Ik kreeg vandaag de uitnodiging van Blackboard om deel te nemen aan het het Beta programma voor Blackboard 7 Application Pack 2. Het doel van het programma is volgens Blackboard:

...

• Verify no critical defects in existing or new features on real client production sites
• Validate stability & scalability improvements
• Validate documentation readiness
• Provide clients early access to new features
• Collect enhancement ideas

Als je als instelling meedoet aan het beta-programma moet je ook een NDA(non-disclosure agreement) tekenen, dus dan mag ik er niet meer over schrijven op mijn weblog.

Na weer een mooie statement van de advocaten:

Any statements in this presentation about future expectations, plans and prospects for Blackboard and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our most recent 10-Q filed with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this presentation. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this presentation. Blackboard, in its sole discretion, may delay or cancel the release of any product or functionality described in this presentation.

Staan de volgende nieuwe mogelijkheden genoemd:

• Early Warning System
  • Instructors are provided with the ability to define rules against key course metrics to proactively monitor student progress
  • Integration with Email and Observers to promote active communication
• Observer Management
  • Ability to have a multi to multi association model.
  • Improved Observer Tools to facilitate management of students being observed.
  • Improved Administrator Tools for managing Observer Associations
• Content System Improvements
  • Newly re-designed e-Portfolios with support for whole portfolio templates and greater personalization options around layout, fonts, and background.
  • Improved Administrator Tools for managing files in the Content System and identifying orphaned content.
  • General enhancements to the user experience to streamline content and permissions management.
• And more...

Application pack 2 ondergaat nu QA, eind 2006/begin 2007 moet deze GA (general available) zijn.

Vooral de verbeteringen in het Content System spreken mij aan, want daar is de afgelopen versies weinig in veranderd en daar zijn zeker nog wel een aantal verbeteringen te doen.