Press Release
D2L, a global learning technology company, recently announced the recipients of D2L’s 2024 Excellence Awards, which honour leaders, educators and trainers who have used D2L Brightspace to help further the innovation, progress, and betterment of learning experiences in their organizations. Nominations could have been submitted for an individual, team, program, or organization.
“We are proud to celebrate the creative ways in which clients around the world are using D2L Brightspace to transform learning experiences and inspire learners to achieve more,” said John Baker, CEO and Founder of D2L. “The clients recognized in our 2024 Excellence Awards are leaders that understand the impact better learning experiences have in creating a competitive advantage and better outcomes, and are investing in new ways of providing professional development to enable their workforces to embrace change.”
Chattanooga State Community College
Like many other colleges and universities nationwide, Chattanooga State Community College (CSCC) faced a significant challenge with low success rates in their Introductory Statistics course, disproportionately affecting marginalized, Pell-eligible and first-generation students. To address this, CSCC implemented a multifaceted solution combining D2L Brightspace with Open Educational Resources, increasing student success rates while having an impact on student financial barriers. By integrating real-world projects and embedded Learning Assistants into the curriculum, CSCC fostered engagement and support, leading to substantial improvements, particularly among historically marginalized groups. This innovative approach not only helped to empower learners but also helped to promote collaboration among educators and positions Chattanooga State as a leader in equitable and inclusive education.
Gwinnett Online Campus
Leveraging D2L Brightspace, Gwinnett Online Campus (GOC) developed comprehensive training programs for both educators and students, simulating live classroom experiences and tailoring resources to individual needs. This innovative solution resulted in a 94% teacher retention rate and helped to empower over 18,000 students to excel in the online environment. GOC’s commitment to equity and accessibility helps to see that students can receive the necessary support, leading to widespread acclaim from students and parents. By GOC working with D2L to help facilitate the adaptation and scaling of training efforts, they were able to solidify further their position as a pioneer and catalyst for positive change in online education.
Kennesaw State University
Enhancing online course availability, increasing student enrollment and the need for professional development for faculty were among the challenges that Kennesaw State University (KSU) faced throughout the last few years. As KSU grappled with a surge in student numbers that exceeded course capacities and threatened to overburden educators, the organization recognized the need for digital adoption for in-person courses through D2L Brightspace, which would require subsequent faculty training in utilizing the tool. By leveraging D2L and using key tools like Content, Discussions, Quizzes and Assignments, KSU was able to develop high-quality courses to help train faculty in supporting the online migration, amounting to 1,000+ micro-credentials issued through D2L Brightspace. KSU championed the accessibility of learning within their institution, showcasing the power behind helping to meet students where they are.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
At Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) embarked on a quest to achieve inclusive excellence by transforming their international TA (ITA) onboarding process with the use of Virtual Classroom and Video Assignments (Virtual Classroom) and D2L. By striving to address a need for accessible, on-demand training and interview-prepping process for international teacher assistants before their arrival on campus, CTE leveraged D2L tools and features like Virtual Classroom to help revise their approach. Reimagining ITA onboarding through empathy, equity, and innovation, CTE was able to help reduce stress levels for all stakeholders involved, increase brand identification and inclusivity, and improve operational efficiency by 80%.
United Food and Commercial Workers Union Canada
Catering to an ever-evolving modern workforce that demands flexibility, relevance, and accessibility in their learning and upskilling opportunities, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Canada (UFCW Canada) developed On-the-Go (OTG) modules through webCampus, the organization’s D2L-powered Learning Innovation Platform. These modules are bite-sized pieces of content which take around 15 minutes to complete, featuring short videos, interactive elements, and high visual appeal. This accessible learning solution has helped UFCW Canada to boost webCampus enrollment by 25% while simultaneously increasing OTG module completion rates to 57%, outperforming the 35-40% completion rate of traditional courses. UFCW Canada’s OTG solution is available to 250,000 workers across Canada and was created to contribute to an individual’s growth, organizational success, and adaptability in a dynamic and competitive environment.
University of Surrey
The School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) at the University of Surrey saw an increase in their student population. The teaching staff were keen to maintain the excellent student experience they had with a smaller cohort, so looked for innovative solutions that could help engage students in their learning, streamline communications and enhance feedback. The adoption of D2L Brightspace helped the University of Surrey to change to a flipped classroom that could tap into active team-based learning. The change in approach helped garner 94% student satisfaction in increasing learning motivation; the lessons learned here were disseminated and contributed to the elevation of the University of Surrey’s National Student Survey overall ranking from 102nd in 2020 to fourth in the UK by 2023.
Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana faced the challenge of preparing faculty for effective online instruction amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly due to limited familiarity with D2L Brightspace tools. To address this, they developed #LearnEverywhereXULA (LEX) and #LEX Advanced through the Center for Advancement of Teaching and Faculty Development, leveraging Brightspace for training and resources. These initiatives helped to see faculty proficiency beyond the pandemic, leading to increased tool usage and alignment with quality matters standards. With a high completion rate of 96% for LEX and positive feedback indicating practical value, Xavier University demonstrated a sustainable model for faculty development within existing resources, facilitating continuous improvement in online teaching practices. Through initiatives like #LEX Advanced, faculty expertise was cultivated, fostering dynamic and effective online learning experiences in line with the institution’s commitment to excellence in education.
Learn more about the 2024 Excellence Awards, here.
About D2L
D2L is transforming the way the world learns—helping learners of all ages achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with clients all over the world, D2L is supporting millions of people learning online and in person. Our growing global workforce is dedicated to making the best learning products to leave the world better than they found it. Learn more about D2L for K-12, higher education and businesses at www.D2L.com.
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