The US based Agilix Labs has released Blackboard Backpack 3.1, an update to the company's mobility solution for the Blackboard Learning System. The new update adds support for the 2004 Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), including support for viewing SCORM content offline.
Blackboard Backpack is a system designed for mobile users of Blackboard learning management systems, providing offline access to Blackboard content, including courses, discussions, announcements, tasks, and calendar items, among others. It also allows Blackboard users to complete assignments or compose posts for discussions while offline, then upload the content the next time they log in to the Blackboard system. New in version 3.1 is support for SCORM content, including the ability to view SCORM content while disconnected from the server, as well as the ability to upload grades automatically from SCORM content to the Blackboard server gradebook, according to Agilix. The company said the new version also reduces network bandwidth requirements, contention, and latency. Blackboard Backpack 3.1 is available through Blackboard for Windows XP/SP2 and Vista. It requires the latest Blackboard Learning System update to support the new SCORM features. A free 30-day trial version is available.
