BigBlueButton: Features, Uses, and Security Explained
What Is BigBlueButton?
BigBlueButton (BBB) is an open-source platform for voice and video conferences. Schools use the software for online teaching and digital learning.
Users can start a BigBlueButton lecture or conference through a hosted service or a self-hosted installation and invite other participants with a link. Teachers can also use a digital whiteboard or share their PowerPoint presentations on the screen. Conferences and lessons can be recorded and saved.
The creator of a conference can also protect it against unauthorized external access with an access code. In the past, the service has been integrated into more and more websites and online portals of schools and universities to simplify access.
How Is BigBlueButton Used?
If you have received an invitation link from someone, you must first follow it.
Should the creator have set up an access code, you will be prompted to enter it.
You now have to give yourself a name for this conference, and you are already participating. In the beginning, the system will ask you whether you want to participate with or without a webcam and whether you want to turn on the microphone.
As a rule, it is better for all participants if everyone leaves the microphone switched off at first; otherwise, disturbing background noise can occur.
Is BigBlueButton Secure?
The system is open source, meaning the code is visible, and anyone can use it. BigBlueButton can be hosted on a school, university, or company server, or through a third-party hosting provider.
To do this, the software must first be installed on a suitable server.
Hosting BigBlueButton on an institution’s own server gives it greater control over data storage, but it does not automatically guarantee that all data remains on that server.
What Features Does BigBlueButton Offer?
On the one hand, the program offers the already mentioned whiteboard function. The conference’s leader can write or draw on this whiteboard, but he can also authorise it for individual or all participants.
| Feature | Main Use |
| Video and audio conferencing | This feature enables participants to attend online classes and meetings. |
| Digital whiteboard | It allows teachers and participants to write or draw during sessions. |
| Screen sharing | This feature helps teachers present PowerPoint slides and other materials. |
| Session recording | Session recording allows sessions to be recorded for later viewing, where enabled. |
| Chat and status indicators | Supports text communication and quick feedback from participants. |
| Breakout rooms | Breakout rooms allow participants to work in smaller groups. |
| Access codes | These codes help restrict meeting access to people who have the required code. |
It is also possible to carry out voting. The participants can also communicate without a microphone via an integrated chat. It is also possible to set a status. With this status, participants can signal whether they agree with something or whether it worked correctly.
An important feature is breakout rooms. These rooms offer the opportunity to carry out group work. In the example of a school class, the teacher could activate the rooms and distribute the students to them. The students can pursue their group projects while the teacher can jump between rooms.
When the set time ends, the breakout rooms will close, and everyone will return to the main conference to discuss their results.
These features make online lessons a lot easier and come closer and closer to lessons at school.
BigBlueButton provides online teaching features that can help schools and universities deliver lessons remotely.
BigBlueButton’s privacy and security depend on how it is hosted and configured, including how personal data and recordings are handled. The various features ensure the best possible teaching experience and enable teaching from home.
The only downside is the sometimes non-existent access to high-speed internet or devices that meet the system requirements.
Conclusion
BigBlueButton is an open-source solution that offers online classes and video conferencing in addition to screen sharing, digital whiteboards, chat, breakout rooms, and more. This solution might be suitable for schools, universities, and other organizations for online collaboration, although the quality of the experience relies on the host, device compatibility, and internet speed.
