Blackboard Learn
Virtual learning environment and learning management system
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blackboard (previously Blackboard Learn, Blackboard Learn Ultra and the Blackboard Learning Management System) is a web-based virtual learning environment and learning management system developed by Blackboard. The software features course management, customizable open architecture, and scalable design that allows integration with student information systems and authentication protocols. It may be installed on local servers, hosted by Blackboard ASP Solutions, or provided as Software as a Service hosted on Amazon Web Services. Its main purposes are stated to include the addition of online elements to courses traditionally delivered face-to-face and development of completely online courses with few or no face-to-face meetings.[citation needed]
| Blackboard | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Blackboard |
| Initial release | January 21, 1997 (as Blackboard Learning Management System) |
| Stable release | |
| Website | www |
History
On January 21, 1993, Stephen Gilfus and Daniel Cane started a company called CourseInfo LLC and were developing a software product that would power online education and be scalable for wider institutional application.[1] At the same time, Matthew Pittinsky and Michael Chasen formed Blackboard LLC and were contracted to help lead the formation of the Educause IMS standards group for online education technology. The two groups merged to form Blackboard Inc., which then developed the Blackboard Learning System.[2]
In October 2005, Blackboard Inc. and WebCT, the two leading providers back in the day of course management software for e-learning services to the education market, announced plans to merge their companies, which ultimately led to a combined LMS.
In May 2009 Blackboard purchased the privately held competing learning management systems company ANGEL Learning.
In 2015, the company announced a user experience update, called Ultra.
In October 2017, Blackboard partnered with OpenEd to integrate OER with Learning Management Systems.[3]
As of October 2021, Blackboard had merged with Anthology.[4]
On September 30, 2025, it was reported that Anthology would be acquired by private equity firms Nexus Group and Oaktree Capital Management under a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, in which the company filed for bankruptcy that same day.[5]
On March 2, 2026, it was announced the company completed the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process and has rebranded as Blackboard. Blackboard will now operate on a stand-alone basis, consisting of the company's Blackboard LMS, Ally, Illuminate, Evaluate, and Institutional Effectiveness solutions.
Blackboard announced it has secured $70 million in new financing, "strengthening its capital position and enabling continued investment in strategic growth initiatives" The company said it "will operate with a renewed focus and commitment to supporting institutions through institutional teaching and learning solutions." Key priorities include ongoing investment in the Blackboard learning management system, responsible and practical applications of artificial intelligence, and a continued focus on usability and accessibility. [6]
With zero debt on its balance sheet and $70 million in new capital investment from sponsors Nexus and Oaktree, Blackboard is now one of the only major LMS providers to operate with such financial clarity. [7]
Awards and Recognition
Blackboard ranked as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: North America Cloud-Enabled and SaaS Learning Management Systems in Higher Education 2025. Document #US52986125
Blackboard named a Commander in the “Tambellini StarChart™: 2025 Teaching and Learning Series — Learning Management Systems”
Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Best of 2025 Winner - Blackboard
Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Best of 2025 Winner - Ally Ally awarded Platinum. Campus Technology’s Product of the Year 2025: Accessibility & Captioning Tools
Blackboard awarded Platinum. Campus Technology’s Product of the Year 2025: Learning Management Systems & E-Learning Platforms
Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence "Back to School 2025" - Blackboard AI Conversation
2025 Gold American Business Awards STEVIE Winners - Ally
Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence "Best of 2024" - Blackboard
Past Criticism
Blackboard Inc. has had several legal issues, including faulty patent rights claims.[8] In addition, a number of educational institutions,[9][10][11] teachers,[12] and students[13] have expressed concerns about the reliability of Blackboard. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's implementation of the system notably suffered sporadic outages in the Grade Book section during the finals of the Fall 2014 semester.
In spring 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, Fairfax County Public Schools, one of the largest school systems in the United States with 189,000 students,[14] abandoned Blackboard Learn 24/7 after weeks of unsuccessful attempts to use it. The issues included poor security allowing live sessions to be hacked and disrupted,[14][15] and inability for the system to cope with the volume of students and teachers[16] even on the days when only elementary schools were using the system.
Anthology sold the K12 community engagement division to Finalsite in 2022.
One of Blackboard's biggest contracts, City University of New York, comprising 25 schools and over 275,000 students, announced that the university is ending its contract. Students there have criticized Blackboard for its cluttered appearance, glitches and inconvenient maintenance times. This transition is set to begin in Spring 2024 and finish by the end of 2025.
See also
- CourseInfo LLC – the precursor to Blackboard Inc.