This piece really resonated with me. So many platforms in higher ed tech have become the “default” not because they’re the best — but because they’re familiar. The “familiarity moat” is real, but it’s also weakening. We’re at a moment ripe for innovation: where new players who prioritize usability, integration, and actual student impact have a real chance to break through. The opportunity is there — if we’re bold enough to rethink what’s possible.
We were disappointed to see this post. We are immensely proud of the incredible solution that Blackboard is today and the work of the talented team that supports the product and our customers.
It appears many of the comments included in this post refer to legacy technology and/ or are factually inaccurate.
At Anthology, we work closely with our customers to deliver the most modern, data-informed learning management system in the market—and we have the results to prove it. We welcome transparent, informed dialogue and remain open to engagement grounded in facts.
We invite all readers to explore today’s Blackboard and see firsthand why it continues to earn recognition from analysts, global awards programs, and—most importantly—our users.
See what the industry and our customers are saying:
- Blackboard ranked a Commander in the Tambellini StarChart™ 2024 for Learning Management Systems (LMS)
In addition, Anthology has been leading the industry in advancing ethical AI use throughout higher education. We launched the Ethical AI in Action World Tour. From Sydney to Johannesburg to Santiago and Boston, our global tour travelled to more than 25 cities in 16 countries to help higher education institutions map out a responsible path to adopt AI in teaching and learning. https://www.anthology.com/ethical-ai-in-action
We appreciate the work Blackboard continues to do for many institutions. Our research also surfaced specific areas where Blackboard is perceived to have an edge.
That said, our article reflects feedback gathered in recent research from both current users and former customers. The sentiment we surfaced isn’t a dismissal of Blackboard’s capabilities, but a diagnosis of how the platform and brand are perceived in a fast-moving market increasingly shaped by AI expectations and faculty experience. Product perception, like product performance, shapes adoption curves.
We welcome further dialogue. If Blackboard is evolving faster than the market realizes, that’s a story worth telling.
This piece really resonated with me. So many platforms in higher ed tech have become the “default” not because they’re the best — but because they’re familiar. The “familiarity moat” is real, but it’s also weakening. We’re at a moment ripe for innovation: where new players who prioritize usability, integration, and actual student impact have a real chance to break through. The opportunity is there — if we’re bold enough to rethink what’s possible.
Thanks for reading, Kasandrea! In your experience what are the key institutional barriers to change?
We were disappointed to see this post. We are immensely proud of the incredible solution that Blackboard is today and the work of the talented team that supports the product and our customers.
It appears many of the comments included in this post refer to legacy technology and/ or are factually inaccurate.
At Anthology, we work closely with our customers to deliver the most modern, data-informed learning management system in the market—and we have the results to prove it. We welcome transparent, informed dialogue and remain open to engagement grounded in facts.
We invite all readers to explore today’s Blackboard and see firsthand why it continues to earn recognition from analysts, global awards programs, and—most importantly—our users.
See what the industry and our customers are saying:
- Blackboard ranked a Commander in the Tambellini StarChart™ 2024 for Learning Management Systems (LMS)
https://www.anthology.com/news/anthologys-blackboard-ranked-as-a-top-learning-management-system-by-leading-edtech-analyst-0
- Blackboard Won 20 G2 Awards for Winter 2025
https://www.anthology.com/blog/blackboard-wins-20-g2-awards-for-winter-2025
- Blackboard delivers real value to customers around the world. https://www.anthology.com/experience-blackboard
In addition, Anthology has been leading the industry in advancing ethical AI use throughout higher education. We launched the Ethical AI in Action World Tour. From Sydney to Johannesburg to Santiago and Boston, our global tour travelled to more than 25 cities in 16 countries to help higher education institutions map out a responsible path to adopt AI in teaching and learning. https://www.anthology.com/ethical-ai-in-action
We were also the first LMS provider to launch an ethical AI Policy Framework, a resource to support higher education institutions who are interested in developing and adopting specific policies and programs on the ethical use of AI within their institution. https://www.anthology.com/news/new-ai-policy-framework-from-anthology-empowers-higher-education-to-balance-the-risks-and
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen Blackboard, we welcome you to reach out and see what we’ve been working on for the higher education community.
The Anthology Team
Thanks to the Anthology team for weighing in.
We appreciate the work Blackboard continues to do for many institutions. Our research also surfaced specific areas where Blackboard is perceived to have an edge.
That said, our article reflects feedback gathered in recent research from both current users and former customers. The sentiment we surfaced isn’t a dismissal of Blackboard’s capabilities, but a diagnosis of how the platform and brand are perceived in a fast-moving market increasingly shaped by AI expectations and faculty experience. Product perception, like product performance, shapes adoption curves.
We welcome further dialogue. If Blackboard is evolving faster than the market realizes, that’s a story worth telling.