10/11/11 ks

HAYS, Kan. -- Fort Hays State University has launched Blackboard Mobile Learn, a mobile application that provides students with full access to their course information directly from their mobile devices.

Students, educators and staff can download the application for free through app stores now by searching "Blackboard Mobile Learn."

Designed specifically for each mobile platform, students can check grades and assignments, create threaded discussion posts, upload content, view documents and more.

"Earlier this year smart phone sales overtook traditional 'feature' cell phone sales," said Dennis King, director of FHSU's Virtual College and Learning Technologies. "In 2014 it is projected that tablet sales will surpass laptops. By opening course access to mobile devices, FHSU is giving students what they want, but more importantly, what they need to be successful now and in the future."

Blackboard Mobile Learn is currently available in native applications for Android, BlackBerry and HP webOS smart phones, as well as the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

For information about accessing and using the Blackboard Mobile Learn app, go to http://www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/news/Blackboard-Mobile-Learn-App/ on the FHSU website.

"While we're excited about our new mobile learning apps, we are already hard at work to make them even more useful for students and for instructors," King said. "We feel like we've only scratched the surface of what's possible with mobile learning and we hope to do a lot more with your ideas and input as part of the mix. If there's something you'd like to see in our mobile apps, please tell us. We want to know!"

Submit your thoughts and ideas at http://www.blackboard.com/ Mobile/Student.aspx or on the FHSU blog at http:// www.mobilegarageblog.com.