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Blackboard: Spoke too soon?

Alfred Essa posted this tidbit today: An Important Correction to the Blackboard Patent Story A number of us, including this blog, have gotten this story wrong. It’s time for a correction. The USPTO has NOT invalidated the Blackboard patent. Instead the USPTO is proposing to invalidate the patent and

Creating simple ungraded quiz questions with feedback using HTML and JavaScript

Clive Shepherd recently wrote about “inductive learning.” He said: In my post last week, Whatever happened to inductive learning?, I complained how difficult it was with current rapid development tools to write more conversational inductive questions in which you as author are able to comment on each selection that the

Lines in the sand

Before I get to my point, I’d like to give you some background information. For better or for worse, I’m something of a perfectionist. I’m also something of an idealist; this combination makes life very difficult sometimes. When I embark on a project, I’m usually driven

PTO sets Blackboard straight

All 44 of Blackboard’s patent claims have been thrown out by the US Patent & Trademark Office. It’s not 100% official (this is the first step in the process), but things are looking up… for everyone except Blackboard. I really think they shot themselves in the foot by

Things to consider when working on a training project

I read not one, but three great blog posts today regarding what kinds of questions you should asking yourself when working on a project. Two of the blogs were not specific to the e-learning industry, but they apply nonetheless. Why? The first blog, by Jason at 37signals.com, suggests that

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