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For those of you who weren’t able to get to New Orleans for the Connections Summit, I wanted to briefly share with you some of what we talked about earlier today in my keynote address, and that’s debunking the myths about online learning.

I’m sure that it’s a conversation that you’ve all had with colleagues who fear that online learning is not sufficiently engaging for students. The fear that online learners will be isolated, miss out on non-verbal communication with their instructors and their fellow students, and not have access to the help they need. That their motivation will be low, which translates into poor outcomes. And then there is the fear that the technology that makes online learning more engaging isn’t quite there yet.

Working backwards, I can assure you that the technology is there.  As you’ll see in Blackboard Collaborate 12, pretty much everything we do is aimed at making the online learning experience as fully engaging as that of the physical classroom, especially when coupled with your institution’s LMS.

And given how wired in today’s students are, we’re getting to the point where it can be argued that bringing real-time collaboration technology into both the physical and virtual classroom mix is becoming the only way to guarantee full engagement.  (I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s seen a couple of kids sitting in the same room texting each other.)

I’m going to make a bold statement here: if you’re using an LMS, you should be using Blackboard Collaborate. Asynchronous courses can be personalized with instructor comments via voice authoring. Students can get the help they need from their classmates and instructors with instant messaging.

Whether a course is delivered asynchronously, live online, or in a physical classroom, project collaboration using web conferencing is an excellent way to engage students and help them build their networks. And for today’s students, who are seldom if ever without their iPhones and iPads, being able to participate in class and meetings with a mobile device is rapidly becoming an expectation.

I’ll end by saying that we’re looking forward to showing off Blackboard Collaborate 12 , and debunking all those myths about online learning.

In my blog last week I introduced you to a few of the Blackboard Learn experts who will be onsite in New Orleans next week ready to talk to you about new features, workflows, integrations, and extensions to Learn. To ensure you get the most out of your time at BbWorld here is round two of “Meet the Blackboard Learn Experts”.  These individuals will be presenting sessions but also spending a lot of time in either the Blackboard booth (in the exhibit hall) or at the Digital Content & Upgrade Center which will be located on the Main Foyer Level 2 of the convention center.  Seek them out, ask questions and share your best practices with them.

These Bbers will be sharing their favorite features and workflows at the Blackboard Learn booth – here is the schedule, so stop by!

Blackboard is constantly experimenting with different educational technologies and methods in an effort to support education everywhere.  For the past several years we have operated a small island in Second Life.  This place called ANGEL Island has been used by over 100 teachers to deliver instruction and showcase the possibilities of teaching with virtual worlds.  

It’s conference season, folks! And a lot of you are tasked by your colleagues to make the most of your time spent on the Exhibit Hall floor by engaging in conversations that can impact your jobs, learn what other educators are doing, and create relationships with vendors. If you want to up the ante this year and connect with even more people at conferences like BbWorld, we have some tips for you!

1.)   Download the BbWorld mobile app to stay up-to-date on breaking news, must see sessions, conference photos, and more. This year’s app connects you to your favorite social media channels and even has a scavenger hunt!

Download Android App

Download iPhone App

We’re excited to share that Blackboard Managed Hosting was given top honors as the “Support Team of the Year” at the 10^th Annual American Business Awards. The Awards took place June 19, at the Marriott Marquis Time Square in New York City where Blackboard was presented with the Gold Stevie® Award.  Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning “crowned”, the American Business Awards are the nation’s premier business awards for organizations operating in the US. Blackboard was selected from more than 3,000 nominees from organizations of all sizes. To be selected as a winner, companies were judged by more than 270 executives nationwide. Jason Minkoff, Senior Director of Managed Hosting and Support was on-hand to accept the award.  “It was a fabulous time and I was thrilled to represent Blackboard and have our work acknowledged among the best in the country.”

Blackboard’s 2011 and 2012 customer satisfaction surveys reported unprecedented results from Blackboard Managed Hosting clients in overall satisfaction, willingness to recommend, and perceived value from our solutions.  “These scores are a testament to the 250 dedicated experts across four continents that support over 1,000 managed hosting clients,” said Minkoff.  “Because our team is skilled both in Blackboard applications and infrastructure design and management, we’re able to provide superior customer support and technical service to our clients.”