Blackboard Announces New Integrations for Blackboard Collaborate

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackboard Inc. today announced new integrations that enable the Blackboard Collaborate™ platform to be used seamlessly with an even broader range of learning management systems (LMS), extending the company's focus on interoperability and support for multiple LMS platforms.

The integrations, developed and supported by Agilix, Epsilen and itslearning, join existing integrations for a wide range of commercial and open source learning management systems including an enhanced integration with the company's flagship LMS, Blackboard Learn™ 9.1. The integrations provide educators and learners with a single point of access to the Blackboard Collaborate platform's robust set of Web conferencing capabilities directly within the LMS to help create a more interactive and social learning experience.

"For many institutions today, successful educational initiatives mean a blended approach using both asynchronous and synchronous technology," said Maurice Heiblum, president of Blackboard Collaborate. "Through partnerships with an ever growing set of education-focused software providers, Blackboard Collaborate delivers on our commitment to provide open, accessible collaboration solutions to support our customers' technology choices."

By accessing the Blackboard Collaborate platform within the LMS, students can attend live virtual sessions, view recordings with a single click and easily connect with their peers and instructors. Instructors and administrators can save time by eliminating the need for multi-system training and streamlining administrative tasks.

"We believe that integrating with a tool focused on presence, such as Blackboard Collaborate, will further enhance the capabilities around teaching and learning success in the Epsilen Environment," said Evan Nisonson, CEO of Epsilen. "We are excited to bring this combined value to institutions, educators and students."

The new integrations reinforce Blackboard's commitment to open integrations and cross-platform support that give institutions greater flexibility in selecting technologies to support their learning environments. The integrations are supported by the Blackboard Collaborate platform's open APIs that are included at no extra cost for Blackboard clients. In addition to Blackboard Learn 9.1, the Blackboard Collaborate platform can be integrated seamlessly with a wide range of learning management systems including Blackboard Learn ANGEL Edition®, WebCT®, Moodle™, Sakai®, Pearson LearningStudio™, Fronter™ and Desire2Learn™.

"By giving our users access to Blackboard Collaborate directly through itslearning, we're answering their need to communicate, share and collaborate at any place and anytime with the latest web conferencing technology," said Arne Bergby, CEO, itslearning. "It really makes itslearning a great way to enrich the learning experience – both in and outside the classroom."

Blackboard Collaborate's Web, video and audio conferencing technologies are used by thousands of higher education, K-12, professional, corporate and government organizations worldwide. To learn more about Blackboard Collaborate integrations, please visit http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Collaborate/Products/Integrations.aspx.

About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard Inc. is a global leader in enterprise technology and innovative solutions that improve the experience of millions of students and learners around the world every day. Blackboard's solutions allow thousands of higher education, K-12, professional, corporate, and government organizations to extend teaching and learning online, facilitate campus commerce and security, and communicate more effectively with their communities. Founded in 1997, Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Blackboard represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release. Actual results may differ materially as a result of various important factors. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.  

SOURCE Blackboard Inc.