Montvale, NJ, March 23, 2017
Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC), today announced availability of its integration with Blackboard Learn™, Blackboard’s leading learning management system. The integration enhances the paper-to-digital workflows in higher education and K‐12 learning environments.
Through the integration, students can use any connected Sharp multifunctional printer (MFP) on campus to scan assignments and upload the file directly to their Blackboard Learn courses. It improves the student user experience by providing a more efficient and flexible way to submit handwritten or hard-copy assignments. The integration also streamlines the workflow for instructors, allowing them to review and grade uploaded assignments from within their Blackboard Learn course.
“Technology needs to keep pace with the demand for better and smarter ways of working in education,” said Vince Jannelli, Associate Vice President of Software Product Management, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “By connecting our products through our alliance with Blackboard, we are continuing on our journey to help improve the learning experience, both inside and outside of the classroom.”
Blackboard Learn is Blackboard’s flagship learning management system (LMS) that provides the technology foundation for online learning programs. The LMS helps schools improve their academic quality and engage students, promoting student success. Sharp announced its alliance with Blackboard at the end of 2015. Since then, the companies have worked together to development the integration which is now available for Blackboard Learn clients.
“We are pleased to align with Sharp to bring increased efficiency to students and educators using Blackboard Learn,” said Kathleen Vieira, Vice President of Partner and Portfolio Management at Blackboard. “This integration is another example of how Blackboard is partnering with the global education community to enable learner and institutional success.”
The integration is exclusively available to Blackboard clients enrolled in the Sharp Application Integrator Program. To download the Sharp MFP Assignment Submission Building Block, clients can visit the Blackboard Extensions Catalog.