Village Gamer

Turnitin, a California-based originality checking and online grading service provider and Toronto’s innovative learning solutions provider Desire2Learn, announced yesterday at FUSION 2012  significant usability and functionality enhancements to the integration of GradeMark with Desire2Learn Learning Suite 10. This enhanced integration of Turnitin’s award-winning online grading tool provides Desire2Learn users with richer grade collection capabilities in GradeMark and the ability to transfer grades to Desire2Learn Learning Environment.

“We’re excited to announce this breakthrough technology with Desire2Learn that gives thousands of our joint users expanded capabilities and an overall richer experience with Turnitin,” said Steve Golik, vice president of product management at Turnitin. “Both teams worked tirelessly on this integration and the result is impressive.”

Instructors employing the new integration with Turnitin can now save up to 50 percent of their grading time when evaluating student writing by using the GradeMark drag-and-drop QuickMark® comments, grading rubrics, and voice comments. U.S. customers will also have access to ETS® e-rater® grammar checking technology and writing handbooks that are integrated with Turnitin. All customers will experience additional flexibility and an easier interface with the Desire2Learn Learning Suite 10 integration.

“Desire2Learn continues to focus on delivering innovative solutions focused on helping to transform learning,” said Jeremy Auger, CTO and Executive VP, Desire2Learn. “This richer integration with Turnitin offers educators a valuable extension to our platform that makes an impact on learning and outcomes.”

The new features of the integration were presented at a Turnitin user group meeting at FUSION 2012 yesterday, and a recent webcast unveiling the integration to key Turnitin and Desire2Learn customers is available on the Turnitin website.