Blackboard Building Blocks an Open Framework for Innovation

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Blackboard Building Blocksan Open Framework for
Innovation

• Jan Poston Day
• Director, Standards Interoperability

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Inoperability
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Forward Looking Statements

• Any statements in this presentation about future
  expectations, plans and prospects for the
  Company, including statements about the Company,
  the Building Blocks Program 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
  product development, and other factors discussed
  in our Registration Statement filed on Form S-1
  with the SEC.  In addition, the forward-looking
  statements included in this press release
  represent the Companys views as of July 27,
  2005. The Company anticipates that subsequent
  events and developments will cause the Companys
  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 Companys views
  as of any date subsequent to July 27, 2004.
• Statements in this presentation may reflect
  Blackboards current plans regarding development,
  standards, interoperability or other matters. 
  Blackboard reserves the right, with no prior
  notice, to modify or terminate these plans at any
  time.  Statements in this presentation may
  reflect Blackboards current plans regarding
  development, standards, interoperability or other
  matters.  Blackboard reserves the right, with no
  prior notice, to modify or terminate these plans
  at any time. 

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Roadmap

• What is the Networked Learning Environment
• How does it relate to Building Blocks
• Learn more about Building Blocks
• the technology
• the program
• the community
• Extend Your Networked Learning Environment
• Questions and Answers

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The Networked Learning Environment
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How to create a Networked Learning Environment

• Innovate think outside the online course
• Integrate resources and remove boundaries
• Any time access
• Any place education
• Any resource within your reach
• Extend your knowledge and resource network
• Join a community
• Tap these resources for information and
  experience
• Invest in the groups knowledge
• Share your own experiences

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Join a Community http//communities.blackboard.
com
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Building Blocks Innovate. Integrate. Extend.

• Blackboard Building Blocks is Blackboards open
  architecture
• Designed to give developers access to
  Blackboards core in a documented and supportable
  way
• Leverages of a robust baseline application,
  standards-based framework of functionality and
  programming interfaces
• Enables the use of Open Source components to
  drive application development and customizations

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Building Blocks Innovate. Integrate. Extend.

• Building Blocks allow for integration between
  Blackboard and other tools, systems and services
• Enhance the online education experience
• Aid system administration and automate repetitive
  tasks
• Evaluate academic performance
• Customize Blackboard software to meet
  discipline-specific or pedagogical needs
• Integrate seamlessly with other systems
• Authentication (e.g., LDAP, Kerberos, Active
  Directory)
• Library Systems (e.g., e-reserves, DRM,
  subscription databases)
• Tracking and Survey systems

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What is an API?
Publicly Documented Interface
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What are some examples?
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Lets take a look at some Building Blocks

• Make sacrifice to demo gods
• Demo of MERLOT Search Building Block
• Demo of Discussion Grader Building Block

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Blackboard Building Blocks Catalog

• 150 Building Blocks
• 52 Free or Open Source
• See the Extend Blackboard tab on Blackboard.com
  
• PDF version of the catalog also available

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Tips and Tricks to get your System Admin to
install the Building Blocks that you want

• Dont forget these Building Blocks are Free!
• See Knowledge Base article 181-1712
• Title Encouraging your institution to use
  Building Blocks
• Dont forget to mention that these Building
  Blocks are FREE!

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Support For Building Blocks

• Blackboard Client Support
• Will help with installation and configuration
• Will help with troubleshooting any problem
• Will work with the Building Block vendor to
  resolve the issues

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Installing a Building Block

• Done by the System Administrator
• 4 (or maybe 5) easy steps
• Login as System Admin
• Navigate to Admin Tab gt Manage System Extensions
• Click Download to find the Building Blocks on the
  Building Blocks Catalog
• Click Install to upload it to Blackboard
• Adjust configuration settings if needed

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Top 10 Building Blocks by Downloads
2005
2004
Whos Online Portal Module Seneca College
1
3
2
8
Discussion Grader Joliet Junior College
3
--
Add Users By Role University of Durham
4
2
Blackboard Content Player
5
--
Document Un-packager Joliet Junior College
6
1
Advanced Group Management Florida State Univ.
7
--
Online Attendance Baylor University
8
4
Blackboard Link Checker
9
6
User Participation Portal Module Univ of South
Fl
10
5
My Journal Baylor University
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Building Blocks Innovate. Integrate. Extend.

• Demo Serverhttp//b2showcase.blackboard.cominstr
  uctor / instructorstudent / student
• Jan Poston Dayjday_at_blackboard.comAIM Jan
  Poston Day