Saint Joseph's College of Maine Selects Desire2Learn to Improve Student Engagement with ePortfolio and Analytics Offerings

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 30, 2014) - Desire2Learn (D2L), the EdTech company that created the world's first truly integrated learning platform (ILP), today announced that Saint Joseph's College of Maine has selected its ILP to track learning outcomes and increase retention and student engagement through the Desire2Learn ePortfolio and analytics offerings. The selection process was narrowed down to three finalists, with D2L chosen for its robust functionality, strong mobile applications, easy access for remote students, comprehensive grading features, and video anywhere capability that supports audio and video feedback directly within assignments.

Educators at the college will use ePortfolio to foster reflective learning practices among students, a technique that allows learners to look back on what they have learned, improve their skills over time through charted progress, and articulate that material back to their intended audience in a compelling manner. Educators and students alike will be able to master this learning technique through the use of the Desire2Learn ILP, which combines all of the innovative learning tools necessary to achieve more personal and engaging learning experiences.

Desire2Learn Learning Object Repository will be used to provide a common repository for eLearning objects for faculty within both the online and on-ground academic programs to facilitate collaboration and consistency in the development of instructional materials. Lecture capture technology provided by D2L will support new pedagogical models and enrich every student's learning experience. Desire2Learn Capture will allow Saint Joseph's College to effortlessly deliver a synchronized audio, video and presentation-rich media experience.

"Our situation is unique in that in addition to serving a standard student population, we also have a large and robust program for adult and online learners that needs to be factored into any decision we make," said Dr. Michael Pardales, Saint Joseph's vice president and chief learning officer. "Our decision to go with Desire2Learn was made in large part because of the technology's ability to integrate seamlessly with our Campus Café, giving us the advanced learning analytics we needed to improve student success and the functionality to empower students to easily access course materials online."

"Saint Joseph's College serves a dynamic range of student types and they need flexible learning tools and technology to be able to address the specific needs of each individual student," said John Baker, D2L president and CEO. "Desire2Learn was able to provide the college with an adaptable, integrated solution that enabled them to use analytics to assess student retention and outcomes and give its students the ability to learn anywhere, at any time, from both on- and off-campus locations."

Saint Joseph's College serves an on-campus population of 1,000 students, in addition to 3,500 online students from all fifty U.S. states and more than thirty countries worldwide. Implementation of the Desire2Learn ILP at the college will begin this summer.

About Saint Joseph's College

Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic college, providing a supportive, personalized, and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 430-acre campus on the shore of Sebago Lake, the college offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.

About Desire2Learn

Desire2Learn (D2L) is the pioneer of the integrated learning platform, delivering an engaging and personalized learning experience for every individual. With a focus on improving the learning experience, the company partners with thought-leading institutions and organizations to accelerate learning and improve results. D2L's solutions are fully accessible to all, ensuring that learning is available to everyone regardless of geography or ability. A global leader in EdTech, D2L provides an open and extensible platform for more than 1,100 clients and 13 million learners in higher education, K12, healthcare, government and the enterprise sector, including Fortune 1000 companies. D2L has operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Brazil and Singapore. For more information, visit: http://www.Desire2Learn.com.