New App Brings the Academic Experience to Mobile Devices

AMSTERDAM – 7 February, 2011 – Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) today announced that the University of Southern Denmark has signed an agreement for Blackboard Mobile™ Learn, making it the first Scandinavian institution to partner with Blackboard to enable students to access course content on their smartphones and mobile devices.

With five campuses, students at the University of Southern Denmark spend a significant amount of time travelling between lectures. Students and teachers are using their mobile devices to interact online, get directions and find friends. To better leverage mobile support for the academic experience, the University decided to extend access to interactive teaching and learning to mobile devices, allowing users to comment on class discussions, view grades and documents, and access course information and materials.

“Using mobile applications for students to not only contact one another but carry out day-to-day academic experiences such as accessing and printing course materials is becoming increasingly common,” said Ambrosia Hansen, Head of Department for Competence Development at the University of Southern Denmark. “Blackboard Mobile Learn is essential for our institution to deliver a first class learning and teaching experience. We aim to provide students with an innovative and technologically savvy learning environment that not only meets their needs but which facilitates successful learning. A recent study by Ericsson indicates that 80 percent of people who go online worldwide will be connected via a mobile device in 2015. It is highly probable that our students will increase their use of smartphones when working with learning activities in Blackboard within the next few years.”

“Blackboard’s mobile solutions are already helping to enhance the academic experience for students worldwide” said Kayvon Beykpour, Vice President of Blackboard Mobile. “The evolution of mobile devices has created so many opportunities for mobile learning and overall student engagement. We’re excited to work with the University of Southern Denmark, they’re at the forefront of delivering the classroom experience to mobile users.”

Developed by Blackboard’s dedicated mobile team, Blackboard Mobile Learn is currently available in native applications designed for some of the world’s leading mobile platforms and devices including Android™ and BlackBerry® smartphones as well as the Apple® iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch®. After being enabled by their institution, students and faculty can download the apps for free at the app stores.

For more information about Blackboard’s mobile solutions, please visit http://blackboard.com/Mobile/Overview.aspx.

For more information about the University of Southern Denmark, please visit http://www.sdu.dk/?sc_lang=en