Conferences is a web-conferencing tool that is fully integrated with the Canvas LMS. Conferences makes it easy to conduct synchronous (real-time) meetings for all users in a course. Conferences allows users to broadcast real-time audio and video, demo applications, share presentation slides, or demo online resources. These features make this tool ideal for online class sessions, lectures, group discussions, and office hours. The web-conference tool behind conferences in Canvas is called "BigBlueButton".
Conferences is available to students at the Group level as well as to instructors at the Course level. If you do not see Conferences in your left navigation menu of your group homepage, reach out to your instructor to enable. You can locate your the group homepage for any group in any course by clicking on 'Groups' in the blue global navigation to the left.
In the group homepage, click on 'Conferences.' You can create a new video conference by selecting the "+ Conference" button.
If your instructor has not set up groups, or you would like to set your own up, head to the 'People' section of your course site and select the 'Groups' tab. From there you add a group by selecting '+ Group' and manually invite other students to join (or have them join on their own). Once a group has been made, a group homepage will be created and appear in the 'Groups' navigation for all members.
Getting Started
- Schedule/Start a conference: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10275-415265960
- How to record a conference: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10450-4152117864
- Video tutorial for moderators/presenters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9mbw00P9W0
- If you wish to share your screen you will need to download Java (this requires admin rights for CU classroom computers)
Download the Guides below for in-depth instructions for using BigBlueButton Conferences.
Below, one of our Platform Support Specialists guides you through the various tools and functions of BigBlueButton: