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June 11, 2009, 03:39 PM ET
New Blackboard Executive Starts Blog, Promising New Culture of Openness
The new head of Blackboard Inc.‘s course-management-software division, Ray Henderson, started a blog this week, and he’s already facing tough questions from critics.
Mr. Henderson was given the job last month after Blackboard bought Angel Learning, where Mr. Henderson had led product development. Many Angel clients expressed anger at the deal but praise for the appointment of Mr. Henderson to a high position in Blackboard’s ranks.
Eager to prove that he plans to bring change to Blackboard, Mr. Henderson declared that his blog is a sign of more transparent times. “Me joining the company means we’re going to communicate more often and more openly,” he wrote in his opening post on Tuesday. “I’m excited about having a spot where I can muse out loud about my take on various things in eLearning, and have other folks weigh in with theirs,” he added. “In particular, I’ve got lots to say on the whole openness, standards, interoperability question.”
He allows comments on the blog, though he says he is moderating them before they go live. “I’m dipping my toe in the previously uncharted waters for Blackboard of having comments turned on in this blog,” he explained in a note on the blog. “Not revolutionary I know and really required for an interesting exchange. But a new step for Blackboard nonetheless and one we’re taking gradually.”
Still, Mr. Henderson has allowed plenty of critical voices on the site so far. “Tell your new Blackboard colleagues to drop the lawsuit with D2L,” wrote one commenter, referring to the company’s patent-infringement lawsuit against Desire2Learn, another company making course-management software. “Start putting education (not litigation) first.” Another commenter said that Blackboard promised more open communication with customers last time it bought a rival, when it bought WebCT in 2007, but did not deliver. The blog commenter asked: “Why should we believe what you are saying this time?”
Mr. Henderson wrote a reply today to some of the questions. He punted on the patent issue: “Step one for me is to educate myself on this matter. Until I do so it’s not something I’ll talk about here.” And he closed with a cliffhanger: “To the question about what’s new this time around as Bb and ANGEL come together, there are some really important differences that I’ll be addressing directly in the next week or two.” We’ll stay tuned. —Jeffrey R. Young
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