Tulane Chooses Blackboard Learn Over Competing LMS Options

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After conducting a thorough review of four learning management systems (LMS), Tulane University chose Blackboard Learn^™ as its platform for online learning. Officials at Tulane noted Blackboard's strategic direction and ability to dedicate significant resources to innovation and product development as key reasons for the decision.

The evaluation included pilots of four major LMS vendors in which students and faculty participated and provided feedback. While they found the features and functionality of the solutions to be comparable, officials at the university believe Blackboard Learn is the best fit based on the company's strong track-record of innovation and approach to product development.

"We have seen Blackboard pivot beautifully in the last few years – with a refocus on core foundations and what can make a difference for students and faculty. Institutions can tell Blackboard where they want to go and Blackboard can help take them there," said James Bradley, Assistant Vice President for Information Technology and Academic Computing. "We took a deep dive into other solutions and found Blackboard had the experience in the market, established track-record and ability to provide long-term value and service."

Officials at Tulane – a top private research university in New Orleans – believe the LMS is the most critical application on campus and focused on choosing the right vendor to support them into the future. The university relies heavily on the LMS to maintain business as usual and ensure teaching and learning continues – even during weather events, like hurricanes or other disasters. Leveraging Blackboard's platform and hosting services, Tulane was able to offer 11 courses during their "mini-fall semester" in 2005, following Hurricane Katrina.

"There's value going with the number one player in the market – Blackboard has the resources to back continued development and innovation in their products over the long-term," said Bradley. "We have a lot of faith and confidence in Blackboard as a partner and have no doubt they will continue to release great products by listening to customers, understanding their needs and incorporating them into future products."

More than 2,000 institutions have adopted the latest version of the Blackboard Learn platform to take advantage of its improved stability and digital content integrations, social learning tools to drive student engagement and greater workflow efficiencies for instructors and administrators.

For more information about Blackboard Learn, please visit http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Learn/Overview.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.