Blackboard Executives Selected to Serve on IMS Global Learning Consortium Boards
WASHINGTON, DC, Aug 06, 2007 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB), a leading provider of enterprise
technology to the education industry, announced today that IMS Global
Learning Consortium (IMS GLC), has appointed Blackboard's President &
CEO Michael Chasen, to the organization's Executive Strategic Council
and elected Blackboard's President of North America Higher Education
and Operations Peter Segall, to its Board of Directors. IMS GLC is a
worldwide non-profit organization dedicated to developing and
promoting the adoption of open technical specifications for
interoperable learning technology.
In their roles with IMS GLC, Chasen and Segall will bring extensive
knowledge, experience and expertise on global learning challenges and
best practices in the use of technology in education.
"At IMS Global Learning Consortium our goal is to continue to raise
the bar on the expectations for the learning impact possible through
use of technology," said Rob Abel, Chief Executive of IMS GLC. "As we
stress the relevance of educational innovation and strategic thought
in shaping the global industry, IMS GLC is pleased to have Michael
and Peter join us in supporting the mission of developing standards
to enhance education innovation around the world."
Blackboard has a long, productive history of working with the IMS
GLC. This year marks a decade since Blackboard began its relationship
with the organization, demonstrating Blackboard's commitment to
developing standards for the use of technology in education.
Blackboard is an active participant on the IMS Common Cartridge
specification working group, an important initiative to develop a
specification enabling portability of course content across Course
Management Systems and other delivery platforms. In addition,
Blackboard is actively participating in the IMS Learning Tools
Interoperability and IMS Enterprise Services working groups. The
goals of these specifications center on data interoperability amongst
learning tools, course management systems and student information
systems.
"It's a privilege to be appointed to IMS's Executive Strategic
Council," said Chasen. "IMS, as an organization, has been instrumental
in establishing interoperability for learning systems and content both
nationally and worldwide. The Council provides an excellent
opportunity to guide IMS priorities and identify the challenges
facing the education industry."
"The IMS Board of Directors, whose members are elected by IMS
Contributing Members, aims to advance technology in education, and
serves as a powerful voice in education leadership," said Segall.
"I'm looking forward to examining trends and strategies in emerging
technologies and encourage implementation of services that accelerate
improved learning."
About IMS Global Learning Consortium (IMS GLC)
IMS GLC is a global, nonprofit, member consortium that provides
leadership in shaping and growing the learning and educational
technology industries through collaborative support of standards,
innovation, best practice and recognition of superior learning
impact. IMS GLC provides open interoperability specifications,
reference models, and adoption practices for learning and educational
content and systems. IMS GLC sponsors the annual Learning Impact
conference, showcase and awards program. For more information visit
www.imsglobal.org.
About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB) is a leading provider of enterprise
software applications and related services to the education industry.
Founded in 1997, Blackboard enables educational innovations
everywhere by connecting people and technology. With two product
suites, the Blackboard Academic Suite(TM) and the Blackboard Commerce
Suite(TM), Blackboard is used by millions of people at academic
institutions around the globe, including colleges, universities, K-12
schools and other education providers, as well as textbook publishers
and student-focused merchants that serve education providers and
their students. Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with
offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Blackboard
Educate. Innovate. Everywhere.(TM)
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans
and prospects for Blackboard and other statements containing the words
"believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar
expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning
of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual
results may differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors,
including the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our
Form 10-Q filed on May 4, 2007 with the SEC. In addition, the
forward-looking statements included in this press release represent
the Company's views as of August 6, 2007. The Company anticipates
that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's
views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these
forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company
specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking
statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's
views as of any date subsequent to August 6, 2007.
Senior Manager Public Relations at Blackboard:
Melissa Chotiner
Blackboard Inc.
202-463-4860 ext. 2404
Email Contact
Media Contact:
Amy Storey
Fleishman-Hillard Inc.
202-828-8819
Email Contact
SOURCE: Blackboard Inc.