During BbWorld^{® ’}07, the global Blackboard users conference held in Boston this past summer, Blackboard announced the recipients of its prestigious Blackboard Greenhouse Exemplary Course Program™ awards. Nick White and Adonica Aune of Capella University, a user of Blackboard Professional Education solutions, were among the winners.

The Blackboard Greenhouse program is designed to foster educational innovations across the global e-Learning community of Blackboard users. Specifically, the awards recognize faculty and trainers who develop technologically rich and pedagogically sound courses.

Mr. White and Ms. Aune’s original and innovative course, titled “Public Speaking,” was chosen from a highly competitive group of over 90 submissions. All submissions were reviewed by a panel comprised of more than 100 client judges located around the world, over the course of more than 1,000 hours, using a teaching and learning rubric designed by experts and previous award winners. Winning entries represent the very best of e-Learning, and provide stellar examples of course design, student interaction, assessment and learner support.

The review committee judged “Public Speaking” exemplary for being extremely well organized and fostering effective student learning by providing participants with a high level of interaction. The course exemplifies best practices in the development and delivery of an online learning environment, and may be viewed as a model for others in teaching, training and learning.

“The Blackboard Greenhouse program is an important way in which Blackboard encourages and recognizes educational innovation,” says Tim Hill, president of Blackboard ProEd. “With millions of people teaching, training and learning every day on Blackboard^® technology, we must help facilitate ways for our global community of users to connect, collaborate and innovate. We applaud all of the client judges, directors and submitters who participated in the program this year. And we especially congratulate Mr. White and Ms. Aune, and Capella University, for their excellent work.”

Blackboard Greenhouse initiatives are developed and supported by BbConnections, an online hub for members of the Blackboard community to collaborate and share best practices, to deepen their knowledge and expertise in e-Learning. More information on Blackboard Greenhouse initiatives is available at: www.blackboard.com/greenhouse.