Cynthia S. Morgan
Kennesaw State University
ITEC 7445
Fall 2012

Desire2Learn
Desire2Learn is an learning management system that can be used to supplement traditional classes or to support a fully online class.
Teachers have many tools available to enhance the online experience such as posting course content, online discussion forum, and online quizzing all in one location that’s accessible anywhere there is an internet connection.

Desire2Learn
("What features are," 2011)

Desire2Learn
The Bibb County Technology Mission Statement states,
“Technology will be promoted, not in isolation, but as an
integrated instructional tool that will enhance teaching and learning process through effective use, assist in the development of problem solving skills, encourage cooperative learning, improve creative writing skills, and improve research and communication skills. We will foster the vision of a connected community with access to
technology in any place at any time. Technology will bridge the gaps that exist in the educational setting including age, gender, race, and socioeconomic income.”
("Technology services," )

Desire2Learn
• Desire2Learn can be used at all levels K-12.
– In the lower grades (K-5) it can be used as a repository for sharing resources with students and parents.
– As the student moves into middle school (6-8) more tools such as online quizzing, interactive discussion can be integrated.
– By high school students will fully integrating Desire2Learn as their primary learning environment.
• To ensure equitable access to the technology, Desire2Learn is available on several platforms (P.C., Apple, mobile).
Additionally Desire2Learns provides robust suite of tools and an interface that is easy of use, while still allowing flexibility to adapt to specific school environments.

Desire2Learn
• Desire2Learn has a variety of hosting options – central, regional or local.
• The most cost effective option is central hosting. This option provides for a off site server farm staffed
• At this time a regional option is not available, this could be a future option is the Georgia Department of Education implements
Desire2Learn and funds this option of hosting.
• The most costly option would be local hosting. Dedicated server with adequate data redundancy would be required, as would adequate staffing to ensure 24 hour technical support.
• School level hardware is already in place through prior grants, with high speed networking upgrades currently in process with an expected completion data of the
July 2013.

Desire2Learn
• The following client-side personnel will be required for successful implementation:
• Project Manager: The main point of contact for
Desire2Learn, coordinates all client-side deliverables and communication.
• Networking Specialist: Required to manage network configuration changes (i.e. DNS entries, firewall changes, SSL implementation, etc)
• User Directory Administrator: Creates and maintains directory of users and courses.
• Training, Client-Side Technical Support Specialist: Works with teachers and students on how to use Desire2Learn, provides professional development, and troubleshoots client-side technical issues.

Desire2Learn
• Limitations of integration of Desire2Learn system wide would be availability to technology outside the school environment.
• Some progress has been made with the
Connect2Compete initiative which provides low cost computers and internet to students with free/reduced lunch.

Desire2Learn
• Desire2Learn is priced on a student enrollment. The larger the buying power, the lower the cost per student. For this project, I was unable to get actual pricing because I was told it was proprietary. I was able to find a proposal showing:
• Initial Setup cost
» LMS Set Up $74,000
» Training $40,000
• Annual Fees
» LMS $8.50 - $22/ per student fees (dependent on total students enrolled)
» Standard Support $5,500/year
• Optional/Additional Fees
» Desire2Learn Hosting (based on 75,000) $307,500/year
» SIS Integration $12,500 – 20,000 per inegration
» SIS Integration Maintenance $5,000/year
» Training (14 instructor training, 8 admin training) $2,500/day
("Learning management system," 2010)

Desire2Learn
• Funding is provided through Race To The Top education initiative.

References
Technology services. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://bibb.k12.ga.us/technology.html
What features are available in desire2learn?. (2011,
October 27). Retrieved from http://web.mnstate.edu/instrtech/training/d2l/gettin g_started/unit01/d2l_unit014.html
Learning management system / wtcs-pc rfi 10-0409.
(2010, May 05). Retrieved from http://dept.fvtc.edu/wtcspc/rfi 100409 D2L Ltd.
Response to WTCS RFI 10-0409.pdf