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Dian Schaffhauser writes, Blackboard has updated its Web conferencing application to add mobile support, user-oriented improvements, and tighter integration with learning management systems, including Moodle. Version 12 of Blackboard Collaborate is expected to be available later this summer in phases." The announcement came during the Blackboard Collaborate Connections Summit being held this week in New Orleans as part of BbWorld, the company's annual user conference.
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| Photo: T.H.E. Journal |
The new release will let students join live sessions from an iPad or iPhone through a link made available in an e-mail, via calendar invite, or on a learning management system. The Web conferencing session can include both desktop participants and mobile users. According to the company, when the user clicks a join link, the Collaborate mobile app automatically launches and the user is added to the session. Participation can include text chat and audio, the use of emoticons, sharing of content, yes/no and multiple choice polls, hand raising to get instructor attention, and participant list and status. Instructors can place students in breakout rooms for group work or discussion, and the user can set an "away" status.
Mobile support encompasses iOS devices, the iPad 2, iPad 3, and iPhone 4 and newer.
"Everything in our society is going mobile, and we believe that education needs to do the same," said Mark Gensimore, vice president of business and professional development at blendedschools.net. "Blackboard Collaborate Mobile is an essential piece of that puzzle for us." This organization provides online K-12 curriculum and professional development to school districts.
On the Moodle front, the new work is undergoing an evaluation process involving Moodle providers Moodlerooms, Netspot, and Remote-Learner to certify integration with various Moodle platforms. Blackboard acquired Moodlerooms earlier this year.
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Source: T.H.E. Journal
