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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bigbluebutton.com/docs/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Building connections in a virtual classroom requires intentional use of communication tools. BigBlueButton offers several ways for participants to interact beyond audio.

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Public and Private Chat

Chat is often the most active communication channel in a virtual classroom:
  • Public chat — visible to everyone; great for questions, responses, and shared links
  • Private chat — one-on-one messages between any two participants; useful for individual support or quiet side conversations
See Send Public and Private Chat Messages.
Encourage students to use public chat for questions during a lecture. This lets quieter students participate without unmuting.

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Reactions

The reactions bar lets participants send quick, visual feedback without interrupting the speaker:
  • Emoji reactions appear briefly next to the user’s name
  • Use reactions for informal polls (“thumbs up if you understand”)
  • Reactions lower the barrier to participation
See Reactions Bar.

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Status Indicators

Participants can set a status emoji to communicate their state:
  • Raise hand — signal a question or comment
  • Away — indicate you’ve stepped away
  • Custom status emojis for mood or feedback
See Set a Status.

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Tips for Building Connection

  • Start with an icebreaker — use public chat or reactions for a quick warm-up
  • Acknowledge participation — call out good questions and reactions by name
  • Use private chat for support — check in with quiet students individually
  • Model the behavior — use reactions and chat yourself to normalize participation