Blackboard Collaborate Adds Learning Tools Interoperability Support

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.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • glowing brain, connected circuits, and abstract representations of a book and graduation cap on a light gray gradient background

    Snowflake Launches Program to Upskill 100,000 People in Data and AI

    Cloud data platform Snowflake is embarking on an effort to train and certify more than 100,000 users on its AI Data Cloud by 2027. The One Million Minds + One Platform program will provide Snowflake-delivered courses, training materials, and free access to Snowflake software, at no cost to learners.

  • two abstract humanoid figures made of interconnected lines and polygons, glowing slightly against a dark gradient background

    Microsoft Introduces Copilot Chat Agents for Education

    Microsoft recently announced Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, a new pay-as-you-go offering that adds AI agents to its existing free chat tool for Microsoft 365 education customers.

  • hand touching glowing connected dots

    Registration Now Open for Tech Tactics in Education: Thriving in the Age of AI

    Tech Tactics in Education has officially opened registration for its May 7 virtual conference on "Thriving in the Age of AI." The annual event, brought to you by the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal, offers hands-on learning and interactive discussions on the most critical technology issues and practices across K–12 and higher education.

  • Three cubes of noticeably increasing sizes are arranged in a straight row on a subtle abstract background

    A Sense of Scale

    Gardner Campbell explores the notion of scale in education and shares some of his own experience "playing with scale" — scaling up and/or scaling down — in an English course at VCU.