EdBizWatch

Blackboard Acquires X-Ray Analytics for Moodle

The cloud-based tool visualizes data generated by learning management systems.

Blackboard Acquires X-Ray Analytics for Moodle, Joshua Bolkan, The Journal 

Pearson sells PowerSchool to Vista Equity Partners for $350M

PowerSchool provides back-office software, such as pupil attendance tracking, etc.

Pearson sells PowerSchool to Vista Equity Partners for $350M, D. Hipwell, The Times 

Instructure Raises $40M Led by Insight Venture Partners

Total capital behind co: $90 Million, will use funds to push company toward an IPO.

Instructure Raises $40 Million Led by Insight Venture Partners, J. Marino, Business Insider

Q&A with Instructure CEO, Josh Coates

For problem solvers like Coates, LMS was a classic innovator’s dilemma opportunity.

Q&A with Instructure CEO, Josh Coates, Tony Wan, edSurge

What's in Store for the $8 Billion LMS Market?

There may be a disconnect between end users and decision-makers.

What's in Store for the $8 Billion LMS Market? Tony Wan, edSurge

Desire2Learn Scores $85 Million in Second Funding Round

Proceeds to develop its cloud-based learning software & speed international expansion.

Desire2Learn Scores $85M in Second Funding Round, Gerrit De Vynck, Bloomberg

The Post-LMS LMS

Vendors are increasingly opening their systems to outside developers. 

The Post-LMS LMS, Carl Straumsheim, Inside Higher Education

The Sum of Desire2Learn's Acquisitions: Brightspace

“I dislike the term LMS because it only covers a small segment in what we do." John Baker

The Sum of Desire2Learn's Acquisitions: Brightspace, Tony Wan, edSurge

Schoology Raises $15 Million Led by Intel Capital

Besides its LMS core, Schoology offers tools to streamline educators' workflow. 

Schoology Raises $15 Million Led by Intel Capital, Kay Alexander, Edukwest

WhippleHill Acquired for $35 Million by Blackbaud

Fundraising software company, Blackbaud, adds WhippleHill's K12 private school LMS.

Blackbaud Acquires WhippleHill for $35M, Stephen Noonoo, The Journal

Schoology Wins Contract for Ed-Tech Project in Uruguay

Work will be conducted through a government-run project called Plan Ceibal, widely regarded as one of the most ambitious school technology projects in the world.

Schoology Wins Contract for Ed-Tech Project in Uruguay, Sean Cavanagh, EW

14 Developments to Watch for in 2014

Assessments, OER, BYOD, online, playlists, platforms, growth measures...

14 Developments to Watch for in 2014, Tom Vander Ark, Education Week

Top 10 Ed-Tech Trends of 2013

Zombie ideas = ed tech ideas that refuse to die even though we know they are monsterous.

Top 10 Ed-Tech Trends of 2013, Pt 1, Audrey Watters, Hack Education

New Data for Higher Ed LMS Market

Despite much talk about the demise of the LMS market, the end is nowhere in sight. 

New Data for Higher Ed LMS Market, Phil Hill, e-Literate

5 Questions About Adaptive Learning Platforms

How many of you have actually spent quality time in an adaptive learning platform?

5 Questions About Adaptive Learning Platforms, Joshua Kim, Inside Higher Ed

Adrenna Purchased by Gilfus Ventures

It's part of a plan to rival LMS powerhouses like Blackboard, Desire2Learn, Instructure.

Adrenna Purchased by Gilfus Ventures, Bill Flook, Business Journal (Washington)

Student Data is the New Oil

What does it mean if we view students (and their data) as a resource to be mined and extracted? What's gained? What's lost? What's depleted? Who profits? Who benefits? 

Student Data is the New Oil: MOOCs, Metaphor, and Money, Audrey Watters, Hack Education

Blackboard Validates Mozilla Digital Badges

Digital badges are integrated into Blackboard Learn and CourseSites. 

Blackboard Validates Mozilla Digital Badges, Dian Schaffhauser, The Journal

Instructure Raises $30 Million led by Bessemer

Series D financing round to help the company move closer to an eventual public offering.

Instructure Raises $30 Million led by Bessemer, Ki Mae Heusser, GigaOm

Desire2Learn Learning Suite Updates Mobile, Access Tools

Update primarily includes new analytics functionality targeted specifically to higher ed.

Desire2Learn Learning Suite Updates Mobile, Accessibility Tools, D. Schaffhauser, The Journal