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CMS/LMS
D2L Debuts Desire2Learn Essentials
2/27/2007
Software developer Desire2Learn is lowering the ante for campus-wide CMS/LMS adoption. The company today debuted a new version of its course and learning management system designed for universities, colleges, schools, and e-learning programs with fewer than 5,000 users.The new tool, called Desire2Learn Essentials, offers functionality similar to that of D2L's large-scale Desire2Learn Learning Environment, along with customization features designed to enhance experiences for students and faculty alike.
"Desire2Learn Essentials addresses the core issues smaller institutions face. By offering a competitive edge to access a powerful enterprise-scale application, with all the required tools and functionality enabling rapid development, delivery, all learners can benefit from a quality online experience. Desire2Learn Essentials empowers smaller institutions to maximize their resources and enables them to have the same e-learning opportunities as larger institutions," said Patricia Fellows, instructional technology and training coordinator at University of Wisconsin Colleges, in a prepared statement.
Essentials is a Web-based suite hosted by Desire2Learn that provides a widget-based interface for customization of elements, such as news, user guides, events, and various other types of optional content. Some of the specific features include:
- Customization throughout the interface, down to the course level;
- A variety of question types for quizzes and tests;
- Self-assessment features for students;
- Tracking of student involvement in the system, including materials read and tests taken;
- Gradebook features;
- Discussions and blogs;
- Support for RSS; and
- Dropoffs for assignments.
Please visit Campus Technology Thursday for an in depth "first look" at this new system.
More info:
Desire2Learn
About the author: Dave Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's educational technology online publications and electronic newsletters. He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com.
Have any additional questions? Want to share your story? Want to pass along a news tip? Contact Dave Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.
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