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North Dakota University System Pilots Desire2Learn Enterprise Learning Platform

SYNOPSIS: Campuses launch common learning management system

Bismarck, ND and Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, May 26, 2005 – The North Dakota University System (NDUS) has signed a contract with Desire2Learn Inc., a world-leading provider of enterprise learning systems, for the Desire2Learn Learning Platform, a complete suite of easy-to-use teaching and learning tools for course development, delivery, assessment, communication, learning management and much more.  If approved beyond the pilot phase, Desire2Learn will become the common learning management system state-wide.

Six North Dakota University System colleges and universities now are piloting the Desire2Learn system, with a goal of expanding the Desire2Learn system to all of the NDUS campuses and other state programs.  Selected summer courses are being offered via Desire2Learn; more will be offered in the fall.  Bismarck State College, Dickinson State University, Mayville State University, North Dakota State University, Valley City State University and Williston State College, as well as the Division of Independent Study, are participating in the pilot project.  Desire2Learn will help integrate course development, delivery, assessment and communication.

Desire2Learn's enterprise system is designed to support the mission-critical needs of large institutions and consortiums with the need for more advanced management of the learning environment, courses and different roles that interact within and across multiple campuses, departments and various other programs.  Desire2Learn’s unique architecture allows a single hosted environment to support the very diverse needs of multiple campuses and institutions while giving the ability to share and collaborate as a group, and to retain appropriate autonomy at the respective levels.

"Ultimately, adoption of a system-wide learning management system would provide a centrally hosted, virtual teaching and learning environment, thus reducing individual campus costs for training, technical support and the production and delivery of courses," said Robert L. Potts, North Dakota University System chancellor.  "A system-wide learning management system would create an enhanced learning environment for online courses as well as those that are a blend of online and classroom delivery."

"We are pleased to be working with the North Dakota University System and look forward to helping it achieve its vision of providing the best available technology for teaching and learning," said John Baker, Desire2Learn president and CEO.  "We believe that our enterprise learning platform will provide the best possible experience for their staff, students and faculty, and will help NDUS to expand collaboration across the state."

NDUS campuses began using learning management systems at varying levels in 1996 and currently use four different software applications.  The initial focus of the pilot project is to convert online courses from the current applications into the Desire2Learn system.  The Higher Education Computer Network (HECN), which provides information technology resources and services to the campuses, is hosting and supporting the common system.  Servers are in place and configured, and site administrators and some faculty members have received Desire2Learn training.

About Desire2Learn Inc.

Desire2Learn Inc. is a world-leading provider of enterprise learning systems that empower education organizations to build teaching and learning environments that reflect their vision and objectives.  Desire2Learn clients include colleges, universities, schools, as well as associations and other leading organizations.  There are more than 2.5 million users of the Desire2Learn enterprise eLearning technology worldwide.  Founded in 1999, Desire2Learn is headquartered in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.  For more information, please visit: www.Desire2Learn.com

About the North Dakota University System

The North Dakota University System (NDUS) is made up of 11 public colleges and universities governed by the State Board of Higher Education.  The NDUS includes two doctoral universities, one master's degree-granting university, three universities that offer bachelor's degrees and five two-year colleges that offer associate and trade/technical degrees.  For more information, please visit: www.ndus.edu

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