Blackboard and Pearson Announce International Content Integration Partnership

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackboard Inc. and Pearson have expanded the availability of an integration for Pearson's leading learning solution – MyLab & Mastering – with Blackboard Learn^™, the market-leading learning management system (LMS). Previously available in North America, the integration is now available in most markets worldwide, the companies announced today.

The systems integration includes single sign-on, improved workflows and state-of-the-art Web services that enable instructors to find and access MyLab & Mastering within their Blackboard learning system. Faculty can synchronize gradebooks, transfer information and create corresponding links in both systems. Instructors are also able to customize their courses by choosing content and rearranging items in the content area and course navigation bar.

The expansion follows growing international interest in having quick access to Pearson's content and homework assignments, tutorials, gradebook and tools, learning solutions, and analytics directly in Blackboard's learning platforms. The integration, which was made available in  North America earlier this year, is already being used by hundreds of institutions.

"The integration of MyLab & Mastering and Blackboard Learn has created not only a more enriched teaching and learning experience, but it also makes my job much more convenient," said Dr. Salim M. Salim, head of the Mathematics Department, Qatar University. "The single sign on, gradebook synchronization, personalized study paths and real-time evaluations allow me and my students to easily benefit from the powerful tools both systems offer."

"We are excited to bring fast, easy access to Pearson's digital content and leading digital solutions into Blackboard's learning platforms all over the world," said Matthew Small, chief business officer at Blackboard. "This expanded partnership reduces the barriers felt internationally to these resources with a streamlined, powerful approach."

"We are delighted to both continue our partnership with Blackboard and to expand it on a global scale. This ultimately allows us to bring our products and our digital content to even more teachers and students worldwide," commented Michelle Neil, Chief Learning Technologies Officer, International Higher Education at Pearson. 

This joint announcement, made at Online Educa Berlin this week, marks a new level of convenience and simplicity for users. The collaboration is part of the companies' ongoing efforts to make it easier for teachers and students to find, use and share digital content and tools.

Blackboard Learn, used by millions of students worldwide, allows institutions to take advantage of improved stability, greater workflow efficiencies for instructors and administrators and social learning tools. Through open APIs and standards-based interoperability, the Blackboard Learn platform supports a wide range of integrations for content and tools. 

Pearson's MyLab & Mastering has changed the way millions of students learn and has supported successful redesign of college courses to effectively use technology to improve achievement and manage costs. Students receive a personalized learning experience, with online tutorials, homework, quizzes and tests that are automatically graded for instant feedback—freeing instructors to spend less time grading and more time working with their students. Demand for the MyLab & Mastering programs continues to soar across the globe at thousands of higher education institutions. MyLab & Mastering programs are available for over 80 different discipline offerings representing thousands of distinct titles used by over 10.4 million students.

For more information about Blackboard Learn, please visit http://www.blackboard.com/learn. For more information about Pearson, please visit www.pearsonhighered.com.

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.

About Pearson

Pearson, the world's leading learning company, has global reach and market-leading businesses in education, business information and consumer publishing (NYSE: PSO).  The company provides innovative print and digital education materials, including personalized learning programs such as MyLab and Mastering; educational services including custom publishing; and content-independent platforms including EQUELLA digital repository and Pearson LearningStudio for online learning programs.

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.; Pearson