# Virtual Classroom - Video Conferencing & Online Meeting with BigBlueButton # Contributors: blindsidenetworks, jfederico, yfngdu, elearningevolve, adeelraza_786@hotmail.com Donate link: https://link.elearningevolve.com/self-pay Tags: virtual classroom, video conference, BigBlueButton, BBB, online meeting, web conferencing, online teaching, learning management system, LMS, online session, live training, video conferencing, video conference, meetings, virtual meetings Requires at least: 5.1 Tested up to: 7.0 Requires PHP: 7.2 Stable tag: 3.2.0 License: GPLv2 or later License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html This plugin allows teachers to manage their live virtual classrooms, video conference and online meeting right from WordPress. As an educator, this stands out as one of the top choices for online meetings. ## Description ## **Dedicated Support** For quick support and assistance, please contact us here [https://elearningevolve.com/contact/](https://elearningevolve.com/contact/) [Virtual Classroom for WordPress](https://wordpress.org/plugins/video-conferencing-with-bbb) integrates [BigBlueButton](https://bigbluebutton.org/) into WordPress through which teachers can manage their virtual classrooms/video conferences right from the WP dashboard. BBB stands as an open-source video conferencing solution crafted with the motto **"Built For Teachers"**. Equipped with all the essential features typical of a web conferencing platform, it goes beyond by facilitating active collaboration to enhance virtual classroom engagement. As an educator, BBB stands out as one of the top choices for online meetings. Explore all its features [here](https://support.blindsidenetworks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052738972-What-are-the-features-in-BigBlueButton-). ### Virtual Classroom for WordPress Features ### Virtual Classroom for WordPress enables the user to create BBB rooms right from the WordPress dashboard. Once the room is created it can be added to any WordPress page through a simple shortcode. There is also a possibility to enter multiple rooms in the shortcode to let the user choose the room that they want to join. The student can simply click Join from the page where the shortcode is added and enter the BBB room where the teacher can initiate a virtual classroom session. After the session is over the plugin can also display the recording of the session on the same page so that the students can take the keynotes from the session later on. ### Free Plugin Limitations ### * Add New option for BBB Rooms on backend is limited to only a maximum of 2 Rooms * Join room on the same page is not available. Only join in a new full screen window is supported ### REQUIRED: Separate BigBlueButton Server ### **BBB software requires a separate hosting server that should be connected to our plugin. Please refer to our [hosting guide](https://elearningevolve.com/blog/hosting-virtual-classroom-for-wordpress/) for setup.** **This free plugin uses a BigBlueButton server provided by Blindside Networks for testing purposes only, is available "AS IS" without any warranty. It's publicly accessible, and sessions and recordings may be open to anyone. Recordings on this testing server are not accessible and will be removed after 7 days, so do not rely on them.** ### Pro Version Features ### There is also a Pro version available with this plugin that offers the below features: * Moderators frontend Room management area * Embed BigBlueButton Room on WordPress i.e join room on the same WP page * Set a Countdown/Schedule for Room * Fully White-label Virtual Classroom * Limit the max allowed participants for a room e.g (5, 10, .. etc) both on a per room and per page basis. This can allow you to conduct a 1:1 or group session * Upload your brand logo that is visible in the BBB room * Customize the room background-color as per your brand color * Change welcome message that is displayed in the Public Chat section of the room * Customize thank you message when the user leaves the meeting * Pre-upload your presentation (ability to upload both globally and per room basis) **[Get Pro Version](https://elearningevolve.com/products/wp-virtual-classroom/)** ### Video Guide ### [![Video Guide](https://elearningevolve.