University of Surrey to Implement Desire2Learn Learning Suite
Desire2Learn U.K. Ltd., a member of the Desire2Learn family of companies, has announced that England’s University of Surrey will be implementing Desire2Learn® Learning Suite across several faculties and departments within the institution. The six year agreement will see implementation of the Desire2Learn platforms begin in October 2011 with the system due to go-live in August 2012 for the 2012/2013 academic year.
The system, which will include mobile applications, will allow students to work virtually with others on their courses through group work, discussions and blogs. Lecturers will be able to set coursework and interact virtually with students through more innovative approaches putting all course information and interaction in one place, creating a robust learning platform.
The new Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), replacing and vastly improving the current system, will mean thousands of students can learn through a flexible and innovative computer system that provides them with more choice.
Professor Christopher Snowden, Vice Chancellor of the University of Surrey, says: “This is an exciting innovation for the students and the University to let everyone use the latest technology to further their studies and enjoyment of learning.”
“The system enables us to enhance the teaching and learning process and provides us the flexibility to allow students to learn in personalised ways” Snowden adds.
The University currently has 17,900 students registered in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Four faculties will be involved – Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, and the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. The implementation will also involve a number of internal departments, including Library and Learning Support Services, IT Services, Registry, the Centre for Education and Academic Development and the Student Union.
The University’s main campus is in Guildford, Surrey, U.K. The University also has global partnerships that exist with other universities in various countries around the world and an international partnership with the Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China.
“We’re very pleased to be partnering with the University of Surrey which is well-known for its visionary approach to teaching and learning,” states John Baker, Director, Desire2Learn UK Ltd. “The pioneering efforts of Surrey, in both technical offerings and teaching methods, are an excellent complement to our own beliefs that learning technologies should extend learning opportunities for all.”
