Online Learning Platform integrates support for LIS and SCORM.July 19, 2011 -
Service Pack 6 for Blackboard Learn(TM) v9.1 supports 2 key open education standards that facilitate integration with other enterprise data systems and promote flexibility in use of educational content and resources. IMS Learning Information Services (LIS) 2.0 support helps institutions manage data exchange between online learning platform and student information system (SIS), while Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) allows for improved grading and visibility.
Original Press release
Blackboard Inc.
1899 L Street NW, 11TH Floor
Washington, DC, 20036
USA
Blackboard Extends Leadership in Open Standards with Support for LIS, Enhanced SCORM
Blackboard Learn 9.1 Enables Stronger Integrations, Flexibility of Content
WASHINGTON -- Blackboard Inc. (Nadsaq: BBBB) today announced extended support for two key open education standards that make it easier for institutions to integrate the Blackboard Learn(TM) platform with other enterprise data systems and enable greater flexibility in the use of educational content and resources.
The latest version of the leading online learning platform - Service Pack 6 for Blackboard Learn 9.1 - adds full support for IMS Learning Information Services (LIS) 2.0 to enable institutions to more easily manage data between the Blackboard Learn platform and their student information systems. The release also extends support for Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), which makes it possible for instructors to use SCORM-compliant content in Blackboard Learn courses without having to recreate or reformat it.
The announcement reinforces Blackboard's ongoing leadership in open standards and extends the company's work to establish a more open, interoperable platform. Blackboard also recently became the first learning management vendor to fully support the newest version of another open standard, IMS Common Cartridge 1.1, for import and export.
"Blackboard has followed through on some of the most aggressive plans for supporting open standards we've seen in this space, and their leadership is critical to broadening the impact these standards can have in education," said Dr. Rob Abel, Chief Executive of IMS Global. "Their leadership and extensive collaboration with IMS Global to define and evolve the LIS standard is incredibly valuable and appreciated."
As part of its work to advance open standards, Blackboard has also worked with Oracle and SunGard Higher Education to define how to best use and support the LIS standards, identify and evaluate use cases, and test the SIS data integration framework. As a result, Blackboard is now in a position to deliver more robust LIS-based integration capabilities for Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise Campus Solutions and SunGard Higher Education's Banner Digital Campus.
"This is part of a sustained effort to realize the benefits of open standards within our community," said Ray Henderson, President of Blackboard Learn. "Educators are placing more value on these investments in standards as they evaluate the total costs of ownership for their options, which includes both the cost of entry and exit from a system."
LIS support enables institutions to better manage the exchange of information about people, memberships and courses between the Blackboard Learn platform and the student information system (SIS), by standardizing the data into one format. With the new SIS data integration framework, system administrators can install, support and manage the systems integration through an easy-to-use interface in Blackboard Learn that allows information to be shared between systems, simplifying deployment of new systems and improving system performance.
The fully supported SCORM Engine Blackboard Building Block(TM) was developed by Rustici Software, makers of the most highly rated SCORM player, in partnership with Blackboard. Integrating the player into Blackboard Learn offers a better user experience and allows for improved grading and visibility into learner activity and progress.
More than 1,400 institutions have adopted Blackboard Learn 9.1 since it launched last year and the latest version is available today via Service Pack 6. Current Blackboard learning management clients can upgrade to the new release at no extra charge.
For more information about Blackboard Learn, please visit http://www.blackboard.com/Teaching-Le....
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.
CONTACT: Matthew Maurer, Blackboard Inc., +1-202-463-4860 ext. 2637, matthew.maurer@blackboard.com
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