District Chooses Blackboard as Learning Management System

Questions have arisen as to the district's choice of Blackboard as the learning management system.  Following is the rational behind the decision making process which resulted in the use of Blackboard.  The district researched numerous learning management systems looking for one that would provide a broad spectrum of capabilities. 

Following is a comparison of Blackboard versus Moodle.

Moodle is an LMS that does not require licensing fees but has a number of hidden costs associated with it such as hardaware to install and maintain servers, to training and support from third party vendors.  Blackborad costs are inclusive and offer the ability to streamline communications, eliminate local data storage, and provide a consistent online experience to our studnets, staff and parents. 

The open source nature of Moodle is good for teachers who are tech savvy and want to build online components in isolation.  Balckboard provides uniformity of a professionally designed and supported learning management system that is accessible to users regardless of technical ability. 

By purchasing Blackboard services through the Learn 21 consortium the district is able to offer a superior product that will grow with the district at a marginal and defined cost which includes technical support and professional development.  Additionally, with Blackboard the district is able to deploy the Blackboard Learn  mobile app which allows users to access their accounts from their mobile devices.  This is not possible with other learning management systems and takes the district closer to the ideal of becoming a mobile learning society.  Stacy Hawthorne, the district's integration technology coordinator stated, "The mobile app has been accessed every hour of the day since launching except for 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM.