D2L

D2L (or Desire2Learn) is a global software company with offices in the United States, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Europe, and Brazil. It is the developer of the Brightspace learning management system, which is a cloud-based software suite used by schools, institutes of higher education, and businesses for online and blended classroom learning.[1][2][3] D2L is the developer of Open Courses, a Massive Open Online Course platform. The acronym D2L stands for Desire 2 Learn (Desire to learn).

Desire2Learn [D2L]
Typeprivate
IndustryCloud Software: Educational technology
Founded1999
Headquarters
Kitchener, Ontario
,
Canada
Key people
BrandsBrightspace
Number of employees
900+

Startup

John Baker, president and CEO of Desire2Learn speaking at Guelph University[4]

D2L was founded in 1999 by president and CEO John Baker at the University of Waterloo.[5][6][7] Today the company has over 800 employees. Baker is a Canadian entrepreneur. He founded D2L while studying systems design engineering during his third year at Waterloo.[8] He was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross in 2017—earned for his work to advance learning across the country and around the world.[9] Baker is on the governing council of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council[10] and the Board of Directors for the National Ballet School.[11]

Developments

In 2004, D2L first introduced support for Competency Based Education, and launched an integrated ePortfolio product to allow learners to document their own learning.[12][13] The company became the recipient of the 2012 Platinum Learning Impact Award in the event hosted by IMS Global.[14] In 2013, D2L was recognized by the National Federation of the Blind for its leadership in Accessibility with the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award.[15] Three years later, the company partnered with the National Federation of the Blind's Strategic Nonvisual Access Partner program to ensure learning systems are fully accessible.[16][17] That same year, DSL launched a beta of a redesigned interface using responsive web design to offer full functionality on mobile devices, which saw general release in 2017.[18] PC Mag report that this change "brings Brightspace into line with Instructure Canvas LMS".[19]

Funding and acquisitions

In 2011, D2L acquired Captual Technologies Inc.[20] and the technology is now known as Brightspace Capture.[21] The next year, the company raised $80 million in financing.[22][23] In 2013, D2L acquired Wiggio, and Knowillage Systems Inc., the creator of the adaptive learning engine called LeaP.[24][25][26][27] In 2014, D2L raised an $85 million series B financing round,[28][29][30] and acquired the Achievement Standards Network (ASN) to be an open API and open data system for global curriculum standards.[31]

Patent battle

In 2006, D2L and Blackboard were involved in a legal dispute over issues related to a US Patent.[32][33][34] D2L won the patent case on appeal at the Federal Circuit, and invalidated the patent at the USPTO.[35][36][37] In December 2009, the companies issued a joint press release indicating that legal proceedings had ended.[38]

Products and services
D2L Fusion convention in Kissimmee, Florida, 2019

Brightspace

D2L's first Learning Environment clients included University of Guelph, VirtualHighSchool, the University of Waterloo and Fanshawe College. The technology is now used by over 1200 schools, colleges, universities, and businesses around the world.[39]

Brightspace was built using microservices and operates as a software as a service.[40] It incorporates Web Components and Google Polymer, HTML5, and responsive web design to provide a user interface that can work on any mobile device.

Brightspace combines a Learning Environment, ePortfolio, Learning Repository, Video Recorder, Virtual Classroom, eTextbook platform called Binder, and Mobile apps, in one cloud-based platform.[41]

In May 2020, Brightspace signed an agreement with Stockholm-based edtech company RepresentEdTech to resell and distribute its cloud-based learning platform in the Nordic region.[42]

Engagement Plus

Engagement Plus combines a cloud-based Lecture Capture system, interactive components for engaging course design, and a Course Catelog/Registration System.[43]

Performance Plus

Performance Plus is a bundle of learning analytics to help automate tasks and identify risks. An adaptive learning engine personalizes the content for each learner. Learning Analytics and Intelligent Agents provide early intervention to help learners. And a set of data that can be used to make improvements based upon analysis.[44]

In 2016, Fast Company recognized D2L as a leader in Data Science.[45]

Open Courses

In 2008, D2L entered the massive open online course MOOC market to support MOOC pioneers Stephen Downes and George Siemens.[46] D2L then launched Open Courses to facilitate experimentation with new pedagogy and develop new ways to reach global learners.

The University of Tasmania used D2L's MOOC platform to support tens of thousands of learners with >70% of those students starting the courses finishing, bucking the trend of low completion rates in large MOOCs.[47]

Services

D2L's services include: cloud-based learning system, end-user help desk support, technical account management, technical data management, advisory consulting, program management, training, course development, customization, and accessibility design support.[48]


References
  1. Tony Wan (July 14, 2014). "The Sum of Desire2Learn's Acquisitions: Brightspace". Edsurge News.
  2. Joseph Czikk (July 15, 2014). "Desire2Learn Launches New Integrated Platform Called Brightspace". BetaKit.
  3. Dian Schaffhauser (2014-07-14). "D2L Unveils Revamped Platform 'Brightspace' with Adaptive Learning". THE Journal.
  4. "Leadership Team | About D2L". D2L.
  5. missing detail
  6. "EPC Spotlight-Desire2Learn". Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
  7. "D2L - Complete profile - Canadian Company Capabilities - Industries and Business - Industry Canada". www.ic.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  8. "From the President: It began in Waterloo". The Greentree Gazette. March 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-03-15. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
  9. Gazette, Government of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Integrated Services Branch, Canada. "Canada Gazette – Government House". www.gazette.gc.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
  10. Council, Government of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research. "Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council". www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
  11. "National Ballet School". National Ballet School About Us.
  12. "Desire2Learn Supports Educators Striving to Enhance Student Learning Outcomes | D2L". D2L. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  13. "Desire2Learn Competencies and Rubrics: Part I". e-Literate. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  14. "Learning Impact 2012 Award Winners | IMS Global Learning Consortium". www.imsglobal.org. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
  15. "National Federation of the Blind Awards $50,000 | National Federation of the Blind". nfb.org. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  16. "The Question of Blindfolds". nfb.org. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  17. "D2L Partners With National Federation of the Blind to Help Make Learning Accessible to All | Press Release | D2L". D2L. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  18. "D2L Closes the Desktop-Mobile Gap With Summer16 Release -- The Classroom of the Future Is Finally in Hand | Press Release | D2L". D2L. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  19. "D2L Brightspace LMS". PCMAG. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  20. "Desire2Learn acquires small e-learning firm". www.therecord.com. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  21. "Brightspace Capture | Brightspace". Brightspace by D2L. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  22. "Desire2Learn finally accepts venture investment". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. 2012-09-04.
  23. Ki Mae Heussner (September 4, 2012). "As ed tech heats up, Desire2Learn raises $80M in its first VC round". Gigaom.
  24. Ingrid Lunden; Rip Empson (March 8, 2013). "Flush with $80M, Desire2Learn Buys 'Anti-Sharepoint for Students' Platform Wiggio, Its 2nd Acquisition in 2 Months". TechCrunch.
  25. "Desire2Learn Acquires Wiggio". EdSurge News. March 8, 2013.
  26. CHRISTINA FARR (September 9, 2013). "Desire2Learn acquires Knowillage to bring personalized learning to classrooms". VentureBeat.
  27. Jacob Serebrin (2013-09-09). "Desire2Learn Goes for Deep Analytics with Acquisition of Knowillage Systems". Techvibes.
  28. Kolodny, Lora (2014-08-14). "Desire2Learn Raises $85M to Deliver 'Personalized Education'". The Wall Street Journal.
  29. "Canada's Desire2Learn raises $85 mln for global e-learning push". Reuters. 2014-08-14.
  30. "Bloomberg Business". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 2015-01-26.
  31. "Desire2Learn Acquires The Achievement Standards Network From JES & CO" (Press release). Marketwire. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  32. Note: Patent # 6988138.
  33. "Blackboard Inc. v. Desire2Learn Inc. Complaint" (PDF).
  34. "Federal Circuit Rules in Favor of Desire2Learn Across the Board". Archived from the original on 2010-12-25. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
  35. "Blackboard, D2L Announce Patent Cross License Agreement and Settlement of Litigation". Archived from the original on 2012-11-29. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  36. Darcy, Darlene (Jul 27, 2009). "Court rules against Blackboard in patent case". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  37. USPTO Image File Wrapper Petition Decisions 0492. USPTO.
  38. "Blackboard Settles Longstanding Patent Fight With Rival Desire2Learn". Retrieved 2010-12-14.
  39. "Grow me the money". www.cpacanada.ca. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  40. "Brightspace Cloud | D2L". D2L. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  41. "Brightspace Core Products & Support | D2L". D2L. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  42. Hamdani, Zahra. "RepresentEdTech to provide D2L Brightspace across Nordics". Global Education Times. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  43. "Engagement Plus | Multimedia & Creative Package for Brightspace | D2L". D2L. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  44. "Performance Plus | Learner Data & Success Package for Brightspace | D2L". D2L. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  45. "D2L: Most Innovative Company | Fast Company". Fast Company. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  46. http://halfanhour.blogspot.ca/2014/12/open-education-moocs-and-opportunities.html
  47. http://www.utas.edu.au/wicking/understanding-dementia/data
  48. "eLearning Services | D2L". D2L. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
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