5. Companies innovated and influenced

Blackboard in July announced a “Center for Advancing Learning” to produce analysis and target top education issues, its director told EdScoop. The center plans first to support historically Black and minority-serving institutions, and launch accessibility and online program management alternatives.

Instructure in July announced its “EdTech Collective,” designed to link up the company’s collaborators. Instructure’s online platform also offers merit badges for companies that complete certain tasks, like data privacy documentation, so that potential partners can learn more before opening a conversation.