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bbb-room-youtube.jpeg)](https://youtu.be/xb5wR-VcrXs) [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb5wR-VcrXs] ### How-Tos ### * [How to set up hosting & get Endpoint URL/Secret for Virtual Classroom for WordPress](https://elearningevolve.com/blog/hosting-virtual-classroom-for-wordpress/) * [How to join BigBlueButton Room from WordPress](https://elearningevolve.com/blog/how-to-join-bigbluebutton-room-from-wordpress/) * [How to limit number of users for BigBlueButton Room on WordPress](https://elearningevolve.com/blog/how-to-limit-number-of-users-for-bigbluebutton-room-on-wordpress/) * [How to allow instructors or users to manage BigBlueButton Rooms on WordPress](https://elearningevolve.com/blog/how-to-allow-instructors-to-manage-bbb-rooms-on-wp/) For further queries feel free to [contact us](https://elearningevolve.com/contact/) or directly reach out on *info@elearningevolve.com* ## Installation ## Here's an overview of the installation. 1. Log in as an admin and click on the Plugins menu on the sidebar. 1. Click Add new. 1. In the search bar enter "Video Conferencing with BBB" and click search plugins. 1. When you find the plugin called Video Conferencing with BBB by eLearning evolve click the install now link. 1. Activate the Plugin. 1. Click on BBB Rooms in the sidebar and click on Server Settings. 1. Fill out the URL of where the BigBlueButton server is running (be sure to add /bigbluebutton/ to the end of the URL) and it's salt. Then click on Save. 1. Click on BBB Rooms in the sidebar. 1. Add a new room and publish it. 1. Click on BBB Rooms in the sidebar again and copy the token of your new room. 1. Click on widgets under the Appearance menu. 1. Find the BBB Rooms Widget. Then click and drag it to either the right, content or footer windows on the right of the screen depending on where you wish the BBB Rooms widget to appear. 1. Enter the token you copied earlier into the widget and save it. 1. You are ready to begin creating meetings and holding conferences. ## Frequently Asked Questions ## **What is WP Virtual Classroom?** WP Virtual Classroom is a WordPress plugin that turns your site into a live virtual classroom using BigBlueButton, an open-source video conferencing tool built specifically for teaching. **Can I use WP Virtual Classroom with WordPress?** Yes. It installs like any standard WordPress plugin and runs on any self-hosted WordPress site, integrating directly with your existing pages, posts, and courses. **How many students or participants can join a single BigBlueButton room using this plugin?** Our plugin does not set or restrict the number of students who can join a room. The participant limit depends entirely on your BigBlueButton (BBB) hosting server resources and configuration. Even with the free version of the plugin, room capacity is determined by your server's hosting limits, not the plugin itself. **Does WP Virtual Classroom support live online classes?** Absolutely. Teachers can host live, interactive sessions with HD video, while students join directly from your site without requiring a separate app or download. **Can teachers and students join a virtual classroom?** Yes. Instructors can manage rooms from the WordPress dashboard, while students can join the live class directly from a course, lesson, or topic page. **Does it support screen sharing and video conferencing?** Yes. WP Virtual Classroom supports screen sharing, HD video and audio, public and private chat, whiteboard annotation, breakout rooms, polling, and more. **Can I schedule virtual classes?** Yes. The Pro plugin lets you set a scheduled start time for a virtual class. Students see a countdown screen and are automatically redirected into the room when the class begins. **Is WP Virtual Classroom compatible with LMS plugins?** Yes. WP Virtual Classroom can be used with WordPress LMS plugins to provide live virtual classroom functionality within your courses. **Can I use it with LearnDash?** Yes. WP Virtual Classroom works with LearnDash and allows you to embed a virtual classroom directly on a lesson or topic page, so learners can attend live classes without leaving their course. **Is WP Virtual Classroom easy to set up?