MiCTA Renews Blackboard Partnership

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 09/09/09

Michigan-based MiCTA, a national non-profit technology consortium, is endorsing the Blackboard learning management system for its members, following a competitive bid process conducted jointly with the Maryland Department of Education.

"We've seen growing interest from our members in content management systems that incorporate the latest communications and collaboration technologies," said Tim Von Hoff, chief operating officer of MiCTA. "Our membership appreciates the value and service they receive from Blackboard and we are looking forward to our renewed partnership with one of the world's foremost LMS providers"

As part of the endorsement process, the organization also negotiates volume discounts for its members.

"The Learning Management Systems Evaluation Committee worked hard to articulate the LMS needs of our membership," said Von Hoff. "Blackboard's proposal delivered an excellent combination of service and value for our membership and we are pleased to offer Blackboard our highest endorsement for its LMS products and services." It's the only LMS currently endorsed by MiCTA.

MiCTA has members from higher education, healthcare, libraries, K-12, government agencies, and other non-profit groups.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • AI toolbox containing a wrench, document icon, gears, and a network symbol

    Common Sense Media Releases Free AI Toolkit, AI Readiness & Implementation Guides

    Common Sense Media has developed an AI Toolkit for School Districts, available to educators free of charge, that provides guidelines and resources for implementing AI in education.

  • elementary school building with children outside, overlaid by a glowing data network and transparent graphs

    Toward a Holistic Approach to Data-Informed Decision-Making in Education

    With increasing access to data and powerful analytic tools, the temptation to reduce educational outcomes to mere numbers is strong. However, educational leadership demands a more holistic and thoughtful approach.

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • AI-powered individual working calmly on one side and a burnt-out person slumped over a laptop on the other

    AI's Productivity Gains Come at a Cost

    A recent academic study found that as companies adopt AI tools, they're not just streamlining workflows — they're piling on new demands. Researchers determined that "AI technostress" is driving burnout and disrupting personal lives, even as organizations hail productivity gains.