UA offers several tools and technologies that can assist with flexible learning modes. Review the example scenarios and tool comparison chart below to find the tool that fits your need.
Example Scenarios
Scenario 1: Hybrid
My class has lecture and lab components. The lecture will be asynchronous and the labs will meet online in small groups.
Use Panopto to record and share your lecture, as well as any information about the lab that students should receive before joining their online group session. Use Zoom or Collaborate Ultra for lab meetings.
Scenario 2: Face-to-Face
I’m teaching a face-to-face course but some students will be attending virtually. I need my students to be able to speak to each other in small groups during class.
Use Collaborate Ultra to teach your class and have students join from a computer or mobile device whether they are in class or not. Assign them to breakout rooms for group discussions. Record the session and make available after class for those who were not able to participate live.
Breakout Groups
Features |
Collaborate
|
Zoom |
Flip |
Microsoft Teams |
Panopto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronous meetings with recording available | Synchronous meetings with recording available | Asynchronous presentation and discussion tool | Synchronous meetings with recording available | Asynchronous video presentation or one-click synchronous webcasting | |
Integration |
|||||
| Integrated with Blackboard | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Integrated with Blackboard Grade Center | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Sharing |
|||||
| Screen Share | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Application Share | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| File Share | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive Whiteboard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Export Whiteboard | No | Yes | n/a | Yes | n/a |
| Share Content to Breakout Groups | Yes | Messages only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Share Computer Audio | Yes (Chrome tab) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Share Video | Yes (Chrome tab) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Recording |
|||||
| Session Recording | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recording Download | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Recording | Yes | Yes | n/a | No | Yes |
Audio |
|||||
| Telephony (Phone Conferencing) | Yes | Yes | n/a | Yes | Yes |
Video |
|||||
| Simultaneous Participant Video | 4 | up to 49 | n/a | 49 | n/a |
| Live Closed Captioning | Yes (Manual) | Yes (Manual) | n/a | Yes | No |
| Automated Captioning of Recordings | No | No | Yes | Manual | Yes |
Chat |
|||||
| Chat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chat Export | Recorded Sessions Only | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Private Chat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Browser pop-up notifications or alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Breakout Groups |
|||||
| Breakout Groups | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Breakout Group Recording | No | Yes | n/a | Yes | n/a |
| Pre-assigned Participants | No | Yes | n/a | Yes | n/a |
Tools |
|||||
| Polling | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Timer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hand Raising | Yes | Yes | n/a | Yes | No |
| Attendance/Session Report | Yes | Yes | n/a | Yes | Yes |
| Invite Guests | Yes | Yes | n/a | No | Yes |
| Maximum Number of Attendees | 250-500 | 300 | n/a | 250 | Unlimited |
| Session Time Limit | No | Unlimited (pro account) 40 min (basic account) | Unlimited | 8 hours | No |
| Multiple Moderators | Yes | Yes | n/a | Yes | n/a |
| Supported Browsers | Chrome, Firefox, Safari | Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+, Safari 7+, IE 11+, Edge 12+ | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari | Browser-based participation is limited | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer |
| Session Scheduling | Yes | Yes | n/a | Yes | Yes** |
| Stores Content (content added to a session will be available until a Moderator deletes the content) | Yes | No | n/a | Yes | Yes |
| Students Can Create Sessions | No | Account holders only | n/a | Upon Request | Yes |
| Browser Based (no download required) | Yes | Yes, but download available | Yes | Yes | Yes*** |
**Requires the use of Panopto Remote recorder. Contact cit@ua.edu for more information.
***Browser-based recording does not include the full Panopto feature set. It is highly recommended that instructors record using the Panopto Recorder application.