Research shows a positive correlation between student engagement and success in online learning. So how do you build engagement into your program intentionally? Mary Beth Graham and Tammy Barker of Indiana Tech share how their team uses BigBlueButton to offer consistent, high-quality opportunities for students to engage with instructors and classmates in "How We Use BigBlueButton to Engage Online Learners." Expect practical, instructor-ready best practices you can apply right away. Day 1 — June 23 at 15:00 UTC. Free to attend. Register now 🔗 world.bigbluebutton.org #BBBWorld2026 #BigBlueButton #VirtualClassroom #EdTech #OnlineLearning #HigherEd #VirtualLearning

What does an effective virtual classroom session actually look like? BigBlueButton co-founder Fred Dixon opens BigBlueButton World 2026 with the keynote "The World Needs More BigBlueButton: Open, Sovereign, and Built for Education and Collaboration." Effective learning isn't about adding more AI to the classroom. It comes from authentic engagement between learner and educator. Humans learn best from humans. In this keynote, Fred looks at how learning theory has shaped BigBlueButton's design from the beginning, where the project is headed next, and why an open-source virtual classroom matters for institutions and governments that need secure, sovereign collaboration at scale. Day 1 — Tuesday, June 23 at 14:00 UTC. Free to attend. Register now 🔗 world.bigbluebutton.org #BBBWorld2026 #BigBlueButton #VirtualClassroom #EdTech #OnlineLearning #OpenSource

BigBlueButton World 2026 is coming June 23–25 — and it's free to attend! This year's theme is The Virtual Classroom for the Future, and there's a lot to talk about: a redesigned user interface, a powerful new plugin architecture, and the role of AI in the virtual classroom. Whether you're already running BigBlueButton, considering it for your organization, or just curious about where virtual learning is headed, this is your chance to see what's next straight from the team building it. Here's what to expect: → Product roadmap deep dives → A first look at the new BigBlueButton user experience → Sessions on the extensible plugin architecture → The role of AI in the virtual classroom → Insights from Moodle → Real-world success stories from organizations transforming how they teach and train online BigBlueButton World is a virtual conference open to everyone including educators, administrators, developers, integration partners, and anyone invested in better online learning. Register now → world.bigbluebutton.org And stay tuned for more information about specific sessions. #BBBWorld2026 #BigBlueButton #VirtualClassroom #EdTech #OnlineLearning

🌍 Happy Earth Day from the Blindside Networks and BigBlueButton team! Every virtual classroom is a small win for the planet. When learning moves online, students and educators skip the commute and the emissions that come with it. When course materials live in a digital space, paper stays on the tree. At Blindside Networks, we believe the future of education doesn't just have to be more accessible, it can be more sustainable too. Open-source virtual classrooms are one piece of that puzzle. Here's to building learning environments that are good for students and the world they'll inherit. 🌱 #EarthDay #Sustainability #EdTech #VirtualLearning #OpenSource #BigBlueButton #RemoteLearning

Looking for a trusted partner to host BigBlueButton for your organization? The new bigbluebutton.com gives you everything you need to know about commercial hosting, from managed hosting plans and enterprise deployments to LMS integrations, learning analytics, and dedicated support. Built and managed by Blindside Networks, the founders of BigBlueButton, the site is designed to help educators, IT teams, and institutional leaders find the right hosting path for their organization. Explore your options → bigbluebutton.com #BigBlueButton #BlindsideNetworks #EdTech #VirtualClassroom #OnlineLearning

Want to make your BigBlueButton sessions in Moodle even smoother? bbbext_bnx (BigBlueButton BN Experience) is a new Moodle subplugin that enhances core functionality and improves usability, while laying the groundwork for future improvements. ✅ Pre-Session Lobby – replaces “wait for moderator” with a clear, controlled entry experience ✅ Modernized Recordings View – sortable, searchable, paginated HTML/CSS table for easier access ✅ Smarter Group Handling – more consistent behavior in complex courses Designed as a framework, BNX lets your BigBlueButton environment grow with additional subplugins, automation, and integrations down the line. Upgrade your sessions now and experience a smoother, more predictable virtual classroom by installing bbbext_bnx in Moodle today: moodle.org/plugins/bbbext_bn….

