Blackboard updated.

As a student at Albright College for a semester, I utilized Blackboard. It let me check my current grades, message other students in my course and the professor, and access course information needed for assignments, among other things.

Now, Blackboard is being integrated into the iPhone applications. As mentioned in the Blackboard Press Release, students at schools (both collegiate and K-12) are able to access their schools' Blackboard site from their iPhones. One student mentions a positive of this collaboration as being able to check the site like he checks his e-mails.

I agree with this student in that it is making life easier for students who first have an iPhone, and secondly use Blackboard with their school. When I was in college, I found myself checking my e-mail quite often soon after a test to see what my grade would be. Now, some students will be able to access this information from anywhere using their phones.

The other piece I find especially useful is that if a teacher shares a website or information during class that is located on Blackboard, students can easily get to that information now, no matter where they are. This would be particularly helpful if the student were studying somewhere without an internet connection.

Of course, if students do not own an iPhone, they will be unable to reach Blackboard unless on the computer. These students may see how helpful their friends' iPhones are and decide to purchase one also. Hopefully this currently Beta application will grow and allow users of other phones access in the near future.