LAS VEGAS, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cengage Learning, a
leading global provider of innovative teaching, learning and
research solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with
Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) to create a deeper integration and
full interoperability of Cengage Learning's digital content and
solutions with the Blackboard Learn™ platform.
The new partnership plans to provide direct access to Cengage
Learning's digital content, core curriculum solutions and increased
functionality for institutions utilizing Blackboard's Web-based
teaching and learning platform. Users of Cengage Learning's rich
digital learning solutions and content will gain seamless access
through automatic sign-on and gradebook integration, creating a
simpler and more intuitive user experience for both instructors and
students using Blackboard Learn.
The effort plans to offer a better experience for users of
online homework provided via CourseMaster products such as Aplia
and SAM as well as CourseMate and course cartridges. The added
level of integration is made possible through Cengage Learning's
standards-based, interoperable, Web-services architecture
(MindLinks) and the Blackboard Building Blocks™ program and open
APIs of the Blackboard Learn platform. The agreement will also
include ongoing interoperability options for Cengage Learning's
MindTap program and future product development.
The announcement was made at BbWorld®, Blackboard's
annual user conference being held this week in Las Vegas.
"Through this partnership, we look forward to combining the best
of both worlds for Blackboard Learn and Cengage Learning
customers," said William Rieders,
Executive Vice President of New Media, Cengage Learning. "Cengage
Learning's current digital solutions will continue to operate
within our highly optimized content delivery environment while
being directly linked to the Blackboard Learn solution via our
turnkey MindLinks integration. The agreement also sets the stage
for the seamless integration of content through the MindTap
platform as it continues to roll-out."
"We are pleased to work even more closely with Cengage Learning
to seamlessly integrate their content and tools into the Blackboard
Learn platform," said Matthew Small,
Chief Business Officer at Blackboard. "This arrangement will
provide a much stronger experience for our clients and our users,
and it's part of a larger effort we're taking to make it easier for
them to get the most out of digital content and tools within the
learning platform."
Through the partnership, Cengage Learning becomes a
Blackboard Strategic Partner™ in the Blackboard
Partnerships Program™.
For more information about Blackboard Learn, please visit
http://www.blackboard.com/learn. For more information about
Cengage, please visit www.cengage.com.
About Cengage Learning
Cengage Learning is a leading provider of innovative teaching,
learning and research solutions for the academic, professional and
library markets worldwide. The company's products and services are
designed to foster academic excellence and professional
development, increase student engagement, improve learning outcomes
and deliver authoritative information to people whenever and
wherever they need it. Through the company's unique position within
both the library and academic markets, Cengage Learning is
providing integrated learning solutions that bridge from the
library to the classroom. Cengage Learning's brands include
Brooks/Cole, Course Technology, Delmar, Gale, Heinle, South-Western
and Wadsworth, among others.
Cengage Learning is headquartered in Stamford, CT. For more information on
Cengage Learning please visit www.cengage.com.
About Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) is a global leader in enterprise
technology and innovative solutions that improve the experience of
millions of students and learners around the world every day.
Blackboard's solutions allow thousands of higher education, K-12,
professional, corporate, and government organizations to extend
teaching and learning online, facilitate campus commerce and
security, and communicate more effectively with their communities.
Founded in 1997, Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe, Asia
and Australia.
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 Form 10-K
filed on February 18, 2011 and Form
10-Q filed on May 9, 2011 with the
SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in
this press release represent the Company's views as of July 13, 2011. 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
July 13, 2011.
SOURCE Blackboard Inc.; Cengage Learning