University of Toronto Selects Blackboard for e-Learning
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb 14, 2006 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB), a leading provider of technology to
educational institutions and corporate and government agencies,
announces the University of Toronto, a leading teaching and research
university in Canada, has licensed the Blackboard Academic Suite(TM),
a suite of three integrated software products which support a
Networked Learning Environment(TM). A Networked Learning Environment
enables students and teachers to learn, connect and share educational
materials and resources from practically any location and at any
time.
The Blackboard Academic Suite fosters Web-based and Web-enhanced
learning and is used by hundreds of universities, colleges and K-12
schools in North America and abroad.
The University of Toronto buying decision included extensive
consultation with faculty, students, staff, and other universities.
The university also licenses the Blackboard Commerce Suite(TM) for
its campus services. The Blackboard Commerce Suite features three
enterprise software applications supporting cashless transactions
on-campus, off-campus and online and allowing for identification and
security access.
"The Blackboard system was chosen for its broad functionality, large
user base amongst major institutions, an accessible community of
expert users and developers in the Toronto area and its intuitive
user-interface; a high priority for our faculty as expressed in
university-wide surveys," said Professor David Farrar, Deputy Provost
and Vice-Provost of Students at University of Toronto.
The university plans to utilize the system immediately to enhance the
student experience by providing improved integration of digital
resources, better communication and collaboration utilities and a
consistent, web-based interface across courses. Instructors will
benefit from possibilities for new methods of instruction and more
effective and efficient class administration.
"We commend the University of Toronto for the comprehensive
fact-finding process they embarked upon to make sure they selected the
right partner for their e-Learning initiatives," said Michael Chasen,
CEO and President of Blackboard. "We could not be more excited about
working together with the university to enable educational
innovations for their faculty, students and entire campus community."
About Blackboard
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 and Asia.
Blackboard
Educate. Innovate. Everywhere.
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
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2005 with the SEC.
In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press
release represent the Company's views as of February 14, 2006. 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
February 14, 2006.
Blackboard Public Relations Manager:
Melissa Chotiner
Blackboard Inc.
202-463-4860 ext. 2404
Media Contact:
Dan Baum
DBC Public Relations Experts
202-298-7600 ext. 205
SOURCE: Blackboard Inc.