Communication channels and collaboration tools

There are wide selections of IT-related communication channels available to staff, students and researchers. You can be used to make announcements, facilitate teaching and learning and provide ways for groups to collaborate online.

For staff and students:

  • Discussion boards
  • Wikis
  • Blogs
  • Online surveys and questionnaires
  • Journals
  • Online chat/instant messaging for students via Blackboard and staff via Microsoft Lync
  • Online video hosting via the Video Library Service
  • Video conferencing

For staff:

  • Lecture capture using podcasting
  • Voice authoring to introduce class or course assignments
  • Digitisation of course materials
  • Voice podcasts, presentations and emails

For announcements:

  • RSS/News feeds
  • Message of the Day (broadcast in student PC clusters and My Manchester)
  • Email lists via mailing lists and via Blackboard
  • Group SMS/text messaging (charges may apply)
  • Digital signage in the Learning Commons

The University Communications and Marketing team have provided some guidelines for student communications which you may find useful.

Online collaboration

Blogs, discussion boards and wikis can only be created by staff but students are able to contribute to discussions after they have been set up.

Surveys can be written and published online by either students or staff. There are no restrictions as to who surveys can be sent to.

Announcements

News feeds and Message of the Day notices must be approved by the central Communications and Marketing team.

IT related screensaver notices are reviewed and approved by IT Service Communications for distribution.

SMS Text Messages

Group text messages must be approved the IT Services Telecoms team.

Access information

Further information on the Blackboard collaboration tools (discussion boards, blogs, journals and the Bb9 wiki) is available alongside a guide suggesting uses for the tools and a full Blackboard guide on blogs, journals and wikis.

Contact elearning@manchester.ac.uk for more information or assistance relating to Blackboard.

If the tools are not for teaching purposes or if facilities in Blackboard are not sufficient for your requirements, contact the IT Service Desk as a number of alternative systems are available.

For more information on voice tools see Voice Tool features in Bb9 (staff):

Video creation for software demonstrations can be designed using Adobe Captivate, which is available from the Electronic Software Delivery System (ESD).

For more information on making announcements to students contact studentnews@manchester.ac.uk.

Contact the IT Support Centre if you wish to set up an online survey or for any other communication, collaboration or announcement requests.