** Yes. Setup is straightforward: activate the free base plugin, connect your BigBlueButton server credentials, and create your first room in minutes. ## Screenshots ## 1. Features: Audio - built-in and dial-in numbers (in some regions), Video - low, medium, and high resolution, Screen sharing, Chat (public/private), Upload slides (any PDF, Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, or Excel), Whiteboard annotation, Multi-user whiteboard, Breakout rooms, Shared notes, Raise hand, Emojis, Polling, Share external video, Recordings, Browser and Mobile Friendly HTML5 interface, runs on desktop, laptop, and mobile devices using iOS 12.2+ and Android 6.0+. 2. BBB Meeting Room. 3. BBB Rooms are a Content Type that has its own view. 4. BBB Rooms can be embedded into Posts, Pages, and other Content Types using shortcodes. 5. Multiple rooms can be accessed from the same Page or Post. 6. Server settings define where the meetings are hosted. 7. BBB Rooms can be managed through the Administrator Dashboard. 8. BBB Rooms can also be organized using Categories. ## Changelog ## ### 3.2.0 ### * Fixed: When an admin shares a room link with a participant, recorded meetings are no longer shown as soon as the page opens. The participant must enter their name and access code first. * Improved: After a participant enters a valid name and access code, the room recordings are now displayed on the page so they can review past sessions before joining live. * Improved: Participants using a shared room link now follow a simple two-step process: first sign in to view recordings, then click Join again to enter the live meeting. * Fixed: If a participant closes the browser tab and opens the same room link again, they are now asked for their name and access code again instead of being taken straight to the recordings or live meeting. ### 3.1.4 #### * Security: Fixed unauthorized access to room join UI and recordings on BBB room permalink pages. Auto-injected content now requires proper access checks and is opt-in only. ### 3.1.3 ### * Updated: Concise FAQ answers, proper markdown links instead of raw URLs, and cleaner formatting. ### 3.1.2 ### * Updated: Readme optimised with UK SEO keywords for WordPress virtual classroom, live class, e-learning, distance learning, and remote teaching searches. ### 3.1.1 ### * Fixed: Pages that use the meeting shortcode (to let people join a room) now show only the join/start meeting area again. A list of recordings will no longer appear under that shortcode by default, so the page stays simple for your visitors. * Fixed: The BBB Rooms sidebar widget now shows only the join form as well, without automatically adding recordings under it. ### 3.1.0 ### * Fixed: Translation support by using the correct plugin text domain, so the right text displays properly even if translations aren’t loaded. * Fixed: WordPress conflict handling so the plugin no longer automatically deactivates other plugins (user must control activation). * Updated: Admin menu placement (“BBB Rooms”) to match WordPress admin hierarchy better. ### 3.0.0 ### * ⚠️Important Notice: Please test on staging site before updating on a live site due to major changes to the plugin codebase. * Major Upgrade: Pro plugin is 6.0.0 is a must to work with the Free plugin 3.0.0 major upgrade * Major Upgrade: Updated all function names to comply with WordPress.org plugin standards * Major Upgrade: Updated all class names to comply with WordPress.org plugin standards * Major Upgrade: Updated all variable names to comply with WordPress.org plugin standards * Breaking Changes: Significant refactoring of plugin codebase for WordPress.org compliance ### 2.5.3 ### * Fixed: Translation strings now use actual default messages instead of placeholder keys so the correct text displays when translation files are missing or not loaded (Room Settings: server notice, success/error messages) * Updated: Regenerated .pot/.po translation files; compatibility tested with WordPress 6.9.1 ### 2.5.2 ### * Fixed: Multiple recording buttons in the recording view ### 2.5.1 ### * Fixed: Fatal error in previous v2.5.0 update ### 2.5.0 ### * Added: Allow LearnDash Instructors and Group Leaders to embed room shortcode ### 2.4.3 ### * Fixed: Access code not updates are not