Blackboard announces new MOOCs platform

Blackboard, a global leader in online teaching solutions, has announced the release of a flexible option for running Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The platform will be available soon to all Blackboard clients at no extra cost in a non-exclusive, non-binding manner.
With more institutions looking to offer large, open courses, the new option annouced by Blackboard aims to provide a fully functional, flexible platform option complete with social learning capabilities and a wide range of course management and student engagement features.
"Institutions need more flexible options for experimenting with MOOCs and running online courses that meet their individual needs," said Katie Blot, president of education services at Blackboard.
Dozens of institutions have already partnered with Blackboard to run MOOCs on a service called CourseSites. The new platform will be enhanced with features to let colleges make some connections between their on-campus courses and their free open courses.