Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Iowa College Adopts New LMS To Move Beyond 'Managing' Learning

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 01/29/15

An Iowa college is replacing its legacy learning management system (LMS) in an effort to move from managing learning to improving it. Kirkwood Community College, which has about 23,400 students, is adopting D2L's Brightspace. The new LMS, nicknamed "Talon" for the school's mascot, an eagle, will be fully in place by fall 2015.

After conducting surveys, the institution's Learning Technology Advisory Committee had settled on three finalist products, including D2L Brightspace. According to Web coverage of the decision, criteria included cost, key features, assessments, capabilities, mobile support and browser support. For the final review, faculty, students and staff scored the choices, and D2L won "by a large majority."

"We felt our previous LMS technology was only focused on managing learning, which simply isn't sufficient for the challenges we're trying to overcome today and in the future. Our faculty and students' needs have drastically changed and we are facing a new set of higher education challenges that require us to improve learning, not just manage it," said CIO and Associate Vice President Jon Neff, in a statement. "Brightspace puts the best tools in the hands of both our faculty and students, giving them the power to do just that."

The college is also investing in D2L Insights, an analytics program that integrates with the LMS and taps into other institutional data. At the course level, instructors can monitor, evaluate and predict learner performance to reach out to individual students who may be struggling or to personalize instruction. At the program and institutional levels, the analytics can be used to help the school benchmark achievements, identify areas for improvement and produce reporting for accreditation requirements.

Kirkwood isn't the only Iowa college to adopt D2L. Other users in the state include the University of Iowa, Briar Cliff University and Mercy College of Health Sciences.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Abstract neural network 3D illustration

    Intel® AI EmpowerED: The AI-Ready Campus, Delivered

    Artificial intelligence is transforming higher education, prompting institutions to rethink how they manage infrastructure, security, governance, and workforce readiness. Successful adoption requires a strategic, institution-wide approach that aligns AI initiatives with educational goals, faculty enablement, and scalable operational frameworks.

  • Minimalist binary data fragmentation

    Fragmented Data Is Quietly Undermining Student Success and Cybersecurity Hygiene

    Siloed tools, teams, budgets, and resources spread across departments and campuses generate massive amounts of data. However, fragmentation creates unnecessary exposure to security threats and inadvertently reduces student support because no one can see the whole picture.

  • broken digital lock and glowing chain

    Cybersecurity Researchers: AI Has Crossed into the Live Attack Chain

    AI is moving beyond assisting cybercriminals and beginning to operate within live attacks, according to a new report from Check Point Research. The technology is making sophisticated capabilities faster and more accessible while creating new security risks for businesses deploying their own AI systems.

  • Abstract background with digital shield made of data particles glowing blue blocking against cyber attacks

    Report: AI Attacks Push Organizations Toward Autonomous Cybersecurity Defense

    Artificial intelligence is raising the stakes of cyber conflict as attackers use the technology to accelerate reconnaissance, uncover vulnerabilities, and launch attacks faster than many security teams can respond.