Data Analytics

Blackboard Intros First Data Platform Release

• By Rhea Kelly
• 07/23/19

Blackboard has introduced the Blackboard Reporting Stack Developer Tier, the first release on the Blackboard Data platform, which gives colleges and universities direct access to data sets to analyze their learning ecosystem and support institutional goals. The new release was co-developed with more than 130 client developers at 75-plus institutions, the company noted in a news announcement.

"We have placed Blackboard Data right in the heart of our platform both architecturally and operationally," explained Rachel Scherer, senior director of analytics at Blackboard, in a statement. "This means that not only can we pull data together in one single place, but we can also push it back into the learning ecosystem to make it richer with reliable in-workflow insights. Altogether, the Blackboard Data approach lets us contextualize information and provide insights to the right stakeholders at the right time."

Data and tools in the Reporting Stack are available for free for eligible clients using the Software-as-a-Service deployment of Blackboard Learn. In addition, the Blackboard Data User Interface provides privacy guidance and a data dictionary. Over time, the company plans to roll out more data solutions and expand eligibility across more SaaS-based products.

To provide an introduction to Blackboard Data, Blackboard is also launching 21 Days of Blackboard Data, an online course designed to familiarize clients with the platform. Participants will access a demo data set to complete a series of daily challenges; each challenge is worth points, with prizes going to the participants with the most points.

For more information, visit the Blackboard site.