Blackboard Brings Improved Learning Analytics Capabilities to its Open Source Customers

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackboard today announced the acquisition of X-Ray Analytics, a research-based, predictive analytics technology that helps instructors and organizations meet the learning needs of their students. The technology will be first integrated into Moodlerooms and Enterprise Moodle, Blackboard's services and solutions to institutions and organizations that leverage Moodle, one of the most widely used learning management systems (LMSs) in the world.

Today's announcement marks the latest investment made by Blackboard in learning analytics solutions to provide institutions, faculty and learners with information and insights that can enhance learning outcomes, retention and success. It also reiterates the company's commitment to further develop its open source platforms in line with its renewed strategy of putting learner's needs and success at the center of everything it does.

X-Ray Analytics enables instructors to support learners more efficiently by providing visualizations of past behavior and performances at the course, cross-course and institutional levels. It also empowers instructors through the provision of statistically based predictions on likely future behaviors, academic outcomes and risk factors so they can engage with learners in a way that is targeted to their actual activity.  For example, instructors can step in when they see a potential area of risk and provide greater support.

Similar to Blackboard's open source platforms, X-Ray Analytics is delivered in the cloud and leverages existing data generated within the LMS, making the addition of analytics easy to implement.

"Learning analytics is a strategic approach that institutions across the world are increasingly adopting to make more informed decisions and take more effective actions to support learners," said Mark Strassman, senior vice president of industry and product management at Blackboard. "X-Ray Analytics technology will provide insights and recommendations directly within the learning environment that have statistical validity and levels of certainty that are not provided through standard reporting. We're thrilled to offer it to all of our open source customers and meet their needs to improve learner success and retention."

X-Ray Analytics technology will also be used to enhance analytics capabilities of other Blackboard applications and analytics solutions to empower students and teachers with knowledge and insights, support instructors and improve the overall learning experience.

About Blackboard Inc.

Blackboard is the world's leading education technology company. We challenge conventional thinking and advance new models of learning in order to reimagine education and make it more accessible, engaging and relevant to the modern day learner and the institutions that serve them. In partnership with our customers and partners in higher education and K-12 as well as corporations and government agencies around the world, our mission is to help every learner achieve their full potential by inspiring a passion for lifelong learning. For more information about Blackboard, follow us on Twitter @Blackboard.

Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Blackboard represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release. Actual results may differ materially as a result of various important factors. 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 statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

SOURCE Blackboard Inc.

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