#Canada #Ottawa #D2L Brightspace #Educational Innovation #University of Ottawa

University of Ottawa Strengthens Partnership with D2L Brightspace

In a significant step towards enhancing educational experiences, the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) has announced a 12-year renewal of its partnership with D2L Brightspace. As a global leader in learning innovation, D2L aims to provide a more connected and individualized learning environment for students and faculty alike.

Known as the world’s largest English-French bilingual university, uOttawa is dedicated to creating inclusive and innovative learning opportunities. For nearly ten years, the university has relied on D2L Brightspace as its chosen educational platform, enabling the implementation of their learning transformation strategy, which emphasizes pedagogical advancement and accessibility.

John Baker, President and CEO of D2L, emphasized the alignment of this long-term partnership with uOttawa's vision for educational innovation. He stated, "The University of Ottawa asked for a learning platform that is bilingual by design and enables the pedagogical innovation that will help build a strong foundation to create more innovative learning experiences."

Enhancing Learning Experiences

D2L Brightspace facilitates a unified learning experience, with approximately 98% of uOttawa’s students utilizing the platform. It also supports 85% of the institution’s faculty in fostering effective and coherent course designs. The platform enables the delivery of over 4,000 online and hybrid courses every term, ensuring a robust educational structure.

Pascal Wickert, Interim Director of the Teaching and Learning Support Service at uOttawa, noted the transformative power of D2L Brightspace in student learning. He remarked, "It provides engaging tools that transform the way students learn. It also supports faculty by facilitating their work and encouraging them to focus on their teaching and research." This technology ultimately furthers the university's mission of developing informed, impactful citizens of tomorrow.

Accessibility and Innovation

With D2L Brightspace, uOttawa seeks to empower educators to create engaging, bilingual courses that are easier to access. Faculty members can utilize resources like D2L Creator+ and H5P to integrate interactive content, catering to diverse learner needs. Furthermore, built-in accessibility features ensure that all students can engage fully within the learning environment, both physically and online.

Alain St-Amant, Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs at uOttawa, highlighted the stability provided by a long-term contract with D2L, stating, "Any upgrades they make to their courses will have lasting value, and they need not worry about porting content to any new environment in the near future." This consistency is crucial for effectively supporting a vast number of students and faculty members.

Looking Forward

The extended partnership positions uOttawa to explore further growth opportunities, particularly in expanding online learning offerings for Francophone students residing in remote areas. Additionally, there are plans to introduce new professional skills training programs through D2L Course Merchant.

To summarize, D2L Brightspace is proving to be instrumental in teaching and learning at the University of Ottawa. With a commitment to ongoing innovation and inclusivity, the university is well-prepared to meet the evolving educational needs of students and faculty for years to come.

About D2L

D2L is dedicated to enhancing the learning experience on a global scale, striving to inspire learners to achieve their goals. The company's mission focuses on making education engaging, effective, and human-centered. D2L serves a wide spectrum of learners—from K-12 to higher education and professional development—enabling them to realize their full potential.