Transitioning from Class Collaborate to Zoom: Enhancing Synchronous Learning
UIC bids farewell to Class Collaborate and embraces the power of Zoom for enhanced synchronous video interactions
UIC, in its pursuit of continually improving the teaching and learning experience, has made a significant change in its video conferencing tools. As of June 30, 2023, Class Collaborate (formerly known as Blackboard Collaborate) has been decommissioned. UIC's commitment to providing cutting-edge technology for education has led to the adoption of Zoom and other UIC-supported synchronous video systems like Acadly Zoom, Echo360, and Google Meet.
What Has Changed?
With the discontinuation of Class Collaborate, UIC's focus is now on leveraging Zoom's video conferencing and online collaboration capabilities. It is important to note that UIC Blackboard, our Learning Management System (LMS), remains unaffected by this change. Only Class Collaborate has been sunsetted. Instructors are encouraged to transition to using the aforementioned synchronous video systems in place of Class Collaborate.
Why This Transition?
The move to Zoom was driven by the platform's reputation as a versatile tool for webinars and online interactions. Zoom streamlines the video conference experience for both educators and students. Offering an array of features such as breakout rooms, screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and more, Zoom has already proved its worth in many UIC courses. The integration of Zoom with Blackboard ensures a seamless experience, and Acadly also brings advanced academic integrations to Zoom.
Transitioning to Zoom not only improves educational outcomes but also enhances the integration of various learning tools. This transition aims to optimize the academic technology ecosystem's efficiency while maintaining a high-quality teaching and learning experience.
What's Next?
As we move through this transition, your understanding and support are invaluable. For those who have saved recordings in Class Collaborate, please ensure you download them before the deadline on Friday, June 30, 2023.
To assist in this transition, we've provided resources and guides to help you navigate Zoom effectively. You can access Zoom support and resources, learn how to schedule Zoom meetings in a Blackboard course and find comprehensive user guides for both students and faculty/staff.
Rest assured, UIC is here to assist you throughout this process. We'll work closely with colleges and departments to address any unique needs that may arise during this transition. Embrace the future of synchronous learning with Zoom and other UIC-supported systems, as we usher in a new era of educational collaboration and engagement.
Zoom Support and Resources