BLACKBOARD LEARNING SYSTEM

BLACKBOARD LEARNING SYSTEM

FROM INFORMATION

TO EDUCATION The Blackboard Learning System has proven to be an excellent solution for Duke University. Our faculty, despite widely varying experience with computers, has picked up the development of course Web sites quickly and easily. Instructors have really been impressed by Blackboard s unparalleled ease-of-use and wide breadth of functionality. This has all made a world of difference for our students. MELISSA MILLS, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF ARTS AND SCIENCES FOR COMPUTING, DUKE UNIVERSITY

ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING AND LEARNING The focus of educational technology has shifted from improving the efficiency of administration to inspiring pedagogical innovation and improving the learning experience. As the daily lives of students, teachers, and staff become more Web-centric, savvy administrators are applying the lessons they ve learned in administrative computing to enhance the way their institutions deliver education today and well into the future. The Blackboard Learning System has been designed, since its inception, for institutions dedicated to teaching and learning. Blackboard technology and resources power the online, Web-enhanced, or hybrid education programs at more than 2,000 academic institutions. Whether the institution is a research university, community college, high school, or virtual MBA program, the Blackboard Learning System offers a proven solution to meet an institution s needs. PEDAGOGICAL INNOVATION POWERED BY BLACKBOARD The Blackboard Learning System features an award-winning environment for online teaching and learning and is designed to complement traditional instruction or power pure distance learning through the following utilities: Content management and content sharing Assessment management Gradebook and assignment management Collaboration and communication Student and instructor portfolio management ENTERPRISE ADMINISTRATION System administrators and decision-makers at organizations running the Blackboard Learning System must continually plan for an ever-increasing number of users, depth of usage, and overall load on their implementation. Through the following enterprise functions and capabilities, the Blackboard Learning System provides a flexible environment for system administration that greatly facilitates success planning and management: Data management for student information, identity management and authentication systems System management utilities Standards, policies, and management for online courses Branding, system configuration and design Communications and calendaring functions SPOTLIGHT ON NEWRELEASE 6 FEATURES IN ENTERPRISE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION SSL Choice through the use of Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology Flexibility in the deployment and configuration of SSL to ensure optimal system performance Virtual installations Available as a licensing option for the Blackboard Learning System, virtual installations allow institutions to provide uniquely-branded and managed environments for multiple independent user populations on the same system hardware and third-party licenses System reporting database and customizable reporting templates Ability to name course roles and redefine their privileges e.g. call a grader a mentor and restrict their access to enroll students in the class Set access policy for observers (parents, advisors, mentors, supervisors) and designate access parameters 4

BLACKBOARD BUILDING BLOCKS ARCHITECTURE At the heart of the Building Blocks SM Program is the Building Blocks Manager, which manages how Blackboard exchanges data and system services with third-party technologies. The Building Blocks Manager enables integration through either embedded technology or through customizable system extensions. The Building Blocks Manager allows Blackboard to integrate with the following technologies: Student Information Systems The Building Blocks Manager contains a suite of advanced data population, integration, and management tools designed to interact with leading student information systems; including Datatel Colleague, PeopleSoft SIS, SCT Banner, and SCT Plus, as well as homegrown systems. Authentication Protocols The Blackboard Learning System provides pre-configured Building Blocks system extensions for the following industry standard network protocols: Lightweight Directory Authentication Protocol (LDAP 3.0) Microsoft.NET Passport Microsoft IIS Delegation, including Microsoft Active Directory and NT Domain Apache Delegation, including Kerberos and Unix passwords SSL encryption technology Specialized Applications Through the Blackboard Building Blocks Program, institutions may customize their end-user environment by integrating tools, content, and extensions that are commercially licensed, open source, or homegrown. Among the dozens of freely and commercially available system extensions are: Bantu Instant Messenger Blackboard Link Checker ArcStream - Blackboard to Go Dictionary and Thesaurus Harvest Road Learning Content Management System The implementation of our GOCard student identification card program through the Blackboard Transaction System will provide numerous benefits to our students and our staff. By allowing students and parents to control funds through their secure "My Accounts" page, we have simplified their lives, and ours. It s a win, win situation. MARGIE BRYANT, VP AUXILIARY SERVICES, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY 6

MORE THAN 150 NEW FEATURES INCLUDING: Content Management User-controlled, text-based naming and navigation for course content areas Move and copy content items, folders, and learning units within course content areas and between distinct courses Assessment Management Completely re-architected assessment engine Dynamic, rules-based assessment authoring with fewer clicks and increased functionality Expanded feedback and delivery options Collaboration Completely re-architected environment for online collaboration Free-form chat, chat lectures, question and answer chats, archives, whiteboarding, class tours, and group Web browsing New Features In Gradebook Ability to create and define custom symbol sets and letter grade values Enhanced grade display options (raw points, percentages, letters, custom symbol sets) Ability to upload grades from spreadsheet applications and text files Text-based Navigation Virtual Classroom 5

SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE The Blackboard Learning System has been architected to deliver a responsive, highly scalable system that allows for minimal downtime and, when necessary, speedy and systematic recoveries. Designed to support a wide array of configurations, ranging from a single server to a farm of application and database servers, the Blackboard Learning System features a modular architecture that can meet a diverse set of deployment and configuration parameters. COMMITMENT TO STANDARDS Through its participation in IMS, SIF, and OKI, Blackboard is a strong advocate for industry standards in the area of system interoperability. In addition, Blackboard supports content specifications such as IMS, AICC, SCORM and Microsoft s LRN. It also interoperates with JASIG, Oracle and Microsoft portal technologies. As a result of these initiatives, the Blackboard Learning System is a flexible and reliable platform for the development of content in multiple formats including digital content available as downloadable publisher course cartridges. END-TO-END SERVICES AND SUPPORT: BLACKBOARD GLOBAL SERVICES Blackboard s professional services team includes instructional designers, educators, technical consultants, support technicians, and a group of network and system engineers committed to enabling client success throughout the multiple stages of an implementation. The evolution of the Blackboard Learning System (Release 6) is the result of a commitment to client success, and an appreciation for the limitless possibilities that exist in the emerging e-education landscape. Blackboard is proud and thankful to have partnered with more than 2,000 client institutions and dozens of technology partners in the development of Release 6. SEE BLACKBOARD IN ACTION To learn more about partnering with Blackboard to achieve e-education success, visit the Blackboard Web site at http://www.blackboard.com. To schedule a product demonstration or to speak with a Blackboard representative, call 1.800.424.9299 extension 4. Copyright 2002 by Blackboard Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks/tradenames are the property of their respective owners and are used by permission. 7

1899 L Street, NW 5th Floor Washington, DC 20036 USA 1.800.424.9299 ext. 4 or +1.202.463.4860 ext. 4 22601 N 19th Avenue, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85027 USA 1.800.528.0465 or +1.623.476.1400 Keizersgracht 62/64 1015 CS Amsterdam The Netherlands +31.20.5206884