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BigBlueButton (BBB) is an online web conferencing tool that is accessed in Canvas. BBB allows you to conduct real-time lectures and meetings.
The free tier licensing of BBB that SVSU has access to has limited features. For this reason, ITS recommends using EchoVideo or Microsoft Teams for holding and recording your classes. Both Methods integrate with Canvas, and both have more features than BBB.
Free Tier - BBB Limitations
- Video Availability
- Videos expire in 7 days.
- Videos cannot be downloaded.
- Videos are only available to students who were invited to the conference.
- External Guests - Cannot be invited to a BBB conference.
Microsoft Teams vs BigBlueButton
Summary: If you're searching for a web conferencing tool for online meetings and classes, both Microsoft Teams and Big Blue Button are excellent options offering real-time sharing of audio, video, slides, chat (including private messages), and screen sharing/control. They also provide features like breakout rooms, polls for student assessments, emojis for real-time reactions, and an interactive whiteboard. These tools are equipped with a wide array of capabilities to experience a successful live meeting.
Comparison table
Important Note: Below the table is a conclusion of important aspects of both Teams and BBB. This is not an exhaustive list of both platforms, for the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit their respective websites.
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Features
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Microsoft Teams
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Big Blue Button
(Free tier)
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Accessibility/Live
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Yes, spoken audio is auto caption using “Live Captions”.
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No, it does not auto caption spoken words. It requires manual input third-party second moderator in the meeting.
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Analytics Dashboard
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Yes
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Yes, there is real time activity.
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Assignments/Gradebook
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Yes, inside of a Teams class
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No
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Audio - Built-in and Dial-in Numbers
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Yes
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Yes
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Breakout Rooms
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Yes, 50 break out rooms can be created before/during a meeting.
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Yes, 24 breakout rooms can be created during a meeting.
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Capacity
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300 users
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25 users
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Chat (Public/Private)
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Yes, persistent
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Yes, only during the meeting
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Dedicated app
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Yes, Teams
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No
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Document Upload
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Yes, Microsoft files and PDF
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Yes, PDF recommended
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Hand Raise
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Yes
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Yes
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Integration Canvas
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Yes
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Yes
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Integrations Other
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Yes, Microsoft apps including OneDrive and EchoVideo
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No
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Lobby/Waiting Room
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Yes
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Yes
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Meeting Options
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Yes
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Yes
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Polling
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Yes
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Yes
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Reactions (Emojis)
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Yes
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Yes
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Recordings
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Yes, access expires in 120 days or set no expiration date in OneDrive.
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Yes, access expires in 7 days.
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Recordings Downloadable
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Yes
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No
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Screen share/control
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Yes
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Yes
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Share External Websites
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Yes
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Yes
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Shared Notes
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Yes
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Yes
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Virtual Backgrounds
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Yes, 20+ and custom.
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Yes, 4 preset templates and custom.
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Webcam Video
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Yes, streamed in High Definition (1080p). Good compression and less bandwidth.
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Yes, streamed in Standard Definition (720p). Poor compression and high bandwidth.
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Whiteboard (multi-user)
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Yes, Teams can annotate on top of any shared screen during a meeting and its own WhiteBoard.
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Yes, BBB can only annotate on the whiteboard during a meeting.
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SVSU ITS recommends the use of Microsoft Teams for Synchronous class sessions, or virtual office hours. Microsoft Teams out performs BBB in nearly all features to what is listed above, Teams can invite external guests and has built in noise reduction. The accessibility feature alone makes Teams surpass BBB to ensure student success for all learners.
Use EchoVideo or Teams instead of BBB
More Information on BBB