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Desire2Learn Opens Mobile Developer Program

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 06/23/11

An acquisition done by Desire2Learn in November 2010 is extending its reach. The learning management system vendor has announced a new mobile developer program to encourage programmers to expand the functionality of the company's mobile platform, Desire2Learn Campus Life.

Near the end of last year, the Canadian firm purchased Canada-based Metranome, which developed mobile applications for multiple segments, not just the education field. Campus Life, launched in March 2011, was built on the Metranome platform and is one of three mobile offerings available from Desire2Learn. CampusLife includes apps for accessing campus news, maps, directories, dining hall menus, weather, sports, and other institutional services.

The other mobile products are Desire2Learn MobileWeb, which allows users to access course tools on mobile devices, and Desire2Learn 2GO, which provides content, grades, classlist, and eportfolio functionality for Blackberry devices.

Under the new program, developers can convert existing apps or develop new modules and promote them to Desire2Learn customers. Desire2Learn has made a framework and application programming interfaces available to simplify development. It will also provide licensing and distribution opportunities.

Campus Life runs on multiple platforms, including iOS for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad; as well as Android and BlackBerry.

"Desire2Learn Campus Life provides a range of extensibility options which enable our customers to optimize the solution to their unique mobile needs," said David Kruis, Director of Mobile Strategy and former founder and president of Metranome. "With our Mobile Partner Program we are further expanding this optimization by working with technology partners and third party developers to bring additional innovative features and functionality to mobile learners worldwide."

"We've expanded upon Metranome's years of mobile industry experience and their strong relationships with platform vendors in presenting this latest addition to our extensive mobile platform," added Desire2Learn CEO and President, John Baker. "Our clients are seeing higher learner retention and satisfaction rates, improved outcomes, program growth, and reduced costs."

About the Author

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

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