What’s new with BigBlueButton 3.0?
If you’ve been using BigBlueButton (BBB) for a while, you’ll know it’s always evolving.
BigBlueButton just got a serious upgrade with version 3.0, and there are a lot of changes that make teaching (and learning) smoother, more interactive, and just better.
I’ve been playing around with the new features, and here’s what’s stood out to me.
Whiteboard Upgrade
The whiteboard was already a decent tool, but this update enables you to more easily use it to be responsive to the groups needs as you teach. All of these features area also available in multi user mode too, so learners can utlise them in breakout rooms or as part of the main session.
These features have always been available on BBB, but they are now smoother to use and customise:
- Adding post-it notes for activities and session notes (great for brainstorming)
- Use arrows, tick/cross marks, and shapes to highlight key points or create a diagram
- Using the pen, annotate as you go, just like in the traditional classroom.
You can also now:
- Highlight text for emphasis
- Add clickable links, so students can go straight to a website or article from the whiteboard.
Need to break something down further? Scribble on the board, drop in a link, and keep going.
It’s also much easier to move things around, and both you and your students can easy take ‘snapshots’ of the slides with annotations to save for later.
There’s also a new infinite whiteboard feature (currently experimental) that lets you write in the margins and expand the workspace. If multi-user mode is enabled, students can even roam around the whiteboard independently.
Note infinite whiteboard recording isn’t available yet, but it’s on the roadmap.
User friendly public chat
Public chat has had an upgrade:
- Edit your own messages (goodbye typos).
- Reply to specific messages so conversations don’t get lost.
- React to messages with emojis, sometimes a quick 👍 is all you need.
- Delete individual messages (You don’t have to clear the entire chat just to remove one comment).
It’s a small change, but it really helps with student participation in the chat.
The new away mode
Have you ever had a moment when you direct question a learner and wonder if they have disappeared to make a cup of tea?
Now, there’s a clear away indicator that lets users show when they’ve stepped away.
- Set yourself to Away, and your video and audio will automatically mute.
- Switch back to Available, and they’ll turn back on.
- A public chat message lets others know you’re back.
- Your avatar updates in the user list to show you’re away.
No more awkward “Hello? Are you still there?” moments, particulary in large group sessions.
More Flexibility with Plugins – Built for Customisation
One of the great things about BigBlueButton being open-source is that contributors can develop and add their own features. This means organisations can customise BBB to fit their specific needs, rather than being stuck with a one-size-fits-all solution.
Some older core features have been removed from the default setup in BBB 3.0, but if you still need them, they’re available as separate plugins. At the same time, new plugins have been made available, giving even more options to extend functionality.
This modular approach means you can pick and choose the features that work best for your setup, whether you need interactive learning tools, better session management, or more accessibility features.
Display a webpage
Display a webpage to all users within BBB without the faff of screen sharing.
Auto-Volume Adjust
Lowers external video volume when someone speaks (so discussions don’t get drowned out).
Media Popout
Pop out webcam or screen shares into a separate window for better multitasking.
Source code highlight
Makes it easier to share and read code inside the chat (great for coding classes).
@ Chat Mentions
Tag users directly in chat.
Select Random User
Great for quiz games or calling on students at random.
Typed Captions
Auto captioning is already embedded within BBB. This plugin allows you to manually type captions for accessibility or live translations to meet specific needs.
Session Share
Let others join a live session by invite link or QR code
Guided Tour
Adds a button to guide new users through BBB’s features.
H5P Integration
This is a big one! BigBlueButton 3.0 now integrates with H5P!
Until now, if you wanted to use H5P activities in a BBB session, you had to send students to another page or rely on screen sharing. Not anymore!
With the new H5P / BBB plugin, these activities can be embedded directly inside the sessionmeaning students stay engaged without leaving the virtual classroom.
For anyone not familiar, H5P is an open-source tool that lets you create things like:
- Drag-and-drop exercises
- Timelines
- Crossword puzzles
- Interactive videos
- Image hotspots
For now, the integration supports crosswords and drag-and-drop exercises, but this is just the beginning.
With H5P’s huge library of interactive content types, I fully expect to see more interactive content types added in future updates.
Imagine being able to run interactive quizzes, fill-in-the-blanks, timeline exercises, and even interactive videos, all inside BBB.
For educators, trainers, and anyone running virtual learning, this is a huge step forward. I don’t believe that any other platform offers these all in one features.
Other notable mentions…
Alongside the major updates, BBB 3.0 comes with a few smaller tweaks that might not steal the spotlight, but definitely improve the overall experience.
The “Leave Session” Button Has Moved
It used to be way too easy to accidentally end the session for everyone with a misclick. Now, the “Leave Session” button is tucked away in a more deliberate location, reducing the risk of unintentional classroom evacuations.
Improved Poll Formatting
Poll results are easier to read. Shared results now display more clearly on-screen and in public chat.
Private chat ‘read receipts’
Private chat messages now have read receipts so you know when someone has seen your message.
Final thoughts
BigBlueButton has always been built for educators, by educators, and BBB 3.0 really reinforces that. The updates aren’t just cosmetic changes, they genuinely improve how online learning works, making sessions more interactive, seamless, and engaging.
With a more powerful whiteboard, smarter chat tools, better muting controls, plugin support, and H5P integration, it’s clear that BBB is continuing to evolve into the best virtual classroom platform out there.
And this is just the start. With more H5P content types and other enhancements likely on the horizon, I’m excited to see what comes next.
If you’re already using BBB, I’d love to hear what you think of the updates. Which new feature are you most excited about? Drop a comment!
And if you haven’t tried BigBlueButton 3.0 yet, now’s the time!
BigBlueButton® is a registered trademark of BigBlueButton Inc. This blog post is an independent review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by BigBlueButton Inc. All trademarks, service marks, and company names are the property of their respective owners.
