Ultimate Medical Academy Provides Enhanced Learning Experience for Online Healthcare Programs With Launch of Blackboard 9.1

TAMPA, Fla., June 4, 2012 – Students enrolled in online healthcare education programs at Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) now have access to Blackboard Learn 9.1, a new online learning platform that is designed to provide an enhanced interactive experience. The new learning management system (LMS) replaces Blackboard Campus Edition 8, delivering expanded functionality and a better user experience for UMA students, faculty and administrators.

Blackboard Learn 9.1 parallels an actual classroom, offering an enhanced level of interaction between students and instructors. In addition to improved iconography and a more engaging, user-friendly interface, the new system features a student resource center with tutorial videos and supplemental learning resources as well as exclusive instructor and advisor bios. Students can easily navigate to weekly course content, discussions, assignments and tests and access mail messages, chat, course questions and more.

Faculty and administrators also benefit from Blackboard 9.1, with a more streamlined work process, increased efficiency and faster LMS load time. The new system automates a number of tasks, including attendance, user setup, final grade extracts, faculty assignments, status changes and student enrollments.

“UMA cares about our students, and we are committed to providing them with the best possible online healthcare education. To that end, we have invested in state-of-the-art LMS technology to elevate the online learning experience to the next level,” said Gail Moore-Swaby, UMA’s Vice President of Program Development and Corporate Training. “The many enhancements introduced in Blackboard version 9.1 make an excellent online learning platform even better, and we have already received a great deal of positive feedback from students, faculty and administrators. I encourage users to share their experiences with us, as we take all input into account when seeking out new opportunities for enhancements to UMA’s online healthcare programs.”

Users were migrated to Blackboard Learn 9.1 in three phases between April 16 and May 21, 2012, depending on when their next course was scheduled to begin. All UMA online students are now accessing their online healthcare courses through the new LMS. New and prospective students can get a preview of the enhanced LMS via the Blackboard Learn 9.1 Introduction video posted on the UMA YouTube channel.