Blackboard is announcing a partnership with Ingram to integrate VitalSource Bookshelf into Blackboard Learn, giving users direct access to e-textbooks. Instructors can preview and select reading content within Blackboard Learn, and track their students’ e-books usage. Blackboard already has partnerships with four major publishers, now coupled with its partnership with the leading e-textbook provider, Blackboard is making digital content more accessible for teachers, students and institutions.
Blackboard is also changing the subscription model for its mobile learning app. Students and faculty can now access Blackboard Mobile Learn without requiring a subscription from their institution. While institutions may continue to license the app and subsidize access for its campus community, user subscriptions for Bb Mobile Learn will give students and faculty the choice to use the app even if their school hasn’t licensed it. This new model was driven by interest from schools and users. The app has already been downloaded more that 3 million times, and this new model provides access to thousands more.
