{"id":2007,"date":"2015-07-31T14:32:46","date_gmt":"2015-07-31T20:32:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/onlineteaching\/?p=2007"},"modified":"2020-11-30T11:10:13","modified_gmt":"2020-11-30T17:10:13","slug":"bbworld-conference-recap-and-reuters-article","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/online.suny.edu\/onlineteaching\/2015\/07\/31\/bbworld-conference-recap-and-reuters-article\/","title":{"rendered":"BbWorld Conference Recap and Reuters Article"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As you may be aware, the annual BbWorld conference (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bbworld.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.bbworld.com<\/a>) took place last week.\u00a0 <!--more-->This event provides Blackboard clients across the globe the opportunity to learn about what\u2019s going on at Blackboard, to network with peers and Subject Matter Experts, to ask questions and find answers, and more.\u00a0 Three members of the Open SUNY team attended the BbWorld conference, and we had the opportunity to present two sessions, co-faciliate the annual SUNY and Blackboard meeting, and meet with a majority of the Blackboard Executive Leadership to discuss their future direction(s) in greater detail.<\/p>\n<p>The major takeaway from this conference is that Blackboard is still continuing to work on their New Learning Experience (NLE).\u00a0 The NLE is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>More than just a new interface to the Learning Management System (a.k.a., Ultra).<\/li>\n<li>A rethinking of the entire learning environment across multiple devices (i.e., phones, tablets, laptops \/ desktops, etc.) and multiple platforms (i.e., LMS, Collaborate, Bb Grader, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Unlike the previous two years where Blackboard discussed the new User Experience \/ Interface, the major difference is the NLE is now available for users to request a preview \/ trial.\u00a0 If you are interested in requesting access to the NLE, you can do so by signing up at <a href=\"http:\/\/try.blackboard.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">try.blackboard.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Prior to BbWorld, the new Collaborate product was released which is an example of how the solutions in the NLE will look and work.\u00a0 <em>A major change with the NLE is how the Blackboard solutions will be offered and hosted.\u00a0 At this time, the NLE solutions are only available as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering using public-cloud technologies.<\/em>\u00a0 In addition,<\/span> Blackboard will be moving towards user-centric mobile applications.\u00a0 Specifically, Bb Grader will be enhanced to become the Bb Instructor app and the release strategy is for tablets first.\u00a0 The Bb Student app release strategy is for mobile phones first.\u00a0 Blackboard Executive Leadership clearly stated they are committed to Blackboard Learn 9.1, and this solution will continue to be available.\u00a0 If you were unable to attend the BbWorld conference and would like to see some of the information that has been made available, you can visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bbworldlive.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.bbworldlive.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, July 28, 2015, Reuters released the &#8220;Exclusive: Education company Blackboard seeks $3 billion sale \u2013 sources\u201d article (<a href=\"http:\/\/reut.rs\/1exyWDd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/reut.rs\/1exyWDd<\/a>).\u00a0 As anticipated, this article has caused a stir in the SUNY and larger Blackboard client community.\u00a0 We are actively working towards gaining a deeper understanding of the impact on the Blackboard product and strategic directions and its potential impacts on SUNY.\u00a0 We have a meeting scheduled with Blackboard early next week where are seeking to learn more detail if available.\u00a0 We will also try to use this time to work on scheduling a meeting with Blackboard Executive Leadership, if additional information and insights are not yet available to us.<\/p>\n<p>In light of the major takeaways from BbWorld and the Reuters article, we are hoping to hear from your campus so we can continue to ensure the SUNY and Blackboard partnership meets your campus needs.\u00a0 Specifically, we are looking to understand your campus direction for continuing to use the Blackboard Learning Management System(s).\u00a0 Please consider the following questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Is your campus interested in staying on Blackboard Learn 9.1?\u00a0 If so, for how long?<\/li>\n<li>Is your campus interested in moving to the NLE?\u00a0 If so, is there a general time frame in mind?<\/li>\n<li>Is your campus considering evaluating other Learning Management System solution(s) and\/or provider(s)?<\/li>\n<li>Is there any specific information you would like to share?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To provide this information, or ask any questions, please reach out to Doug Cohen directly at <a href=\"mailto:doug.cohen@suny.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">doug.cohen@suny.edu<\/a> or via phone at 518.320.1655.<\/p>\n<p>Thank you!<br \/>\nDoug<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>Doug <span style=\"color: #003366;\">Cohen<\/span><\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>Associate Director, Academic Technology Services<\/strong><\/em><\/span><br \/>\nOpen SUNY \/ Academic Technologies and Information Services<br \/>\nThe State University of New York<br \/>\nState University Plaza &#8211; Albany, New York 12246<br \/>\nTel: 518.320.1655\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fax: 518.320.1554<br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #003366;\">Be a part of Generation SUNY:<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/generationsuny\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Facebook<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/generationsuny\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Twitter<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/generationsuny\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">YouTube<\/a><\/em><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #003366;\">Engage with Open SUNY:<\/span>\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/open.suny.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/open.suny.edu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As you may be aware, the annual BbWorld conference (www.bbworld.com) took place last 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