Desire2Learn Announces Release of Newest Enhancements to Desire2Learn Learning Suite

The latest version of Desire2Learn Learning Suite enhances teaching and learning for learners, instructors and administrators through new and improved tools and features

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, March 10, 2011

Desire2Learn Incorporated (Desire2Learn), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise eLearning solutions, today announced the release of the latest version of Desire2Learn® Learning Suite.

Improvements include course administration enhancements, increased mobile web access features, media integration, and advanced grading functionality. Desire2Learn Learning Suite enables institutions to offer learners an engaging learning experience, provides a robust set of tools that are intuitive for instructors and administrators to use, and supports the development of quality courses which enhance teaching and learning for all.

"We continuously partner with our clients", says Kenneth Chapman, Senior Director of Product Strategy, Desire2Learn Incorporated. "Many of the product features in this release were designed and developed with their assistance. These enhancements build on our existing strengths and further enable institutions to focus on the teaching and learning experience."

Desire2Learn Learning Environment 9.2 extends opportunities for alignment of learning objectives with course materials and enables the development of learning pathways in response to achievement of these objectives. Desire2Learn Learning Environment redefines what a learning management system (LMS) should be. New assessment features offer highly efficient techniques for instructors, while increasing transparency into the assessment process for learners. Some key enhancements in this release include:

• the ability for instructors to assess quizzes by question
• the capacity for learners to view assessment rubrics prior to the completion and submission of an assignment, and for assessed rubric scores and feedback to be transferred directly to the gradebook
• the inclusion of integrated audio recording tools directly within Learning Environment, for both learner submission and instructor feedback
• enhancements to Desire2Learn's free mobile web offering, enabling participation in discussions on-the-go regardless of preferred device
• improvements to the built-in instant messaging features
• improvement in the experience for organizations offering language courses and whose primary language is not English through the release of French, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Indonesian, and other language packs
• extension of the language formatting options through the Manage Locales tool to prepare Desire2Learn Learning Environment for worldwide adoption including right to left languages
• ability to migrate client courses from ANGEL 7.4 into the Desire2Learn platform, extending existing WebCT and Blackboard conversion support

Version 9.2 also provides improved processes for monitoring learner progress, preparing the re-offering of courses and support for different program models allowing instructors to focus on course development and interaction with learners. To learn more about Desire2Learn Learning Environment 9.2, please visit www.Desire2Learn.com/LearningEnvironment

The latest version of Desire2Learn Learning Repository 5.2 will further enable users to stay better informed, create reusable learning resources, incorporate millions of Open Educational Resources (OERs) and save time by facilitating the discovery of materials, improving upload workflow, and, providing new and improved methods of notification. Notable features of the latest version include the:

• ability to publish large amounts of content in the background, while still being able to perform other tasks
• option to receive notifications of new objects by subscribing via RSS to content aligned with state standards, program outcomes or other topics of interest

For more information about new features in Desire2Learn Learning Repository, visit www.Desire2Learn.com/LearningRepository

Desire2Learn ePortfolio 3.2 pairs engaging social networking and self-directed learning concepts with proven traditional education, enabling learners to create and share their own eLearning journey. ePortfolio improves upon the creation and sharing experience through the introduction of templates, media support and collaboration groups. The latest version:

• enables clients to push out structured ePortfolios, such as career, tenure track or learning plans, to other users or groups, allowing them to leverage best practices and taking the guess-work out of constructing a quality online portfolio
• provides template and instructional presentation packages to guide portfolio creation and offers additional ePortfolio development support

Learn more about Desire2Learn ePortfolio at www.Desire2Learn.com/ePortfolio

Desire2Learn Analytics 1.2 provides organizations with an innovative platform for optimizing teaching and learning for the learner, instructor and institution. With an open architecture designed to easily integrate in the enterprise, key features of Desire2Learn Analytics include the ability to:

• See improvement opportunities using at-a-glance reporting on learner progress and quiz performance
• Quickly understand patterns of concern and patterns of success
• Understand student behaviors
• Make data-driven decisions
• Understand course improvement opportunities
• Support accreditation processes through a combination of client consultation and upcoming reports development

For additional information on Desire2Learn Analytics, visit www.Desire2Learn.com/Analytics

"We are very excited about the newest features available in the latest version of Learning Suite," states John Baker, President & CEO, Desire2Learn. "We maintain an ongoing commitment to our clients' needs and to continuously developing our products to better serve their organizations."

Desire2Learn Incorporated is a world-leading provider of enterprise eLearning solutions that enable institutions and other organizations to create teaching and learning environments that reflect their vision, goals, and branding. Desire2Learn and its subsidiaries support more than six million learners worldwide. Clients include higher education, K-12, and healthcare as well as associations, government and other leading organizations. Founded in 1999, Desire2Learn has personnel in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. For more information, visit: www.Desire2Learn.com, call 1.519.772.0325 or toll-free 1.888.772.0325 (within North America), +44 808.234.4235 (U.K. and Europe), 0.800.452.069 (New Zealand) and 1.800.656.210 (Australia).

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John McLeod
Director of Marketing
Desire2Learn Incorporated
519.772.0325 ext. 378
PR@Desire2Learn.com