Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


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.

Featured

  • Blue digital wireframe classical building structure

    Before AI, Fix Your Data

    Institutions don't have to solve every data problem before they can begin using AI responsibly. But they do need to treat information as a strategic asset — not a byproduct of operations — and start building toward AI-ready data now.

  • Digital cyberspace with particles and Digital data

    Report: AI Is Moving Faster than Data Trust

    AI agents are already in use or pilot at most organizations, but data visibility, governance and precision recovery capabilities have not kept pace, according to Veeam's new Data & AI Trust Gap report.

  • digital partnership handshake with glowing network effect

    Microsoft and OpenAI Rework Alliance, Loosening Exclusive Ties

    Microsoft and OpenAI have adjusted the terms of their high-profile partnership, signaling a shift in how the two companies will collaborate as competition in the AI market intensifies.

  • cyber security padlock

    AI Adoption Forces Trade-Off Between Speed and Identity Security, Study Finds

    AI adoption is forcing enterprises to trade security for speed — and identity controls are the first casualty, according to a new report from Delinea, a provider of identity security solutions for both human and AI agent identities.