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Blackboard Collaborate Adds Learning Tools Interoperability Support

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 02/28/13

Blackboard Collaborate has added support for Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) specifications. The move makes the online collaboration platform available from any LTI-compliant learning management system (LMS).

The LTI standard was created by the IMS Global Learning Consortium "to establish a standard way of integrating rich learning applications (often remotely hosted and provided through third-party services) with platforms like learning management systems, portals, or other educational environments," according to information on the organization's site.

With the update to Blackboard Collaborate, instructors will be able to access the platform through third-party LMSs to include features such as Web conferencing, scheduling and delivery of online classes, the ability to upload multimedia and presentation materials, and recorded lectures for review.

To reduce maintenance, support, and professional development costs, the extension will be hosted by Blackboard, and will maintain the look and feel of the LMS already in use by the institution.

In a similar move, Blackboard Collaborate has also recently introduced integration with the open-source Moodle LMS.

"These updates are part of our commitment to support schools in making the technology decisions that are right for them," said Maurice Heiblum, president and general manager of blackboard collaborate, in a prepared statement. "Blackboard will continue to champion accessibility and open standards by helping institutions broaden the functionality of their learning management infrastructure--regardless of their LMS strategy."

Founded in 1955, the mission of the nonprofit IMS Global Learning Consortium is "to advance technology that can affordably scale and improve educational participation and attainment," according to information released by the organization, and has "has approved and published some 20 standards that are the most widely used learning technology standards in the world."

More information about IMS Global is available at imsglobal.org. Go to blackboard.com for more information about Blackboard Collaborate.