Curious what BigBlueButton commercial hosting looks like in practice? The new bigbluebutton.com breaks it all down, from a side-by-side comparison of Hosted vs. Enterprise plans, to detailed overviews of the features that matter most in a virtual classroom built for education. Explore hosting options designed to scale with your institution, learn how BigBlueButton integrates natively with Moodle, Canvas, and other LMS platforms, and see how capabilities like learning analytics, custom branding, and dedicated support set commercial hosting apart. All from Blindside Networks, the team that founded BigBlueButton. bigbluebutton.com → #BigBlueButton #BlindsideNetworks #EdTech #VirtualClassroom #OnlineLearning

BigBlueButton Schoology = seamless virtual classrooms right inside your LMS. Breakout rooms, shared notes, whiteboards & more, all without leaving Schoology. Watch the demo 👇 youtube.com/watch?v=f99YWeoQ…

The team at Blindside Networks and BigBlueButton would like to wish everyone a restful and joyful long weekend this Good Friday and Easter Monday. Whether you're spending time with family, recharging, or enjoying the first signs of spring we hope you have a wonderful holiday. From all of us at Blindside Networks and BigBlueButton, Happy Easter! 🐣

BigBlueButton commercial hosting now has a home! Visit bigbluebutton.com to explore the scalable commercial hosting options and enterprise capabilities that make BigBlueButton the ideal virtual classroom for many schools, universities, and large-scale deployments. Learn about managed hosting options, enterprise-grade reliability and support, native LMS integration with Moodle and Canvas, and advanced features like learning analytics and custom branding, all provided by the founders of BigBlueButton, Blindside Networks. Whether you're an educator, an IT admin, or leading online learning strategy at your institution, the new bigbluebutton.com has everything you need to understand what BigBlueButton can do for your organization. bigbluebutton.com → #BigBlueButton #VirtualClassroom #EdTech #OnlineLearning #BlindsideNetworks

Today, on Canada’s National Day of Observance of COVID-19, we pause to remember the lives lost, the communities changed, and the collective resilience that emerged during an unprecedented global crisis. The pandemic reshaped how the world learns, connects, and collaborates. For schools, universities, and training organizations, the shift to remote learning happened almost overnight. During that time, platforms like BigBlueButton with the hosting support of Blindside Networks became essential for continuity in education, helping teachers continue their classes, students stay connected to peers, and institutions uphold their commitment to learning. Let us reflect on the importance of access to education in times of crisis, on the inequities the pandemic exposed, and on the responsibility we share to build resilient, inclusive systems for the future. We honor those we lost and acknowledge the educators, learners, healthcare workers, and community members whose strength carried us through. #NationalDayOfObservance #COVID19 #RemoteLearning #OnlineLearning #EdTech #DigitalEquity #BigBlueButton #BlindsideNetworks

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day and recognize the women who shape our teams, our technology, and our communities. International Women’s Day is a reminder that access to education and opportunity is not evenly distributed. As a company focused on virtual classrooms and online collaboration, we believe inclusive technology plays an important role in expanding access and that building it responsibly requires diverse teams at the table. We recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in our organization, the open-source community, and the global education community we serve. Thank you for the expertise, leadership, and care you bring to your work and for helping create spaces where more voices can be heard. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 #WomenInTech #WomenInEducation #InclusiveTechnology #DigitalEquity #BigBlueButton #BlindsideNetworks

We’re excited to share that Fred Dixon, CEO of Blindside Networks and co-founder of BigBlueButton, was featured on this week’s episode of The Moodle Podcast, “Truly Active Learning: Empowering Modern Classrooms with Fred Dixon”! In this podcast, Fred shares Blindside Network’s mission to eliminate the "back of the classroom" in digital spaces, arguing that virtual learning should never be a passive experience like watching a YouTube video. He dives deep into the science of active learning and why "purposeful struggle" is the essential "burn" required for neural pathways to actually change. Fred provides a candid take on the rise of AI in education, warning that while it is a powerful tool for educators to gain back time, it risks becoming "ultra-processed food" for students, leading to cognitive offloading rather than true mastery. Whether you’re an educator, edtech enthusiast, or lifelong learner, this conversation is packed with ideas you won’t want to miss. Listen here: ow.ly/HmKg50YoF3K #MoodlePodcast #EdTech #ActiveLearning #BigBlueButton #BlindsideNetworks

