ADE is partnering with Blackboard, Inc., to offer learning management solutions for online instruction, collaboration, and professional development. The popular Blackboard Learn™ and Blackboard Collaborate™ systems offer intuitive applications designed to facilitate both classroom and online learning for students and educators alike.
Intuitive content creation tools allow teachers to build dynamic online courses for both live delivery and on-demand access.
A rich communication suite connects instructors to students—and students to students—through ‘live’ webinar-type classes, virtual office spaces, instant messaging, and even video conferencing.
Extensive management features include resource repositories, class scheduling, student transcripts, and performance tracking.
Blackboard Collaborate provides the tools necessary to facilitate live, content-rich online education:
VoIP audio or phone conferencing
Live video with "follow the speaker" and "multipoint" capabilities
Windows Media Video (WMV) multimedia playback
Record and save conferences
Dynamic whiteboard content (reusable!)
Blackboard Collaborate not only fully integrates with Blackboard Learn, but plays well with other systems, as well:
Blackboard Learn—Seamless integration with Blackboard Learn creates a rich learning experience.
Pearson Integration—Blackboard Collaborate powers Pearson LearningStudio's ClassLive and ClassLive Pro modules.
Moodle Integration—One-click access to Blackboard Collaborate and its functions from within Moodle.
Sakai Integration—Seamless integration between Blackboard Collaborate and Sakai 2.6..
Custom Integration—Comprehensive APIs make it possible to integrate Blackboard Collaborate into any custom interfaces or CMS.
Blackboard Collaborate lets you learn on the go. Access session, chat, use the whiteboard, and even download recordings on the mobile device of your choice.
See Blackboard in Action
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LMS Pilot Program for Arizona Districts and Charters
Districts and charters interested in offering K–12 learning through ADE's LMS Pilot Program need to meet the following requirements for participation:
Must have been in operation for at least 3 years
No outstanding audit findings within the last 3 years
Current state accountability level of 'A', 'B' or 'C'
No more than 1/2 of participating students can be enrolled in more than 3 online courses during pilot
Have an AzEDS-certified student information system (SIS)
Meet Blackboard's basic system requirements, including hardware and connectivity
NOTE: Allowable Use of Online Tools for ADM Calculations
ADE's Online and Distance Learning Fundability Guidelines provide details on the acceptable use of online learning tools in relation to eligibility for Average Daily Membership (ADM) funding requirements. Districts and charters interested in the LMS pilot program are encouraged to review these guidelines to ensure they understand how online learning may affect ADM calculations.
Arizona LMS Pricing Structure
ADE has procured a statewide contract for use of industry-leading, online learning tools from Blackboard. These include Blackboard Learn™ for delivering online courses and Blackboard Collaborate™ for conducting online meetings. This contract allows all Arizona districts and charters to take advantage of ADE’s special pricing to use these tools in educator professional learning. Qualified Arizona districts and charters may also use the tools for K-12 learning through the ADE Learning Management System (LMS) Pilot Program.
Service
License Cost
Professional Learning
Annual Cost
Professional Learning Facilitator License
$15 / facilitator
Professional Learning Participant License
$10 / educator
K-12 Learning
License Annual Cost
K-12 Learning Facilitator License
$15 / facilitator
K-12 Learning Participant License
$10 / student
Training
Cost
Mandatory Training for LMS Application# (2 consecutive business days)
$2,000
Optional Face-to-Face Training (minimum 2 consecutive business days)
$2,000 / day
Optional Online / Webinar Training
$1,500 / day
Additional Services
Cost
SIS Integration Services (with LEA's student information system)
Published prices are effective beginning May 2015 ^ Licenses are effective for one year from the date the IGSA is signed by ADE # For the initial installation, LEAs must purchase a mandatory startup training package Additional training is available as needed
Notes
Participating LEAs will receive ADE's Inter-Governmental Service Agreement (IGSA) to sign up for the specific types of services and quantities of licenses they need.
Each facilitator only requires one license. For example, if an LEA pays for a Professional Learning Facilitator License for User X, User X is also able to use the LMS as a Professional Learning Participant and a K-12 Learning Facilitator.
Licenses are not transferable. If a user leaves an LEA during the contract period, another user may not assume that license.
SIS Integration and Gradebook Extraction services are procurable through ADE but provided by Blackboard, Inc.
