Class Collaborate End of Life Spring 2026

UToledo’s contract with Class Collaborate (formerly Blackboard Collaborate Ultra) will expire at the end of Spring 2026. Faculty should begin transitioning from Class Collaborate to Microsoft Teams for web conferencing and live course sessions.

How can I start using Microsoft Teams in my course?

Instructors teaching in Blackboard Ultra have access to Microsoft Education, a comprehensive digital learning platform that offers collaboration tools, learning accelerators, file sharing, and video meetings, all directly within the Blackboard course environment. The Microsoft Education integration allows instructors to schedule both individual and recurring Microsoft Teams meetings to host live class sessions and virtual office hours that students can join directly from Blackboard.

Quick Start Guides:

In-depth Guides:

Why are we making this change?

The University is streamlining tools for both budgetary and functionality considerations. Microsoft Education provides nearly all features offered by Collaborate, adds many addiitonal features, and is already contracted as part of Microsoft Suite.
Class Technologies, the company that acquired Class Collaborate, is shifting its focus to its primary product, Class. This would require the University, faculty, and students to transition to—and learn—a new system that duplicates what we can already do with Microsoft.
Microsoft applications, including Teams, are already widely used across the University, so most colleagues will find there’s minimal learning curve. It offers a consistent, accessible experience across different devices and directly integrates in Blackboard, making it an ideal replacement for Collaborate.

What does this mean for faculty and students?

As of Summer 2026, links to Class Collaborate and its recordings will no longer be available within Blackboard.
Microsoft Education integrates within Blackboard for all video conferencing needs, meaning faculty and students can access it directly in their Blackboard course.
Blackboard will continue to function as usual. Only the Class Collaborate integration will be removed.

How can I access previous Collaborate recordings?

If you have saved recordings in Class Collaborate that will be needed for future use, you can download them before the end of the Spring 2026 term, and upload them to Echo360 for future reference and direct linking capability in Blackboard.

How can I download, store or share my recordings?

For existing users of Class Collaborate, we recommend downloading Collaborate recordings and uploading to our secure, cloud-based video storage solution, Echo360. Echo will allow you to organize your video library and directly share videos in your Blackboard course.

Quick Start Guides:

In-depth Guides:

What about accessing recordings after May 2026?

Support for any stored recordings in Collab will end at the close of the Spring 2026 semester. It is recommended you save any desired recordings prior to the close of the semester.
After Spring 2026, archived recordings may be retrieved by submitting a request to UTLV@utoledo.edu. Please include course alphanumeric, term, and date of the desired recording(s).

What support will be provided?

We have identified Class Collaborate users and will partner with academic units and departments to address any unique needs that may arise during this transition. Please contact the UToledo Online Help Desk for additional assistance or requests.

Need help learning and navigating Echo360 or Teams? Request an ed tech consultation. Individual or group trainings are available with virtual and in-person options.

Training Request