Topics Map > Services > Teaching, Learning and Classrooms > Web Conferencing
Web Conferencing - Software Comparison
Below is a chart comparing the various features of Class Collaborate Ultra, Microsoft Teams Meetings, and Zoom.
|
Activity/Resources
|
Class Collaborate Ultra
|
Microsoft Team Meetings
|
Zoom
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Description of Product |
Web conferencing |
Communication & web conferencing |
Web conferencing |
|
Specifications/ Limitations |
Audience limit of 250 per session. Over 250 requires large event clearance |
250 simultaneous users in a meeting |
500 simultaneous users in a meeting. Livestream to FB/YouTube |
|
Browser Recommended |
Chrome/Firefox |
Chrome/Firefox |
Zoom Desktop Client/ App |
|
Screen Views |
up to 25 |
9 |
49/page with multiple pages |
|
Phone Access |
Audio only without the app installed on the phone and both audio/video while using the app |
Fully supported on mobile devices |
Audio only without the app installed on the phone and both audio/video while using the app |
|
Record Lectures |
Lectures can be recorded and saved in Blackboard |
Lectures can be recorded and saved to the Microsoft Stream account |
Lectures can be recorded and saved in the cloud or to the local device in .MP4 format |
|
Student Recordings |
Students can record if they are granted moderator privileges from the instructor |
Students can upload recordings to their Microsoft Stream account | All NDSU students have a licensed account and can record to their own device |
|
Guest speakers |
Guest speakers can be invited to the platform |
Guest speakers can be invited to the platform |
Guest speakers can be invited to the platform |
|
Polls/Surveys |
Supports multiple choice and Yes/No Polls/surveys |
Uses MS Forms |
Supports customizable polls/surveys |
| Closed Captioning |
Not available at this time | Yes (automated) | Yes (automated) |
|
Group Work
|
Utilizes Breakout Groups |
No, but Channels available in Teams site |
Utilizes Breakout Groups |
|
Virtual Office Hours with instructor |
Yes, supports one-on-one web conferencing |
Yes, supports one-on-one web conferencing |
Yes, supports one-on-one web conferencing |
|
Attendance |
Can be done using the attendance view report option for a meeting (integrated within the Blackboard grade center) | Can be done using download attendance report option for a meeting | Can be done using attendance report option for a meeting |
|
Remote access to student’s computer |
Students can share their screens, whiteboards, camera, files and applications |
Yes, by changing the settings in meeting policies |
Yes, by request remote control from the host or participant who is sharing their screen |
|
Desktop/Software Application sharing |
Desktop/Software Application can be shared | Desktop/Software Application can be shared | Desktop/Software Application can be shared |
|
Whiteboard |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Chat |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Mobile App |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Accessing Recordings |
Recordings are accessible within the Blackboard Course | Recordings are accessible via a link to Microsoft Stream sent to the cloud/host | Cloud recordings are accessible within the Blackboard course or through the NDSU Zoom Web Portal |
|
Waiting Room |
No, but Blackboard has breakout rooms which can be used as waiting rooms |
Yes. In the meeting options you can specify which users can bypass the lobby. Would need to set up for each class |
Yes. Waiting room can be enabled in the settings options |
|
Annotation |
Whiteboard
|
Whiteboard |
Content and whiteboard |
|
Scheduling a Call |
In Blackboard |
In Outlook |
In Blackboard, Outlook or Zoom |
|
Connecting to a Call |
In Blackboard Collab Ultra Section/or a link | Using mailed/posted link |
In Blackboard Zoom Section or a link |
|
Full screen content |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| How do students access recording | Click sessions menu in the upper left corner and select recordings | Click the link to Microsoft streams | Students will access the recording via a link posted by an instructor in Blackboard, or automatically available if Zoom sessions are imported into Blackboard |
| Saving chat messages | Right Click the Chat window. Select a location to save the chat, it will be saved as an HTML file | To save a chat message in Microsoft Teams, select Save message just to the right of the text | Chat messages can be saved using the save chat option. Click the 3 dots icon to the right of the chat box area, select Save Chat |
| Edit recordings | Only captions and recording names can be edited in Blackboard | In Teams, navigate to the meeting recording in the chat history and click More options, open in Microsoft Stream. From the Microsoft Stream portal click Edit. Under Options, click Captions and then Download file. Download the VTT caption file and make whatever changes necessary, then save it to your computer. In your browser uncheck Autogenerate a caption file and click Upload a caption file, click Select file, find your VTT caption file, then click OK and finally Apply. | Log in to verify that you are the video owner, then navigate to the Recordings tab. Click the title of the video. Click the play button to open the video editor |