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[doggrrl]

I'm a online newbie who is an unsupported adjunct at a City College. We have to have two synchronous sessions a semester and I have been unable to show a PPT presentation via Bb Collaborate on the White Board. My IT dept can't tell me why.

I just upgraded my Mac to a 10.6 OS, but Blackboard Collaborate is indicating that my version of Java is still an unsupported version (I did download the Java upgrade software.) So here are my questions:

Does anyone know if the Java is prohibiting me from showing PPT on Blackboard?

Is there an alternative I can use to show a PPT presentation in a synchronous session on Blackboard? I've noticed others mentioning Camistra and ProfCast. Can I use something else other than Collaborate to do that?

[_touchedbyanoodle_]

Have you tried simply sharing the application or your desktop while PPT is open?

There is a way to upload the PPT into Elluminate, but yes, Java absolutely has to be working for any sort of lecture capture/synchronous meeting software to work. Without seeing the errors, it's hard to know what the problem is.

So, in the meantime, back to my first question. Do application/desktop sharing work as an alternate?

[infopri]

I've had very good luck with Adobe Connect Pro, as an alternative to Elluminate.  Even my students have been able to run their PowerPoint presentations on that platform.

[doggrrl]

I don't know why, but, no, I can't seem to simply application share via Blackboard. I don't even want to delve into this because I wasted so many hours earlier this semester trying to make it work and on phone with our people. I may just go to Kinkos (or whatever it is now) and see if I can do it from there.

Is there a way to practice Bb Collaborate? My IT guy "opened' my session a day before so I could try it out, but I'm wondering if there's an offline way to practice Collaborate. I may look into Adobe too. Thanks. This shouldn't be this hard!

I have found some comments online that newer Macs have trouble opening PPT in Collaborate.

[infopri]

Doggrrl, it's easy to practice in Adobe Connect Pro.  I spent the better part of a semester doing various kinds of practice runs before involving my students--and the practice paid off.  I had no trouble at all at my end, and because my practice enabled me to compile a detailed set of instructions for my students, most of them had very few problems, as well.

But--and this is important--we have great IT support at my school.  YMMV.