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EPD Online Courses - Blackboard Ultra Web Conferencing
Getting started with Blackboard Ultra
Blackboard Ultra (Bb Ultra) is the default web conferencing tool for online courses offered through Engineering Professional Development (EPD) online programs and courses. Blackboard Ultra runs completely in your web browser via web browser plugins (flash or html5) to provide a seamless experience for virtual classrooms, meetings, and other synchronous (live) events. Blackboard Ultra works with all web browsers across computing platforms, however Chrome, Firefox, and the latest version of Edge are the preferred web browsers that are fully supported.
Blackboard Ultra Important Links
- System requirements and device support
- Supported web browsers
- Currently, for the fullest experience, use Google Chrome, the latest version of Microsoft Edge, or Firefox. Safari is at least partially supported.
- In particular, to use the screensharing feature, users must currently use the Google Chrome web browser and Firefox.
- Blackboard Ultra does not support Internet Explorer
- Blackboard Ultra Troubleshooting Help
Mobile Device Access (iPhone, iPad and Android)
 | To access Blackboard Ultra on a Mobile Device
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Blackboard Ultra User Introductions
- Participant Introduction
- Moderator Introduction
- More information on user Roles for BbC Ultra
Blackboard Ultra Feature Highlights
- Built-in VoIP audio & hi-def video
- Dynamic adjustments according to bandwidth and network access
- Ability to record sessions
- Ability to manage and promote participants
- Teleconferencing (Telephony)
- A basic whiteboard and other collaborative tools
- Ability to share content including documents (pdf, images, ppt), application/screen sharing, and collaborative whiteboard
- Accessibility Features
- Blackboard Ultra provides access through three different roles. Depending on the particular setup of the web conference room, you may access a particular BbC Ultra web conference room as one of three possible roles; 1) Participant, 2) Presenter, or 3) Moderator. The setup depends on the instructor preference for the course.
Additional Information
- Web Conference Session Best Practices (for Participants)
- Web Conference Session Best Practices (for Moderators)
Troubleshooting Connection or Audio Issues
Sometimes issues arise when connecting to a web conference session. The two most common issues we see are having difficulty connecting, or have various audio issues after you get connected. Here are a few things to try if you have these issues. 99.9% of the time, they will fix the problem. If you continue to have issues, then please do use the contact information below to reach out for assistance.
Troubleshooting Tips for Connection Issues
- Check your wifi/Internet connection. Can you load another website in your web browsers?
- Completely quit the web browser and try re-joining the session.
- Try connecting with a different web browser. As we've mentioned Chrome and Firefox are best, and have the fewest problems.
- Try connecting from a different location (network) to see if that fixes the issue. Sometimes corporate firewalls block some Internet connections.
Troubleshooting Tips for Audio Issues
- Use the Troubleshooting tips above.
- Verify that your web browser preferences are set to allow audio and video. [ Instructions for Chrome | Instructions for Firefox ]
- Check to make sure your USB headset or earbuds are functioning properly.
99.9% of the time one of the steps above will fix the issue. Otherwise keep moving through.
- Checking that your system audio preferences are set to use proper input and output
- Completing restarting your computer or mobile device
Other connection and audio workarounds to use if you don’t have time and need to just participate in the web conference, and then do troubleshooting later.
- Use the telephone dial-in option
- Use the anonymous dial-in option
- Try connecting from a different device. If you are trying on computer, then try connecting using on a mobile device by navigating to the link from a tablet or smart phone.
For additional technical support with Blackboard Ultra, EPD online students and instructors have several options.
- For urgent issues during a live session:
- Contact Blackboard Support directly by phone or chat
- You can also check for system-wide problems on the Blackboard Server Status Page (Look for "Collaborate - Web Conferencing (US)")
- You can also alert our EPD Online Support Team by emailing onlinesupport@epd.wisc.edu.
- For non-urgent and non-critical issues and feedback
- For general questions or comments, EPD online students and instructors can contact EPD Learning Design & Technologies Group for additional information at onlinesupport@epd.wisc.edu.