applied for the room * Fixed: Shortcode does not display in the admin rooms list ### 2.4.2 ### * Added: Character limit message for meeting access code on the meeting edit page ### 2.4.1 ### * Added: Translation support for a few text snippets in the plugin that were not translation friendly ### 2.4.0 ### * Updated: Improved UI and button styling * Compatibility: Tested with WordPress v6.5.3 ### 2.3.9 ### * Fixed: Addressed CSS conflict with Tooltips Pro plugin that prevented the shortcode from displaying on the All Rooms list page. ### 2.3.8 ### * Fixed: plugin shortcodes not working with Woffice WordPress theme ### 2.3.7 ### * Updated: Performance updates and speed optimization ### 2.3.6 ### * Updated: BBB hosting details on settings page * Added: Support for adding custom button text with Pro plugin ### 2.3.5 ### * Tested: Compatibility with WP v6.4.3 ### 2.3.4 ### * Fixed: BBB shortcode column displays on admin screens other than BBB room list ### 2.3.3 ### * Updated: Sort recordings in descending order by date in BBB room recordings list display ### 2.3.2 ### * Updated: Improve UI styling for recording table view on room page ### 2.3.1 ### * Fixed: 400 error on recording view due to incorrect recording URL ### 2.3.0 ### * Updated: Improve layout for Recording list on room join page for mobile view ### 2.2.2 ### * Fixed: Added checks to prevent PHP warning & minor bug fixes ### 2.2.1 ### * Updated: Improved reporting messages in the plugin * Added: Quick subscribe option from plugin settings page * Removed: Subscribe page from plugin menus ### 2.2.0 ### * Added: BBBHost.Cloud [test instance](https://elearningevolve.com/blog/hosting-virtual-classroom-for-wordpress/#start-test) start button on settings page ### 2.1.1 ### * Updated: Plugin hosting notice on settings page ### 2.1.0 ### * Added: [Hosting guide](https://elearningevolve.com/blog/hosting-virtual-classroom-for-wordpress/) details on the plugin settings page. ### 2.0.1 ### * Fixed: Ability to add Endpoint URL not having /bigbluebutton in the URL ### 2.0.0 ### * Added: Support for adding multiple BBB rooms on a single page * Added: Support for adding multiple BBB room join forms on a single page * Added: Support for adding multiple BBB room recordings on a single page ### 1.6.2 ### * Fixed: Start/Join Here button opening in a new tab change it to open in the same window ### 1.6.1 ### * Added: Compatibility with v2.4.3 of the [BigBlueButton Pro plugin](https://elearningevolve.com/products/wp-virtual-classroom/) * Fixed: Join button UI issue on some browsers ### 1.6.0 ### * Added: Compatibility with v2.4.2 of the [BigBlueButton Pro plugin](https://elearningevolve.com/products/wp-virtual-classroom/) * Updated: Use the testing Blindside Networks BigBlueButton server when using free plugin * Fixed: Ability to open BBB room in browser when Joining Fullscreen from BuddyBoss mobile App ### 1.5.4 ### * Fixed: Recording delete not working from BBB room page when pro plugin not enabled ### 1.5.3 ### * Fixed: Wait for Moderator option not working on some BBB hosts * Updated: Require username input when user is not logged in to prevent join error ### 1.5.2 ### * Updated: Compatibility with BBB Pro v2.4.0 ### 1.5.1 ### * Fixed: Remove admin permissions incorrectly set for other user roles in v1.2.1 update ### 1.5.0 ### * Updated: Allow all logged-in users to access the BBB room without the need to enter the Access Code ### 1.4.4 ### * Added: Share recording option for admins and moderators on bbb room page * Updated: Confirmation check before deleting recording ### 1.4.3 ### * Fixed: Error when moderator and viewer access codes are same while saving room * Updated: New shortcodes added in Settings -> Shortcode Guide section ### 1.4.2 ### * Added: New capability add_bbb_rooms to allow Add New rooms access to admins and users with this new capability * Added: Update capability permissions on each plugin update to prevent the need for activate/deactivate plugin * Updated: Performance improvement with code optimization ### 1.4.1 ### * Updated: Remove custom fields from BBB Rooms -> Add New * Added: New capability can_limit_user_in_bbb_rooms the room limit option will show only to admins and users with this new capability * Added: New tutorial [How to