BBBB Blackboard (MM)

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to support greater interoperability and technology choice for clients, Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) today announced new integrations that enable Blackboard Collaborate™ solutions – including Elluminate and Wimba Web, video and audio conferencing technologies – to be used seamlessly with a wide range of commercial and open source course management systems.    

The new integrations join a number of existing versions built on open architecture and open APIs that support the use of Elluminate and Wimba solutions with Blackboard's own leading teaching and learning platform, Blackboard Learn™, as well as ANGEL®, WebCT®, Sakai, Moodle, Desire2Learn™, Pearson LearningStudio™ and Fronter™.

One of the new integrations supports Wimba Classroom™ and Wimba Voice™ for Desire2Learn, and is the first for Wimba that meets the IMS Global Learning Consortium's standard for Basic Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI). Separately, the new Wimba Pronto™ Universal Integration supports use with flat-file course management systems including ANGEL® Learning, Sakai and Desire2Learn, and homegrown information solutions, synchronizing the collaboration suite with user, course and enrollment information and significantly expanding the solution's reach.  

The new Wimba integrations are joined by a new version of the Elluminate Bridge for Moodle, which was enhanced and recently re-released to meet the specific needs of its users.

"Our goal is to support teaching and learning wherever it happens, regardless of what learning management system is being used," said Maurice Heiblum, President of Blackboard Collaborate. "To that end, we continue to invest in open, standards-based integrations that increase availability and choice for institutions and ensure that our existing customers and prospects are well positioned for the future."

"We support Blackboard's continued vision of openness and are pleased they are providing us integration with their solutions no matter what system we choose," Dr. David J. Ayersman, Chief Information Officer at New River Community and Technical College. "With Pronto, everyone at New River can more easily communicate since course-based groups and administrative groups are pre-populated with the right students and staff tied directly to our Banner system."

As part of Blackboard Collaborate, Elluminate and Wimba solutions continue to be developed with an emphasis on accessibility for all users and on open standards for greater interoperability that increase the flexibility institutions have in selecting technologies to support their learning environments.

"Blackboard gets it: they get that students learn from practice,  they get that most learning experiences begin with informal learning moments, and most importantly, they understand that to build a tool, you first consult with the tool wielders," said Christian Pruett, Assistant Executive Director for eLearning and Instructional Technology at Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges. "They build an online version of what we already know and love: informal meeting spaces, classrooms, and corridors where we can learn from one another – and let us connect it to the course management system of our choice." 

For more information about Blackboard Collaborate, please visit http://blackboard.com/sites/collaborate/index.htm. For more information about the Elluminate and Wimba solutions, please visit: http://www.elluminate.com and http://www.wimba.com.

About Blackboard Inc.

Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) 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 and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2010 with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of October 11, 2010. 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 forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to October 11, 2010.

SOURCE Blackboard Inc.