On Thursday, August 22, 2019, the E-Learning Unit of the College of Languages and Translation (CLT) at King Khalid University hosted a university-wide webinar focusing on 'Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.' The webinar was spearheaded by CLT's E-Learning Supervisor, Mohsin Raza Khan, and supervised by Mohammed Jarallah, Training Manager at the Deanship of E-Learning.

The session saw participation from faculty members across various disciplines and geographical locations. The training began with Mr. Khan imparting basic instruction about Blackboard, King Khalid University's chosen learning management system. He then shifted focus to a comprehensive training session on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.

Mr. Khan explained, "Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is a real-time video conferencing tool that facilitates file additions, application sharing, and the use of a virtual whiteboard for interactive sessions. King Khalid University has opted for this user-friendly tool, requiring no Java installation, to support our students with a state-of-the-art communication solution."

The webinar specifically highlighted the differences between Blackboard Collaborate and Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, concentrating on crucial features needed to enhance online collaborative learning. These features included:

• Session Menu
• Collaborate Panel
• Audio/Video Controls
• Creating an Online Session
• Sharing Tools (File, Screen, Whiteboard)

The primary objective of this webinar was to provide participants with a rapid tour of the vital features and controls in the user interface. By doing so, the webinar aimed to equip participants with the tools necessary to augment student learning, engagement, and interaction.

In line with this, the Deanship of E-Learning and the College of Languages and Translation are actively expanding their educational resources to reach more community members. They are both committed to achieving continuous improvement across all academic programs. Recognizing that e-learning is an essential tool for educational advancement, these efforts are integral to progress, not only at King Khalid University but also at other educational institutions throughout the Kingdom.