Facebook + Blackboard = Blackboard Sync

At BbWorld '07 in Boston, Blackboard CEO Michael Chasen announced we were going to help our clients connect with their students on their level and in a way that gets them the information they want, when and how they want it.

Today we took a big step toward that goal with the launch of Blackboard Sync, which combines Facebook with our Blackboard software.

Now, when a student is logged onto Facebook, they can use Blackboard Sync to receive a notification that there's an update or other information has been posted on Blackboard about their courses.  Receiving course information and updates through Facebook will help students be more in touch with their academic studies on a day-to-day basis.  The idea behind Blackboard Sync is to make academic information available to students wherever they are—and we know a lot of them are on Facebook.

Blackboard Sync can also help students connect with their classmates through Facebook, and in doing so create new social learning opportunities.  For anyone who remembers sitting in an enormous lecture hall in college with hundreds of other students in a 101-level course, this tool would have been a great way to get to know classmates better.

And there are a lot of students who use Facebook to socialize, and catch up on sports and everything else—so why should catching up on classes be any different?

Students can find Blackboard Sync in the Facebook application directory, and students who install it can invite their Facebook Friends and classmates to do the same.

We're excited about this launch, which is part of Blackboard's ongoing effort to develop services to better engage students and support the Blackboard community.  Check out the Blackboard Sync wiki for more information.  You can also read the official press release.

Give Blackboard Sync a try and let us know what you think—email us at bbsync-feedback@blackboard.com.