Platform Features

Last updated: May 12, 2022.

Accessibility

Some of the accessibility features include full-screen reader support of all key workflows, whiteboard activities, and uploaded files. Global keyboard shortcuts for common actions are also supported.

The Ultra experience now provides live closed captioning. This provides an accessible learning experience for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as for students whose native language is different from the moderator’s.

More on accessibility


API Framework

Class Collaborate uses REST APIs for custom LMS integrations.

The public Collaborate APIs are updated to include scheduling session, requesting session links, and attendance. To build your custom integration with our Collaborate API, please visit our developer documentation site or send an email to collab_development@class.com.

Note: The developer documentation site is available in English only.


Class’s Cloud Infrastructure

Class Collaborate uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure and Blackboard hosting data centers to launch Ultra sessions.

Collaborate Networking Information (available in English only)


Connection Efficiency

Collaborate uses WebRTC encoding.

More on network connection management


Deployment

Collaborate is a SaaS deployment.


Downloads

The Ultra experience is entirely browser-based. No downloads or installs are required.


Integrations

The Ultra experience is available through the following means.

The public Collaborate APIs have been updated to include scheduling session, requesting session links, and attendance. Please contact Blackboard Services for more information.


Localization

Collaborate uses the language preference set in your browser. Attendees can also choose their preferred language in the session settings. If the language is not supported, your session is in English.

Collaborate supports these language preferences:

  • Arabic
  • Brazilian Portuguese
  • Bulgarian
  • Catalan
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • Finnish
  • French
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Irish Gaelic
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Malay
  • Maori
  • Norwegian
  • Polish
  • Portuguese for Portugal
  • Russian
  • Simplified Chinese
  • Spanish (Universal)
  • Swedish
  • Thai
  • Traditional Chinese
  • Turkish
  • UK English
  • US English
  • Vietnamese
  • Welsh

Mobile

Collaborate is supported in Chrome on AndroidTM devices and Safari on iOS®11+. Moderators and presenters on mobile devices can share files and a blank whiteboard. They can’t share an application.

Users can open a Collaborate session from the Blackboard app and Blackboard Instructor, if a link is provided within a course. Users are directed to a web browser to join the session.

More on browser support on Class Community and Support (available in English only)


Network

Class Collaborate runs best on networks that allow WebRTC over the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Collaborate also requires web sockets, which is a common web technology.

More on Firewall and Proxy settings


Network connection management

In Class Collaborate your experience is modified to accommodate your connection speed. This means that you can continue to participate in sessions in spite of slower internet connections and poor network conditions.

More on network connection management


Telephony

With Integrated Telephony, you don’t need your own teleconference provider. The teleconference service is provided by Class Collaborate. Teleconference phone numbers and PINs are automatically generated during session creation. Anyone can dial into the session and initiate the connection between the session and the teleconference bridge.

Note: We supply a Virginia-US number for U.S. and Canada, a UK number for Europe, and a Sydney number for Australia. Long distance and international calling charges may apply. 

Want to add a toll-free number? Jump to Use a toll-free number.

More on telephony for moderators