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the curiosity, creativity, and contributions of women and girls who are advancing discovery, innovation, and learning across STEM. At Blindside Networks and BigBlueButton, we believe equitable access to education is essential to building the future of science and technology. Through the BigBlueButton platform, we’re proud to support inclusive learning environments where women and girls can learn, collaborate, and lead with confidence. Today, we celebrate their impact and continue to support pathways that help close the gender gap in science. #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM #EquityInEducation #BigBlueButton #BlindsideNetworks

This past weekend wrapped up our attendance at the EU Open Source Policy Summit, where BigBlueButton was proud to be a Production Partner. It was an exciting event that brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and open source advocates to explore how open source is shaping Europe’s digital future. From open infrastructure and digital sovereignty to AI, public sector innovation, and collaborative standards, the conversations highlighted the growing role open source plays in building resilient, transparent, and competitive digital ecosystems. BigBlueButton powered the live stream for the event, helping extend these important discussions beyond the room. The stream peaked at 154 concurrent users, with a total of 207 attendees joining online to follow and engage with the sessions. Thank you to the organizers, speakers, and everyone who joined remotely and in person to make this a meaningful and impactful event. We’re excited to continue supporting open, accessible platforms for collaboration and policy discussions across Europe and globally! #BigBlueButton #OpenSource #EUOpenSourceSummit #DigitalSovereignty #OpenInfrastructure #PolicyAndTech

This Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions, leadership, and lasting impact of Black educators, technologists, and community builders who continue to shape learning, innovation, and open source. BigBlueButton believes equitable access to education is essential to building a more just future. We’re proud to support open, inclusive technologies that help remove barriers and create spaces where every voice can be heard. We honour the past, celebrate the present, and commit to doing the work, this month and always. #BlackHistoryMonth #EquityInEducation #OpenSource #InclusiveTechnology #BigBlueButton #BlindsideNetworks #VirtualClassroom #OnlineLearning

In case you missed it, we’re heading to Brussels this week for the EU Open Source Policy Summit on January 30th! As Production Partners for the Summit this year, we’re excited to be part of the conversations shaping Europe’s digital future, from open infrastructure and AI to digital sovereignty and collaboration at scale. Fred Dixon, co-founder of BigBlueButton and CEO of Blindside Networks, will be there and would love to connect with fellow open-source advocates. He’ll also be attending the Open Source Observatory event on the 28th. If you’ll be in Brussels and want to meet up, let us know in the comments, we’d love to say hello. 👉 Learn more: ow.ly/KsF550Y3N2C #OSSummit2026 #OpenSource #BigBlueButton

Did you know that Blindside Networks and our virtual learning platform, BigBlueButton, are proudly Canadian companies? That’s right! We’re based in Ottawa Ontario and were born out of Carleton University’s Technology Innovation Management program. Choosing a locally sourced virtual learning platform isn’t just about geography, it’s about trust, responsiveness, and tailored solutions for your learners. By hosting BigBlueButton with its Canadian creators your organization gets: - Data residency and compliance with Canadian privacy standards - A partner who understands the unique needs of Canadian schools, businesses, and government - Local support in your time zone But we aren’t just for Canadian organizations! Blindside Networks has the capabilities and expertise to host BBB for global organizations of all sizes. Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Get in touch! ow.ly/cVsl50XLaaY

We’re thrilled to announce that we are sponsoring the EU Open Source Policy Summit happening in Brussels on January 30th as Production Partners. This summit brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and open source innovators to shape Europe’s digital future. From open infrastructure and AI to collaborative standards and sovereign cloud strategies, the Summit’s agenda will explore how open source drives competitiveness, resilience, and innovation across sectors. Fred Dixon, co-founder of BigBlueButton and CEO of Blindside Networks, will be in attendance and is looking forward to meeting other like-minded professions in the open-source space. Plus, Fred will be attending the Open Source Observatory event prior to the Summit on the 28th. Leave us a comment if you’ll be attending and would like to meet up with Fred. 👉 Learn more about the Summit: summit.openforumeurope.org #OSSummit2026 #OpenSource #DigitalSovereignty #BigBlueButton

🎉 Happy New Year from Blindside Networks and BigBlueButton! Here’s to another year of empowering educators, engaging learners, and building better virtual classrooms together. Thank you for being part of our community. Let’s continue making online learning more accessible, more interactive, and more human. 💙 #HappyNewYear #EdTech #VirtualClassrooms #BigBlueButton #BlindsideNetworks