording will be paused until you enter the room again. The first recording will be saved and a new recording will start. You can click on "End" in the list of Conferences, and create a new one for the next class. This will enable you to invite students. Remember, students will NOT have access to the Conference unless they are invited. The invites are sent when you opt to "Start" the Conference.

Get Involved with the development of BigBlueButton