Blackboard Mobile Learn App Now Available for iPad

WASHINGTON, April 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) today announced the launch of its customized Blackboard Mobile Learn™ app for iPad on the App Store. The app recreates the course experience of Blackboard Learn™, the leading online teaching and learning platform, and lets students check grades and assignments, add discussion board comments and blog posts, email instructors and classmates and much more.

With a user experience and Multi-Touch interface that leverages the unique iPad, the app offers an immersive and engaging way for students to access their course work and interactive learning opportunities. 

"The iPad can fundamentally change the way students navigate their educational experience," said Michael L. Chasen, Blackboard's president and CEO. "We think there's a lot of potential for mobile learning to drive greater student engagement, and we want to be at the forefront of bringing those innovations to institutions and users."

Blackboard has made the application free on certain Wi-Fi devices, beginning with the iPad, in an effort to help institutions get started quickly in mobile and to encourage use of the iPad as a learning tool.

In June, institutions will be able to expand support for Blackboard Mobile Learn to a broad range of device platforms – including iPhone OS, Android and BlackBerry – through an annual license that will enable native applications for each that will be available for download by students and faculty at mobile application stores.

Alternatively, schools interested in experimenting with mobile learning on their campus for no additional charge will be able to enable Wi-Fi access to Blackboard Mobile Learn on devices such as the iPhone® and iPod touch® and, through a special partnership with Sprint (NYSE: S), on select smartphones powered by the Now Network™.

Given the secure information that can be accessed with the Blackboard Mobile Learn application, it must be enabled by institutions first before it is accessible to students with their information. Institutions can enable access by installing the free Blackboard Mobile Web Services Building Block™, which is available for download today at Blackboard's client support Web site, Behind the Blackboard™.

Blackboard Mobile Learn is available for U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada higher education and professional education clients on Blackboard Learn Releases 8, 9 and higher. Details on availability for K-12 and international markets, as well as for previous versions of Blackboard Learn and the WebCT and ANGEL platforms, will follow.

The Blackboard Mobile Learn app for iPad is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blackboard-mobile-learn/id364252826?mt=8.

For more information about Blackboard Mobile Learn, please visit http://blackboard.com/Mobile/Overview.aspx.  

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 17, 2010 with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of April 5, 2010. 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 April 5, 2010.

Apple and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.

SOURCE Blackboard Inc.