Blackboard Debuts K-12 School Central
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Learning management system developer Blackboard has formally launched its new Blackboard K-12 School Central, a hosted learning platform for Web-based course delivery, enhanced classroom instruction, and teacher professional development. The solution was previously available on a limited basis but is now in full rollout.
Designed as an "entry-level" offering for school districts, Blackboard K-12 School Central provides a suite of tools for blended learning and distance learning, including features like social learning and collaboration, monitoring of student progress, functionality that supports the creation of individualized learning programs, and technologies that allow parents to get involved with students' work.
It also provides features tailored to teacher professional development, including centralized resources, coursework, and professional development communities.
"We are thrilled to use Blackboard School Central to power our district's online learning program," said Albert Magallanez, director of technology at Indian Oasis-Baboquivari Unified School District 40 in Arizona, in a statement released Thursday. "The platform will enable our teachers to integrate technology into their classrooms to support differentiated instruction, curriculum management, and assessment. In addition, our district will use the platform to provide cost-effective professional development and support new teacher induction. We look forward to working with Blackboard to help our students develop the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for lifelong learning."
School Central is in use in several other districts as well, including Duluth Public Schools in Minnesota, Long Beach School District in Mississippi, and Marion County Public Schools in Florida. Overall, Blackboard technologies are in use at more than 1,200 schools and districts around the world, according to the company.
Blackboard School Central is available now. Further information, including a video demonstration, can be found here.
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About the author:David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at [email protected].
Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at [email protected].