Blackboard Connect Platform Used For Outreach Efforts During Swine Flu Outbreak

During the swine flu outbreak, schools and cities used notification technology to reach parents and residents with important updates and information. The Blackboard Connect platform from Blackboard Inc from April 27 to May 4 was used to send around 9.79 million messages direct to users in support of school and government outreach efforts.

 

It is estimated that approximately 40 percent of the 9.79 million messages dealt with the flu outbreak. Officials communicated a wide range of information through email, voicemail and text messages to parents, staff and residents.

 

This information consisted of updates on potential cases and precautionary measures being taken to help control the spread of disease and eliminate undue panic in communities. Rapid and consistent communication of accurate information is highly essential in minimizing the impact of a public threat.

 

The Blackboard Connect platform plays an important role in the emergency preparedness plan of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). LAUSD officials also use the Blackboard Connect platform to communicate information on student attendance, activities and testing schedules and volunteer programs. The outreach has helped to increase student achievement, parental involvement and overall enrollment.

 

When public concern over the flu started surfacing on April 27, Dr. Kimberly Uyeda, the Director of Student Medical Services at LAUSD sent a message regarding to 713,000 unique recipients in both English and Spanish. According to Dr. Uyeda, it was imperative to quickly and effectively address the issue since California borders Mexico and also because so many of LAUSD’s students have family ties to cities in Mexico where the outbreak first hit. The assuring message sent to parents, students and staff helped to reduce the calls from parents. The Blackboard Connect platform was also used by other school and government leaders to report suspected flu cases and quickly communicate campus closures.

 

A fully managed Software as a Service (SaaS (News - Alert)) solution, the Blackboard Connect enables officials to quickly reach their organizations and communities through voice, text and email messages to various communication platforms and devices. The Blackboard Connect does not require any additional hardware and can be used from any computer with Internet access or telephone.