allow instructors or users to manage BigblueButton Rooms on WordPress](https://elearningevolve.com/blog/how-to-allow-instructors-to-manage-bbb-rooms-on-wp/) in plugin settings page ### 1.4.0 ### * Added: Tutorials section on plugin settings page * Added: Shortcode guide section on settings page for all available plugin shortcodes * Updated: Restrict settings page access only to Admin level users * Updated: BBB multiple room select shortcode layout to align with the join form * Updated: Compatibility for Room level limit feature addition in Pro plugin * Fixed: Access code error message does not display when codes updated while meeting is running ### 1.3.1 ### * Fixed: Error Call to undefined function get_current_screen() ### 1.3.0 ### * Added: Automatically create a default Home Room under BBB Rooms -> All Rooms admin page * Added: Ability to start meeting from BBB Rooms -> All Rooms * Added: Ability to filter rooms by category from BBB Rooms -> All Rooms\ * Added: Help text on BBB Rooms -> All Rooms page * Updated: Admin view of All Rooms page ### 1.2.1 ### * Added: updated FAQ section and added new answers * Updated: Removed restriction for preview of unpublished rooms * Fixed: BBB Room create/edit permissions granted to non-admin user roles * Fixed: Permissions are not assigned on plugin activate [Action needed] Please deactivate and activate the plugin to apply the above fixes ### 1.2.0 ### * Added: Compatibility for per shortcode max participant room limit in Pro plugin * Added: Compatibility for pre upload presentation (global and per room basis) in Pro plugin * Added: Compatibility for the ability to customize background color for the room in Pro plugin * Added: Shortcode usage guide on the plugin settings page ### 1.1.6 ### * Fixed: You did not pass the checksum security check error on room join with BBB On Demand Server ### 1.1.5 ### * Fixed: The page can't be found error when viewing a BBB room [Action needed] Please deactivate and activate the plugin to apply this fix ### 1.1.4 ### * Added: compatibility for the max room participant limit feature added in Pro plugin ### 1.1.3 ### * Added: compatibility for the room start time & countdown feature added in Pro plugin * Fixed: Super admin can not login WP multisite after activating the plugin ### 1.1.2 ### * Added: Our [Pro version](https://elearningevolve.com/products/wp-virtual-classroom/) release notice on the plugin settings page ### 1.1.1 ### * Updated: Removed the need to assign activate_plugins user permission for admin BBB Rooms menu. * Added: Use capability "publish_bbb_rooms" for admin BBB Rooms menu access by any user role. ### 1.1.0 ### * Updated: Replaced the older test server credentials of Blindside Networks by [Bigbluebutton.host](https://bigbluebutton.host/) test server in plugin settings. * Fixed: Blindside Networks test server not working anymore, not able to join rooms. * Updated: Minor style changes, room join form center aligned with the page. ### 1.0.4 ### * Added: [Our Recommended BBB hosting providers](https://elearningevolve.com/blog/bigbluebutton-hosting) blog in plugin settings. * Compatibility: Tested with WP version 5.9.1. ### 1.0.3 ### * Fixed: EndPoint URL & Shared Secret/Salt settings not saved and shows error sometimes. * Improvement: Make error messages & recording page button text more user-friendly. * Improvement: Added new hooks in plugin. ### 1.0.2 ### * Tested: compatibility with WordPress v5.8.3. * Improvement: Added new hooks in plugin. * Improvement: Security enhancement on recordings section. ### 1.0.1 ### * Fixed: plugin warning messages on WP dashboard. * Improvement: Readability of plugin conflict messages. ### 1.0.0 ### This plugin is a fork of the BigBlueButton plugin initially released by Blindside Networks but no longer maintained. * Improvement: Security enhancement on room join page. * Improvement: Tested with WP version 5.8.2. * Improvement: Ability to copy the shortcode from the BBB Rooms listing page. * Improvement: Use HTTPS version for the test bigbluebutton endpoint ## Upgrade Notice ## ### 3.0.0 ### Maintenance release: fixes for block themes on room pages, recording edit/share URLs, duplicate recordings list, and safer request handling. No manual steps required after updating.