Dive Brief:
- Blackboard announced Wednesday the acquisition of SchoolWire, a company that builds and hosts websites and apps in the K-12 space.
- With the acquisition, Blackboard aims to improve its K-12 solutions and services, particularly as it pertains to communication and engagement.
- Among Schoolwires' offerings, which are used by 1,700 educational clients in the U.S. and China, are an integrated website and content management system, a social learning and networking system, mobile applications, and an enterprise platform.
Dive Insight:
Most notably, the purchase strengthens Blackboard's foothold in the K-12 school website and app space.
Perhaps one of the most popular LMS choices in the post-secondary world, Blackboard has in recent years increased its K-12 presence. Its LMS solutions in the primary and secondary space are categorized under Common Core ,Innovative Learning, and Open Classroom options, each of which plays on the strengths of mobile devices in a classroom setting. The company also sees mobile communication tools as a great way to keep families informed about what's going on in their child's school.
Last year, Blackboard also acquired ParentLink, and the Schoolwires purchase is viewed as the next step in addressing the needs of all K-12 stakeholders. While Blackboard's products appear to provide clear ways to share information and advise teachers, an actual tracking and documentation system doesn't seem to be at the forefront of its K-12 products. With the range of SchoolWires' solutions and services, perhaps this could mean such a system is on its way.
